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Eight Ways To Beat Holiday Christmas Blues. Depression Doesn't Need To Win

With her fun personality and passion for communicating life-changing truths, Poppy Smith inspires believers to thrive spiritually and personally. Poppy’s practical how-to messages (in print or in person) uses colorful examples from her own struggles to be more like Jesus. She encourages women (and men, at times) to grow in every kind of situation—whether joyful or painful! Poppy is British, married to an American, and has lived in many countries. She brings an international flair seasoned with humorous honesty as she illustrates Bible truths. A former Bible Study Fellowship Lecturer, Poppy’s teaching challenges women to look at their choices, attitudes and self-talk. As a result, God’s speaks, changing hearts, changing minds, and changing lives.

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 Eight Ways to Beat the Blues at Christmas

By Poppy Smith

 Instead of a houseful of kids and their little ones running around laughing, crying, playing with toys and sneaking treats, this year my husband, Jim, and I will be home alone for Christmas.  My automatic reaction is to feel sad—but I am glad that all of them will be celebrating the coming of Jesus with their in-laws.  After all, we are usually the ones who get that privilege!

 But—it’s easy to be sucked down into a “poor me” mindset and play the blues, unless we decide to change our perspective.  So here are eight simple ways to help you enjoy the holidays whether you’re physically or emotionally alone. Why not join me and let’s beat those blues which aren’t where God wants us at this special time of the year—or at any time!

• Sing. Play music. Listen to the words and join in praising God. Singing is a guaranteed mood lifter and perspective changer. “Sing for joy to God our strength” Ps.81:1.
• Smile. Smile at little children. Their harried moms. The older shoppers who are trying to find just the right present. Make smiling your chosen expression (not through gritted teeth, however!). It will make you feel so much better and maybe lift up another lonely soul.
• Invite. Is there someone you haven’t had time for this past year? Could you suggest meeting for coffee, lunch, or even over to your home? Perfection isn’t needed—only a loving heart that looks beyond it’s own world.
• Rest. Remember all those too early mornings when you longed to just stay in bed? Now’s your chance. Take time to read a book of the Bible or several psalms. Choose a special book, magazine, or television program. Make or buy some once in a year yummy treats and ENJOY this gift of time!
• Scan down for other ways to win over blue feelings

Ways to Beat Holiday Blues

• Give gifts to others. Go online and look for simple Christmas recipes. Make peppermint candy or a cranberry loaf and go drop it off at a homeless shelter or place that serves those without a home. Change your perspective from looking inward to looking outward—as God our Savior did when He gave us the most amazing gift of love any one can receive.
• Write a list of your blessings. Think back over this past year. Even if it has been one of the most difficult you’ve experienced, ask God’s Spirit to show you where He was present, loving and supporting and guiding you through. He will show you something and lift your heart.
• Go to a Christmas Eve Service. Even if you’re by yourself, don’t miss the presence of God amidst the beauty of this celebration. Let your senses feast on the beauty, your ears delight in the music, your heart be moved to new heights of gratitude and love.
• Pray about your dreams for 2012. What do you want to see happen in the coming year? Have you thought about changes you want to make? New paths to walk? Write out what comes to mind when you think of taking better care of yourself physically, intellectually, emotionally and spiritually. (See my video: Take Care of Yourself, …….. or check my website on the media clips page).

May your “Home Alone” Christmas fill you with joy and a fresh awareness that Christ is with you, whether you’re surrounded by people or peacefully alone.

 

Why Endure?

Why Endure?

 Heb. 12:2 Fixing our eyes on Jesus…..who for the joy set before him endured the cross….(NIV)

 Like numerous people, I’ve lived with chronic pain which has lasted for a couple of years. Every time I pray for healing, I sense the Lord saying, “Trust in God. Endure.”

 I wonder why I should battle this when I KNOW God can heal, and does. However, the above verse suggests that I’m enduring because of great joy ahead some how and sometime.

 Recently a friend sent a poem about courage. Each morning true courage says, “I’ll live one more day, just for today.” That’s good advice for enduring.

 Dear Lord, I don’t understand why I must endure pain, but please keep me faithful and help me persevere.

What Do YOU Think?

What do you think?

 

Which would interest you the most about God?

 

Seeing Him supernaturally heal someone in a short time

 

 

or

Watching someone’s life as God strengthens that person to persevere during difficult times?

UNFAIR, So WATCH OUT!

The enemy of our souls doesn’t play fair. He sidles up and whispers to us when we’re vulnerable, maybe from fatigue, hunger, or from feeling overwhelmed.

He hopes we’ll think we’re hearing God’s quiet voice.

He suggests we solve our problems our way instead of waiting for God’s answers.
He suggests doubts about who we are—to lack confidence in our value and worth. He hopes we’ll distrust God’s unfailing love.
He urges us to ask God for help with foolish things we shouldn’t do.
He wants our worship, so promises wrong power and material gifts.

He tempted Jesus these same ways. So satan’s not at all original.

Believing (trusting) God is a choice. We can choose to trust— or not— at lightning speed. We must listen to our selves and not choose too quickly.

A Secret to Happiness

Be glad and rejoice forever in what I create. (God speaking.)
Isaish 65:18 (NKJV)

Pennies from heaven weren't for money

I still pick up pennies on my walks, but have discovered two problems.

First, if I watch the ground for money, I don’t notice the beauty all around me, or people.

Secondly, I realized that I didn’t want pennies to remind me that ‘In God We Trust.’ I wanted twenty-dollar bills—serious money.

That translates into greed—pure greed.

I thanked God for showing me my heart, asked for His forgiveness and stopped my search for stray pennies.

Super-Important Truth

Enjoying God is vital to consistent spiritual success and growth.

To enjoy God is possible only when we are confident that He always enjoys us.

That confidence arises from a right understanding of who He is…what He is truly like.

Reminder

Reminder

I try to walk at least a mile every day. For the last several weeks, two or three times a week on my walks I’ve found a penny. I then think about the rich man who picks up pennies because the inscription reminds him, “In God We Trust.”

I like that! And I now have seven pennies to help me remember that truth.

On today’s walk, however, I found a dime! But I can’t find the magnifying glass to read the letters on this coin.

Sigh

Good or Bad?

Psalm 33:5b The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.

Often we notice problems more than we see the goodness of the Lord.

The enemy of our souls fosters our attention on problems. Satan knows that if we focus on the goodness of the Lord we will thankfully praise God.

Our enemy hates praise for God. He knows, better than we do, that praise to God gives us strength, power and joy.

The earth IS full of the goodness of the Lord. Ask God to give you full awareness of that goodness.