The Christmas season, for you, is anything but happy. It is a time of anxiety and pain. You do your best to stay numb to the pain and push through the season. However, you don’t want to fall in the same despair, you want to find peace and joy this Christmas season.
I know many experience pain and sorrow this time of year from what I have seen in my clients and my own experience. Therefore, as a Christian therapist, I wanted to write this letter to you. A letter that will remind you of God’s promises that will give you hope and joy, though anxiety overwhelms you and pain envelops you.
Important note; God’s promises only belong to his children, those who have accepted and received His gift of salvation. Therefore, if you are not a Christian, these promises do not apply to you. But wait. There is good news!
Jesus came and died for all. Therefore, you can receive the gift of salvation and God’s promises too. How? Check out my blog, “How to Receive Salvation.”
“And the angel said them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for ALL people.” Luke 2:10
Find Peace and Joy this Christmas Season
You are not alone
There is an expectation that we must be jolly, excited during the Christmas season. Therefore, it communicates the need to mask the pain and pretend it doesn’t exist.
The truth is, everyone has or will experience sorrow this time of year. Why? Because experiencing loss and suffering is part of this life. No one is immune from the pains of the world.
So, though it may appear that others around you are experiencing happiness and excitement, it could be, they too, are masking the pain this time of year brings.
The culture tells us to stuff down our pain, but Christianity communicates the importance of acknowledging our pain. Especially; during the Christmas season.
“as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing, as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything” 2 Corinthians 6:10
“Jesus wept.” Luke 11:35
Jesus experienced grief when his friend Lazarus died. He wept even though he knew a moment later he would raise him from the dead. Therefore, you can experience the pain while anchored to the joy of what Christmas is all about.
Understanding the true meaning of Christmas will free you from the expectations of burying the pain.
Find Peace and Joy this Christmas season by remembering the true meaning of Christmas
Our culture has gotten so far from the true meaning of Christmas. It tells us if we buy this or that; that we will be happy and our problems will be gone. However, this is a short-term solution. While things and situations may bring happiness, it is temporal. We always circle back to the feelings of longing and emptiness inside us.
No, not even Christmas cookies will satisfy the longing your soul desires.
It is easy to get off course and forget why we celebrate Christmas. The enemy likes to keep us distracted.
Christmas is about the birth of Christ and a promise fulfilled by our creator. Christ is the one who satisfies our souls and fills the void of emptiness.
“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they call his name “Immanuel” (which means. God with us). Matthew 1:23
Sin entered the world. As a result, hell was our destiny. However, because of the Lord’s amazing love for us, He brought forth his Son to save us. He died a death we should’ve died.
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16
The birth of Christ gave us salvation and hope for his soon return, in which all things will be made new. We will be with the Lord in perfect peace and love. He will wipe our tears away.
“And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God.4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” Revelation 21:3-4
The sacrifice of Christ is why we can have peace and joy even in anxiety and pain.
Happiness is circumstantial. Joy is continuous, no matter the circumstance, because of what Christ has done and what will come.
The birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus fulfilled the promises of God. Therefore, we can trust His word and faithfulness.
Find Peace and Joy this Christmas season by letting go of the Shame from Past Mistakes
I am not sure what brings you sorrow this Christmas season. It could be grief from the death of loved ones, the struggle of past trauma, or from your own mistakes in this life. It could be all these things.
Our own mistakes and shortcomings can bring trauma, shame, and pain. So many people are walking in this shame. Therefore, I wanted to speak on this issue.
You no longer need to carry the shame of your past mistakes. Christ shed His blood, so you can be free from the past that haunts you.
“But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with this wounds, we are healed.” Isaiah 53:5.
“There is therefore now no condemnation for this who are in Christ Jesus.” Romans 8:1
Leave the past and your shame at the feet of Jesus. You are made new in Christ.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 2 Corinthians 5:17
God will give you Peace and Strength in the Anxiety and Pain
Jesus gives us peace that surpasses all understanding. Keep your eyes focused on the cross, and you will receive His peace.
The world offers temporal peace. Christ offers everlasting peace.
“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you because he trusts in you.” Isaiah 26:3
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” John 14:27
We are weak, and He is strong. God is with you and hears you. He will strengthen you in the moments when it does not seem like you can carry on. Draw near to the Lord, for he is near waiting for you to call upon His name.
“I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13
“Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9
I hope this letter gave you time to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas and the promises of God, so you, no matter the pain and anxiety, can experience the peace and joy Christ offers.
“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” Romans 8:18
Amanda Conroy- Christian Therapist in Denver, CO
If you are battling anxiety and have experienced trauma, I can help.
I am a licensed Christian therapist; utilizing evidence-based treatment interventions to help people cope with anxiety and heal from trauma while aligning to the word of God.
To learn more about me and my experience, check out my about me page.
My practice is an online therapy practice in Colorado.
Online therapy services I offer in Denver and throughout Colorado:
Christian Counseling
Anxiety Treatment
PTSD Treatment/ Trauma Therapy
EMDR Therapy
Teen Counseling
It is time to step in faith and make the changes you want. Schedule your free 20-minute phone consultation today.
Check out my getting started page to learn more.