Christmas the season where most people get depressed

🦋

Give yourself time

experience the journey

spread your wings

fly toward your destiny

 “Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why are you restless and disturbed within me? Hope in God and wait expectantly for Him, for I shall again praise Him, The help of my [sad] countenance and my God.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭43‬:‭5‬ ‭AMP‬‬

I was reading an article where according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, about 1 in 5 adults suffer from depression or anxiety. The holiday season, in addition to this being the time of year when there are shorter periods of sunlight, can cause some people to battle depression or anxiety even more. But there are other circumstances that can add to the list of reasons one might have a harder time during the holidays.

Unfortunately, The reasons given include lack of time, financial pressure, gift giving, and family gathering. To make matters worse, the National Alliance on Mental Illness noted that 64% of individuals living with a mental illness felt that their conditions worsened around Christmas and holidays gatherings. 

For many, the holidays are the most difficult time of the year to live through. Depression rates rise during holidays. Many are hurting all around the world. Most people like to focus on giving the most expensive gifts even when unable to. Christmas is not about giving nor was Jesus born on Christmas. Christmas is about loving, spending family time and caring. What’s the point of giving the most expensive gift and not loving the whole year? I rather have love the whole year, then one christmas gift out of obligation. I would rather have a shoulder to cry on, a hug, a good listener, someone  who cares, and the love and respect of family and friends; than a Christmas. People spend too much money and time on materialistic things and less on their health and mental stability.  The Bible clearly says “for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law”. Love is not self seeking neither is to dishonor others. Unfortunately, not everyone understands the importance of Love. Many people are hurting all around the world. One day you can just wake up and lose everything. Christmas is not about gifts, but Love. Many are desperately looking for help, hopeless, sick, and or maybe without a job. Let us be mindful, to those who are hurting. Depression is real, and should not be taken for granted. Christmas is to share your food with the hungry, to provide the poor wonders with shelter, to clothe them and not turn away. Let us not Love in word or speach, but in deed and in truth. The Bible is very clear to Whoever closes his ear to the cry of the poor will himself call out and not answer. Do not give out of obligation instead out of Love. Many people give out of generosity, this is a true blessing. Each man should give what he has decided in this heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 

Christmas is more than gifts and decorations. Instead of just focusing on the gifts and pretty decorations, we need to remember that Christmas is really about having a relationship with God overall. If you are hurting during holidays you are not alone. Learn to recognize your holiday triggers, such as financial pressures or personal demands so that you can combat them before any breakdown. Everyone else seems to be surrounded by love and warmth, while you feel alone and in the dark. Remember Jesus loves you. You are not alone, this was once my story too. We all have days when we feel unmotivated, but if your symptoms cause disruptions in life, it’s time to reach out for help. You can always talk to your pastors, attend a cell group and seek help in your local church or community. Readers I like to encourage you to help someone in your neighborhood, call that person who hurt you and forgive, pray for family who don’t know Jesus. Christmas is about joy and fun not giving what you don’t have. Count your blessings, you’ll be surprised to know how fortunate you are. Keep praying and don’t give up hope. Good is near the broken-hearted and God sees you.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

‭‭John‬ ‭3‬:‭16‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“For this daughter I prayed “

 ‭‭1 Samuel‬ ‭1:10‭-‬11‬ ‭NIV‬‬

In her deep anguish Hannah prayed to the Lord, weeping bitterly. And she made a vow, saying, “Lord Almighty, if you will only look on your servant’s misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the Lord for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head.”

Hannah, was a warrior, she never gave up on prayer. We know that Hannah prayed fervently for children before and after.  The God that answers granted not only her request but five more children after the Prophet Samuel. Most remember Hannah for her sorrow, but not for the prayer woman. Hannah pray specifically for a son, but couldn't have children. She never gave up hope that God would hear her prayer.  I was moved by the way the Bible describes Hannah sacrifice to the Lord. What impacted me the most was that she dedicated her baby to the Lord and let him at temple to serve God all the days of his life. (1 Samuel 1:11).  

“It’s a girl” baby B It’s a girl the ultrasound technician said. We knew baby A was a boy. My heart rejoice as tears came down my cheeks. I praise God for answering my prayer request. For this daughter I prayed. I dreamed of a little girl to complete our family one who could become my best friend and make this family whole. Her three brothers, were born first, including her twin baby A, ones to call me mother, they are a blessing they lit up my life. With my first son I learned my motherhood how to prepare the best to be a good mother. Having boys are special too. I dream with a baby girl and I felt in my heart something was missing. As I dream to shop for tutus, have a head adorned with crocheted flowers with satin pink bands, shop for pink little dresses and knowing that one day she will have a baby of her own. Having a daughter is a mother’s dream, but it comes with big challenges, therefore, since for this daughter I prayed, I dedicate not only my daughter, but my three sons to God. 

Hannah pray fervently for a baby, but her prayer was specifically for a son. According to the Bible, the Lord had closed her womb, and her rival kept provoking her in order to irritate her. Hannah dedicated Samuel to the Lord, I made a vow to the Lord and dedicated my daughter to the Lord. I love my children and they are all a gift from God. Motherhood was such a beautiful experience that I had really treasure. I encourage you readers, if you have a Princess as I do, pray for protection, safety, well-being, relationship with God, friends and influence, school-life, health, future husband, relationship with their father, siblings relationships and finally wisdom and discernment. The Bible says: “Train your children in the way he should go, And even when he is old he will not depart from it. (Proverbs 22:6).

You might not be praying for a daughter nor a baby.  I encourage you, keep praying. God is near the broken-hearted, he rescues those who spirit are crushed. The Bible says: do not receive, because you ask wrongly. I have learn to pray and ask God specifically for the things I want. I pray for a daughter, God answered me.  Don’t give up and keep praying. The righteous person faces many troubles, but the Lord comes to the rescue each time. 

God is in your Story!

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭48:10‬ ‭AMP‬‬

Indeed, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tested and chosen you in the furnace of affliction.

One of our biggest challenges in life is to be tested.  We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed. Have you ever experience something that you felt was divinely inspired not to take place? Have you ever prayed for God to do something, only to see opposite occur? It can be overwhelming and frustrating. When God doesn’t do what we would like our natural inclination to do, it makes us vulnerable. Did we not pray enough? Did we not study enough? God’s ways are not our ways, and God’s thoughts are beyond our own. You have to trust that God is in your story. I can testify that our prayers are being answered in God's perfect timing. Do not intend to take the pen away from the author of your story. God’s plan for you is to trust him.

Waiting for something to happen is often very difficult for many people to do. As we wait, we get anxious. Many times we give up waiting and try to do things in our way, instead of waiting for Gods promises. Many times we give up waiting because we were disappointed before. Life is about waiting and learning. If our kids would get everything they ask for, would they learned anything in life? Do we give our kids everything they ask for? The answer is no. Can you imagine giving your car to your 10 year old child only because they asked? There is a time in life when we are not ready to receive everything we ask for either because we are immature or maybe we wouldn’t vaporize it. Maybe God is after our hearts. He wants us to be humble. Perhaps, he is changing our hearts as we continue to pray not because we need something but, because we need to change our hearts. Maybe as we pray we need to forgive. When we don't get what we ask in prayer is not God saying no, instead we are not ready. I encourage you readers to trust and wait on the Lord. As I write here a little of my first book, I can testify, that even with all my bruises and scars; God was in my story. I can guarantee you that God has not drop or lost the pen. Believe that your story has a beautiful and powerful testimony for the Glory of God. Do not give up.

“Living with faith and courage is something that life requires of each of us. Never, absolutely, never give up! Never give in no matter what! Fight it through! And I promise you something with all my heart God will help you.

~ Kathryn Kuhlman