Podcast Description
Some people look forward to the holidays with great anticipation and excitement while others seem to dread them. The Holidays are intended to be a time for family connection and worship as we celebrate our Lord’s birth. These are also days for relaxing and spending time with family and friends. However, the holidays can easily become chaotic and challenging, leaving us exhausted rather than refreshed. In this episode, Tim and Elaine Russo talk about how we can navigate the Thanksgiving and Christmas Holidays peacefully and managing stress better.
US News & World Report, in an article entitled, Why are the Holidays So Stressful? States that:
“In a word: stress. According to one survey, 38 percent of people said their stress level increases during the holidays. Another survey revealed that 53 percent of people feel financially stressed by holiday spending, even though more than half of the 1,000 respondents had created spending budgets.” https://health.usnews.com/wellness/mind/articles/2018-12-07/why-are-the-holidays-so-stressful
There are lots of things can cause anxiety during the holidays when it comes to family gatherings. Things like:
- Seeing family members you haven’t seen in a while, maybe years.
- Worrying about how you will appear to them.
- Worried that that “one family member” will make a scene.
- Anxiety over the convergence of different values and what the topics of conversations will be.
Other, more general things that can cause anxiety are:
- finances
- Getting that perfect gift
- Food preparations
- Where we will spend Christmas (especially if you are in a blended family)
Bibilical Passage – Portrait of Conflict
Luke 10:38-42 – Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word. 40 But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.” 41 And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. 42 “But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.” (NKJV)
Characteristics of Relational Conflict (in Mary and Martha’s Relationship)
- This event is about Jesus (like Christmas)
o We can easily overlook Jesus in the chaos of planning and busyness
- Misplaced (Different) Priorities
o Mary and Martha had very different ideas of how this event should be conducted.
o Obviously, Martha expected the day to go differently from Mary
o Obviously, Mary and Martha have a communication problem (Lord, tell her…)
“Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things.
Worried means to take thought, be anxious
The Oxford dictionary defines worry as: give way to anxiety or unease; allow one’s mind to dwell on difficulty or troubles. Synonyms are: fret, agonize, brood.
Troubled means to be disturbed and in turmoil, it could
Stress is a fact (or not). It is usually circumstantial. Pressure(expectations) from demands.
Anxiety is an internal reaction to stress (my circumstances).
- Anxiety takes place within me
- My INTERPRETATION of circumstances determines my REACTION.
Philippians 4:6-7 – Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
What can we do to prepare for a peaceful Christmas and stay connected to the ones we love?
- Assess expectations
- Are these realistic?
- Discuss these with your spouse, children, etc.
- these may need to be adjusted to be more realistic
- Allow for unplanned (unexpected) problems.
John 16:33 – These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation [troubles]; but be of good cheer [take comfort], I have overcome the world.
- Focus on the positive
- It’s about Jesus
- It’s about family
- It’s about joy
- It’s about life
- Schedule in time for rest/relaxation
Thanks for listening today, we are thankful for your comments and enjoy hearing from you.
