Casting our cares on Jesus means more than just
superficially saying we are casting our cares upon Him, it means we are
actively trading our worries, anxieties and fears into prayers. It also means
we are taking those disturbing, faith-less thoughts captive and continually
renewing our minds with the truth in God’s word.
Sometimes we can get overwhelmed, especially during the
holiday season. With so much to do, so many friends and family to visit, and so
many gifts to buy with a limited budget. It can get overwhelming if we have
difficult or even dysfunctional relatives or maybe even a prodigal child. Our
burdens and concerns can make us feel heavy and as if weights were put upon our
shoulders. We may even try to meet the demands and expectations of everyone,
this can be especially difficult coming from a divorced or even step-family. We
may be overwhelmed with consumerism that comes with the holidays, and feel we
have to keep up with everyone else. Some may go into debt this holiday season
or take on an extra job just to have the income to buy gifts that soon will be
thrown to the waste-side!
Some will begin to drink more heavily or use drugs just to
get through the demands and burdens of the holidays. Others will sink into a
pit of despair and depression because they either cannot keep up with the
demands and expectations, or some feel heartache from the many losses that they
may have endured. Christmas should be one of the most joyous occasions but
often we fall into the trap of pleasing others, trying to meet unrealistic
expectations, and forgetting the only reason for the Christmas season is the
celebration of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
We are so busy during the holiday season that we do not take
the time to rest with God. We must pull away from the hustle and bustle and
business of the holiday season, and unplug our phones, iPad, laptops, and other
electronic devices and plug into the source of our strength. We are not
stopping long enough to get refilled and refreshed by Jesus. It is not about
trying to please everyone, even your family, it is about Jesus and your
relationship with Him.
These
are some practical steps that you can take this holiday season to help with the
stress that often accompanies this time:
1.
Organize,
write down a “To-Do” list, and plan when possible.
2.
Have
limits (budget) on your spending before you spend.
3.
Get
creative and make homemade gifts. People will appreciate the thoughtfulness.
4.
Limit
time with unhealthy, toxic, or negative family members.
5.
Say,
“No.” You can’t be at every event, party and at every family function for the
holidays.
6.
Rest
when you can. Take time to rest because the holidays can be quite taxing
physically and mentally.
7.
Do
fun things and enjoy time with people who are enjoyable.
8.
Balance
your eating during the holidays with fresh fruit and vegetables and drink green
tea for immunity. Be sure to get some form of exercise.
9.
Carve
out frequent time to spend with the Lord. Sit in His presence and let your soul
be still before Him. Don’t go and run from place to place, but be still.
10.
Take
long, warm bubble baths and sit back and let the warm water relax your tired
muscles.
11.
Cast
all your cares, anxieties, fears, and worries unto the Lord. Casting your cares
means replacing your worries, burdens, and anxieties with prayer and taking
every thought captive and renewing your mind with the truth of God’s word.
12.
If
you are lonely, depressed, find a good, Bible-believing church and attend and
give back to others who are in difficult circumstances. Talk to someone, tell
them how you feel, let someone pray with you. Don’t suffer alone.
CAST ALL YOUR CARES on Him because
He cares for you.
1 Peter 5:7, NIV
CAST YOUR CARES on the Lord and He
will sustain you; He will never let the righteous be shaken.
Psalm 55:22, NIV
GIVE YOUR BURDENS TO THE LORD, and
He will take care of you. He will not permit the Godly to slip and fall.
Psalm 55:22, NLT
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