Welcome to the 85th issue of The Aim and Soar Life, a weekly newsletter about faith, personal growth, and lifestyle that provides actionable, relatable, and biblically rooted content to help you live abundantly and GROW YOU. GOD’S WAY.
Happy November, Friend!
The theme for this month is Breaking Chains.
As the holiday season approaches, I know that while many of us are excited and looking forward to spending time with friends and family, some dread the holidays because they stoke feelings of loss and loneliness.
For years, I dreaded Christmas as a single mom because I would always find myself alone in the evenings after my son went to spend time with his dad. This pain plagued me until I learned to embrace the peace of solitude.
When I learned to embrace the peace that God offered me in my solitude, the chain of depression and dread surrounding Christmas and other holidays was broken. I no longer cried myself to sleep. Instead, I learned to spend time doing things that brought me joy, like reading, scrapbooking, catching up on movies, or starting a new book.
Depression is real. As Christians, we can pretend we are immune to it all we want. But the fact remains that we aren’t. Most of us experience depression from time to time because we are human!
I love the Psalms—especially those written by King David. It gives us an up-close and personal look into our humanity as David expressed feelings of depression and despair at times. But then he would always turn and look to God to hear him and get him out of whatever was holding him down. He saw God as the chain-breaker. And
Don’t let depression steal your joy this season.
When You’ve Lost a Loved One
If you’ve recently lost a loved one, the holidays can be rough. One of the things you can do to mitigate feelings of depression and grief during the holidays is to remember your loved one in a special way and share it with family and friends. You can create mini photo albums or scrapbooks of special times. Those make for heart-warming gifts. Putting a smile on someone else’s face can soothe feelings of depression.
Also, you can remember your loved one by participating in a fun activity that your loved one enjoyed. For example, when my stepdad passed, my mom, my son, and I took a trip together because my stepdad loved to travel. We honored him by doing one of the things he loved to do, and we were carrying on his legacy of enjoying life to the fullest. That’s what he taught us when he was with us.
I also want to remind you that grief is a process. It ebbs and flows. No one can predict when you will feel like “yourself” again after you’ve lost a loved one. I tell my therapy clients that grief and loss is a journey. You may have times of sadness or depression. Try your best not to get stuck, but instead focus on carrying out your loved one’s legacy and give the rest to God. He is our comforter!
3 All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. 4 He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.
2 Corinthians 1:3-7, NLT
When You Are Experiencing Financial Difficulty
Financial woes can suck the joy right out of the holiday season if you allow it. If your money is “funny” or downright nonexistent, please know that tough times don’t last always. Do what you can with what you have.
Don’t feel guilty about not being able to splurge on gifts. Take care of your basic necessities. And remember, you are not your net worth.
Develop a plan to get out of debt and implement it. If you are experiencing a job loss and can’t pay all your obligations, take care of the things you can and utilize free resources such as food pantries operated by local churches.
Don’t stop giving to God. You may not have abundant finances, but if you are physically able, I encourage you to serve God in some capacity.
I have spent many Thanksgiving Days at my church serving meals to the homeless and less fortunate. During some of those years, I was financially challenged and depressed. But the act of giving to others took the focus off me and my problems. At the end of the day of serving meals, I never returned home depressed. I returned with a joyful heart because I had given to others who were financially less fortunate than I was at the time. God put things in perspective for me.
I made it through some lean years by serving others. And God always made a way for me even in the lean times.
Stave off depression by giving.
When Life Hurts
Sometimes we experience depression because life just hasn’t gone the way we planned. Things feel upside down and we have no idea what God is doing.
I’ve been there. But I challenge you to keep a thankful heart. Walk around your home or wherever you live and thank God for everything you do have. Thank Him for the use of your limbs and for the sharpness of your mind. Thank Him for the plan that He has for you, no matter how bleak your situation may seem.
Even when it hurts, give it to God. Lay it all at His feet and ask Him to reveal His plan for you. Ask Him to guide you day by day.
Bask in the knowledge that God knows you, loves you, and sees you!
17 For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever!
2 Corinthians 4:17, NLT
As a licensed professional therapist, I want to let you know that what I shared in this post is not sufficient alone if you are experiencing moderate to severe depression. Please contact your healthcare provider so that you can get proper care. God also works to heal us through therapists and counselors. 😍I love you and God loves you!
Peace and Love.
Until Next Time,
GROW YOU. GOD’S WAY.
Sherrhonda😍
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