Holidays can be hard to navigate, especially when difficult emotions arise. If you’re anything like me, you tend to hide your true feelings and power through with a smile. But is there a way to deal with our emotions honestly while maintaining our hope in Christ?
Authenticity is a good starting point. Being transparent about our feelings, when it makes sense to do so, can help us move beyond pretense and rise above negative thought spirals.
So, if you’re ready to navigate complex holiday emotions with openness and honesty, I pray this season will be a turning point for you - a new way of processing your feelings with clarity and peace.
Navigate with Jesus First and Others Second
My friend, we need God, and we need each other. However, we often get this out of order when painful emotions arise. We are quick to Google the answers, post our troubles on social media, or text everyone in our contact list. But what about seeking Jesus first?
In Matthew 11:28-30, Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Why do we brush past this open invitation when complex emotions surface? Why do we overlook Jesus’ promise to give us rest? Isn’t that what we truly want? Divine rest in the middle of our difficult circumstances?
Turning to God first means we go to that secret, quiet place. It means praying instead of panicking. It means worshipping over worrying. And as we meet with our Savior, resting in the pasture of His peace, we are in a better headspace to seek wise counsel and help from others.
Imagine meeting with a trusted friend and sharing the burdens of your heart. But instead of panic or distress, you share from a place of peace because you’ve already sought counsel from the Lord. What a difference this could make in your healing process!
Navigate complicated emotions first with Jesus, then with others. This is a beautiful order that provides peace, even in the most difficult of times.
Lord, please forgive me for trying to solve my problems through Google searches and friend texts. I know You hold the solution to everything, and You call me to seek first Your kingdom and Your righteousness. Please remind me of this when complicated emotions surface this holiday season. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Navigate Your Feelings with Faith
I often pray, “Lord, by faith, I commit this situation to You.” I don’t always feel trusting or hopeful, but I believe God can perfect everything that concerns me. (Psalm 138:8)
The Lord created us to think, feel, and trust. Nowhere in the Bible does it instruct us to hide or suppress our feelings. In fact, David openly shared his emotions in these verses:
“My soul is in deep anguish. How long, Lord, how long?” (Psalm 6:3)
“Reproach has broken my heart, and I am full of heaviness; I looked for someone to take pity, but there was none; and for comforters, but I found none.” (Psalm 69:20 NKJV)
“I cry out to the Lord; I plead for the Lord’s mercy. I pour out my complaints before him and tell him all my troubles. When I am overwhelmed, you alone know the way I should turn.” (Psalm 142:1-3 NLT)
David admitted his struggles with honesty and urgency. Though he couldn’t always see the outcome, he continued to pray with the belief that God would come through. This is a clear example of navigating complex emotions with faith over feelings. So, when your soul is overwhelmed, pray in faith, believing God is working on your behalf.
Lord, I am struggling to trust that everything will work out. But by faith, I lay everything at Your feet. You are sovereign, even when my emotions try to convince me otherwise. Right now, I put my trust in You. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Navigate with Honesty and Discretion
Once we acknowledge our emotions, we might be tempted to express ourselves too freely without discretion. It’s easy to let restraint slip and share everything publicly. When I’ve done this, however, I’ve almost always regretted it. After all, there is a time and place for everything under the sun. (Ecclesiastes 3:1)
Admitting complex emotions doesn’t mean throwing people under the bus. It doesn’t mean posting pointed messages or being passive-aggressive in our language. Instead, it requires careful consideration of how Jesus would handle things. It involves the leading of the Holy Spirit, filled with His fruit.
• Let love and truth be your motivation.
• Let the joy of the Lord be your strength.
• Let the peace of God guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:7)
Discretion is a sign of Spiritual maturity, and Spiritual maturity helps us navigate complex emotions with integrity and grace. As Jesus taught in Matthew 18:15-16, “If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.”
Lord, forgive me for wanting to speak hurtful words in an attempt to get back at people. I know this isn’t your way. Please lead me by Your Spirit to deal honestly with my emotions while also being discreet. I choose to follow Your order of things so that true healing can take place. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Navigate with Hope and Perspective
Coming to terms with our deepest and most difficult emotions doesn’t mean we’ve lost hope. We can wrestle with hard things and even question the Lord without losing a heavenly perspective. The key is to set our minds on things above, not on earth below. (Colossians 3:2)
• When overwhelming sadness comes, we can look to the One who holds our tears in His bottle. (Psalm 56:8)
• When intense anger arises, we can deal with it quickly, so the devil doesn’t gain a foothold. (Ephesians 4:26)
• When extreme disappointment fills us, we can remember that our ultimate hope is in God. (Psalm 42:11)
Navigating complex emotions is much easier when we have the foundational perspective that God is sovereign. He is holy, righteous, and just. In Him, there is no darkness at all. (1 John 1:5) This means we can trust Him with every thought, feeling, and struggle. We can look to the light of His Word, which shines truth over our circumstances.
God’s perspective guards us from the deceptive emotions of hopelessness and despair. Because He knit us together in our mother’s womb, He knows the inner workings of our hearts. He created us to experience a vast array of feelings with faith and trust. What a wonderful Lord and Savior we have, who helps us navigate hard things through every season.
Lord, my perspective is sometimes clouded by my emotions, and I ask that You keep my eyes fixed on You. Your ways are higher than mine, and I know You see the big picture. Please help me navigate the holidays with peace of mind and clarity of heart. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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