Holiday anxiety is common during the year-end season due to a variety of factors such as financial strain, family dynamics, and increased social obligations. Holiday anxiety can be especially difficult because the holiday season is usually associated with joy and celebration, and people may feel pressure to put on a happy face even if they are anxious or stressed. It’s vital to understand that this is normal during the holidays, and to take steps to address your worries in a healthy way.
Why is it important to manage holiday anxiety?
Managing holiday anxiety is important because it can help you enjoy the holiday season and avoid feeling overwhelmed or stressed out. When you are able to manage your holiday anxiety, you are more likely to feel calm and relaxed, which can help you better enjoy the holiday season. Additionally, managing holiday anxiety can help you take care of your overall mental and physical well-being, which is important for your overall health and well-being.
There are several strategies that you can use to manage holiday anxiety. You can practice self-care, set boundaries, take breaks, seek professional support, and read the Bible.
We invite you to pause and take a moment to reflect on these seven essential scriptures, which are helpful as you seek peace during this hectic season.
1. Isaiah 41:10: So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (NIV)
This is a message of hope and encouragement from God to the Israelites. It speaks to the Israelites’ fear and anxiety as they faced difficult challenges and uncertainties. God tells them not to be afraid because He is with them and will strengthen them. The image of God holding them up with His righteous right hand suggests His power and protection.
2. Philippians 4:6-7: Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (NIV)
These verses are a reminder to trust in God and to bring our worries and concerns to Him in prayer. The verse encourages us to pray with thanksgiving, even in difficult situations, and to trust that God will give us the peace that we need to navigate those challenges. The peace of God is described as “transcending all understanding,” suggesting that it is beyond our ability to fully comprehend or explain.
You may not understand how to relieve your holiday anxiety, but God does.
3. Psalm 55:22: Cast your burden on the Lord, and He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved. (NKJV)
This verse is often interpreted as a call to trust in God and to rely on him for support and strength in times of trouble. It encourages believers to turn to God in prayer and to trust that he will provide for their needs and protect them from harm. The verse also suggests that God is faithful and will not allow those who are righteous, or who seek to live in accordance with his will, to be shaken or overcome by difficult circumstances.
This is a reminder that we don’t have to carry the weight of our problems and worries on our own. We can turn to God and trust in His love and care for us, knowing that He will sustain us and keep us from falling.
Remember that whenever you feel anxious or stressed, especially whenever you are having holiday anxiety, it is an automatic invitation to cast your worries to God.
4. Matthew 11:28: Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (NKJV)
This verse is frequently interpreted as Jesus’ invitation to all people to come to Him for spiritual rest and relief from the difficulties and burdens of life. It implies that Jesus provides comfort and peace to those who turn to Him, and that He can help us bear our burdens and find rest for our souls.
You may still experience holiday anxiety even if you put forth your best effort during the festivities. Remember, God will provide rest.
5. John 14:27: Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. (NKJV)
This verse is commonly interpreted as Jesus’s promise to his followers that He is leaving them with a gift of peace, which He will provide to them through the Holy Spirit. The peace that Jesus gives is not the same as the temporary peace that the world can offer, but rather a deeper, more enduring peace that comes from a relationship with God. Jesus is telling His followers not to be anxious or afraid but rather to trust in Him and the peace that He gives.
6. Proverbs 12:20: Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, But counselors of peace have joy. (NASB)
This verse is suggesting that those who seek to cause harm and conflict are motivated by deceit and malice, while those who work to bring about peace and harmony are filled with joy. It emphasizes the importance of promoting peace and avoiding actions that lead to conflict and strife.
You might say that this verse is reminding us that we can all choose to be part of the solution rather than part of the problem by working to bring about peace and harmony in the world around us. By doing so, we can experience the joy that comes from being a positive force for good in the world rather than the stress that comes with it.
7. Romans 5:1: Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ (NASB)
This verse is part of a letter written by the apostle Paul to the Christian community in Rome. In this letter, Paul addresses the concept of justification, which refers to the idea that believers are made right with God through their faith in Jesus Christ. The verse suggests that through justification, believers have peace with God, meaning that they are reconciled with Him and no longer at odds with Him.
The verse also mentions Jesus Christ, who is believed by Christians to be the son of God and the savior of the world. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus made it possible for believers to be reconciled with God and to have peace with Him.
Read the Bible more often to Prevent Holiday Anxiety
Numerous scriptures in the Bible speak to the theme of healing and provide comfort and hope to those facing difficulties. Reading the Bible is just one step away from relieving your holiday anxiety and improving your day.
Find Your Inner Peace with Impact Family
Find the care and advice you need to get through the holiday anxiety period and start moving on to the next chapter of your life.
At Impact Family, we enable you to manage your mental health and plan a healthy holiday season for yourself and your loved ones. Schedule an appointment for your first intake session with us right away.