16 Dec Maybe the Most Stressful Time of Year

It’s a little bit of irony: sometimes the most wonderful moments in our lives can also be the most stressful: getting married, buying a house, planning a long vacation.

One thing that could definitely be added to that list: the Christmas holiday season.

And for, most likely, all of us at some level, and others among us at a greater level, the Christmas season can be a struggle.

As a pastor, I know that many people can struggle emotionally at this time of year, as considerations of loved ones who have passed on come to mind; regrets over the past year emerge; compressed schedules create anxiety; unresolved family dynamics pop up (yet) again.

Sometimes these things can become too much to bear, and one or more of these challenges (and others) can push us over the edge, especially if we felt like we were walking a little too close to the edge before the holidays got here. If you are reading this, and you know that stress triggers an unhealthy response of some kind, now is the time to be honest with yourself and loving to yourself and the people in your life.

If you are struggling, for whatever reason, please know that:

● You are not alone.
● There is help if needed.

We know we have a friend in Jesus, as the hymn says: all our sins and griefs to bear.

We have incredible pastors and leaders at Mosaic who want to see you thrive.

And we have professional counselors (a ministry we believe in); these are skilled individuals who have trained to help people in tough spots navigate tricky situations and come out better.

If you are in need of additional support this holiday season, for sure, don’t stay away!

Don’t stay away from Jesus–carve out time to connect with him every day, and make sure you attend corporate gatherings where your faith can be lifted.

Feel free to reach out to one of our staff, and please consider scheduling something with one of our trusted staff counselors. Sometimes, it’s just nice to have someone like that to talk to; I know time with a counselor and therapist has been a benefit to me in the past.

Choose today to have a great holiday season and be prepared for a great 2023–your mental and emotional health is a big part of that.

We love you and love seeing you flourish and succeed.

Merry Christmas!

Morgan