Faith Over Festivity
Staying Spiritually Grounded When Holiday Chaos Hits
We know the holiday season can be chaotic, but it doesn’t have to be. Don’t let the pressure of the holidays disrupt the peace you’ve been maintaining all year. If we’re honest, the chaos often comes from traditions we’ve never questioned, spending habits we don’t check, and the pressure to show up at every event because we don’t want to let anyone down.
While it may sound admirable, it’s actually an dishonor to your heart and mind. I hear so many women say they feel tired, overwhelmed, and joyless during a season that’s supposed to be filled with peace. Here are some ways to stay spiritually grounded when the chaos hits:
1. Pray about your holiday schedule. I think we pray about everything except our holiday schedule. Scripture tells us that God gives us everything that pertains to life and godliness, so why wouldn’t we include Him in one of the most chaotic times of the year? Some of the plans you make every year are chaotic because, first, you didn’t include Him; and second, they don’t include His plans. November and December are regular months just like the rest of the year. If you pray about your holiday schedule and ask God what should go on it, how you should shop, and how much you should spend, you can eliminate most, if not all, of the chaos. Stop running around just because it’s what your mother and grandmother did.
2. Don’t pressure build. When this issue comes out, it’ll be the first week of November. That means whatever you haven’t already done —like creating a gift list, travel list, or houses-to-visit list—don’t pressure build. The clock isn’t running out on things that are supposed to be leisure. Consider that if it hasn’t made it onto your calendar yet, it may be because you don’t actually want to do it, and that’s okay. Pressure building only leads to burnout and unnecessary frustration.
3. Release the need to people-please. Many of the things women do during the holidays are tied to traditions they never questioned. This doesn’t mean you must throw everything out, but it does mean you need to evaluate whether you’re doing certain things just to please others. There’s nothing wrong with having ham and turkey every year because it’s tradition, but if it’s costing you more than you anticipated, you have to be okay stepping away from the norm. The same applies to trying to visit everyone you love. It sounds fun when the invitation comes, but after the third house, when you’re running low on gas and energy, the joy is gone. Look at the areas where you’ve been people-pleasing over the past few years and trim what needs trimming.
4. Spend time in God’s Presence by booking a getaway. If you’re going to travel this holiday season, consider booking a three-day getaway with just you and God, or with your family and God. Sometimes, by this time of year, we need to breathe and decompress. And for some people, the holidays aren’t as fun as they used to be.
Dare to do something different by focusing on the One who helps you keep going. Too often, we try to pull God into chaos He never intended for us to experience. Find ways to create a rhythm with Him during this season beyond the Christmas Eve service.
5. Guard your heart against family tension by choosing the family that brings you peace.
Holidays are often about spending time with family, and while we may want that to mean blood relatives, sometimes protecting your heart and mind requires being with the people who bring you peace. This could be a church community or friends who invite you into their family space. I’m learning that many women don’t enjoy being around their families during the holidays, and for them, this season is more of a trigger than a source of comfort. It’s okay to lean into a different “bloodline” for peace this year.
We underestimate how much God wants to be included in our daily activities, and that includes the holiday season. This should be a time of joy, but for many, it becomes a time of stress and pressure. By the end of it, they don’t realize how many times they’ve said, “I can’t wait for the holidays to be over.” There are ways to reclaim your joy this season, and it starts with discovering what truly brings you joy. If giving gifts does, great. If cooking a big dinner for your family does, even better. But make sure you’re giving out of love, not a toxic desire to be seen or needed, and that you’re cooking from a place of service, not bitterness.
Check your heart this holiday season by choosing faith over festivities and reclaim your joy and peace.
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