Help for the Sorrowful This Christmas

For some, Christmas is “the most wonderful time of the year…” 

For others, Christmas is a time of sorrow. There’s the empty seat of a loved one who’s passed away or the pile of stuff and guilt created by over spending. There’s loneliness and the disappointment of a fractured family, or job loss and rising debt. In the book of Lamentations, Jeremiah said, “I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall. I well remember them, and my soul is downcast within me. Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord’s great love, we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” (Lamentations 3:19-23)

God’s faithful and worthy of trusting in our pain. Lean on Him and take care of yourself. Sleep, eat a healthy diet, and exercise daily. Go outside and breathe deeply. Watch the sun rise and set. Look to the stars that He knows by name. Don’t isolate yourself, but watch your spending. Avoid shopping if you can’t afford it. Write notes, make gift cards and spend time serving others. It gets your mind off yourself and puts things in perspective. God’s in control, reigning on high, and blessing us in ways we cannot see. Give thanks for big and little things. Gratitude will bring you joy and peace that surpasses all understanding. So rest in your rock and fortress, who is an ever-present help in times of trouble.

And if your spending habits have you overloaded with credit card debt, I recommend Christian Credit Counselors. They’ll create a debt management plan just for you. For more information call the Crown Helpline: 800-722-1976 or visit online at crown.org/ccc.