Are you feeling depressed? Alone? Like nobody cares or understands? You’re not alone. I have a confession to make…I have wrestled with the torrent of depression. In my darkest days, I felt alone, helpless, and hopeless. Fortunately, now, I am on the other side. But, when I look back on the dark night of my soul, there are things that I wish people had said to me back then to offer me hope.
Have you ever created a wish list for Christmas as a grown-up? This year, what I wanted more than anything for Christmas was peace for my family and peace for my heart. As I read over Philippians 4:6-7, God’s command to tell Him what we need really jumped out at me. What I wanted most was something only He could provide. Asking God for what I need became the impetus for My Grown-Up Christmas Wish List. It’s not just for Christmas, but for the whole upcoming year.
How do you handle the depression that results from feelings of inadequacy during the Christmas holidays? Perhaps financial stressors or other unfortunate circumstances have you feeling down and challenged in giving. Read more for other ways you can say goodbye to the tyranny of commercialism and still show love through giving.
Running and doing can be exhausting. Through rest, God offers peace. Sometimes the very thing we run from is the thing we need the most. Are we willing to trust that God knows what is best and His plan for us is good? Read more for how to surrender to God and risk rest.
Have you ever wanted to run away? Or, hide yourself from your friends and even from God? Me too. But what I learned is that is the wrong question. The better question is to ask: Who are you running to? Even Hagar in the Bible tried to run away into the wilderness but she wasn’t able to run away from God. He met her right where she was.
