Now that the holiday season is coming to an end, it can be easy to start feeling depressed, or even bored. After all, the pretty, sparkly decorations have been put away in the attic, the events with our loved ones are over, and we’ve stopped counting the days until Christmas. Most of us feel some sadness once the holiday season is over because the holidays bring so much joy to our hearts. Christmas brings us back to the Lord, giving us time to reconnect with Him, worship Him, and reflect on what truly matters in our lives.
Once January rolls around, we can start to feel weighed down by the weight of it all. We need to get back to work; no one is as lovely to us as during the holiday season, and it feels like the days are getting darker and darker. Whenever we start to feel this way, we should try to look for joy in our daily lives. Even though the holiday season is over, that doesn’t mean our happiness has to end too.
Instead, we can continue to cultivate a spirit of joy throughout the year. God does not want our happiness to be eradicated the day after Christmas. Instead, he wants to experience his joy all year round. By turning to Him and finding joy in Him, life can feel like a daily mini-celebration. Every day is a gift from the Lord and we should rejoice in it (Psalm 118:24).
Eliminate unhappiness and gloom
As someone who struggles with depression, I generally don’t have the best perspective on life. I’ll be the first to admit that I generally view everything in a very negative light. Therefore, when the Christmas period is over, all I see is that the new year is a disaster year. Since I have faced many years in the past unfolding in precisely this way, I often struggle to stay positive when a new year rolls around. Some people feel overly optimistic about the new year, while others are overly pessimistic.
If you’re in the latter camp, know that we’re in the same boat. Although it will take more work on our part, we can still work to maintain joy in our hearts once the holiday season is over. We can do this by finding joy in the ordinary. This means actively looking for the first signs of spring, like the blooming of a flower or the first blooms of a vine. Any of these things can remind us of the warmer months ahead.
In the same way, we can find joy in the simple pleasure of having hot coffee or hot chocolate with a dear friend. The atmosphere of the cafe and the company of a long-time friend can truly bring joy to our hearts. We must strive to do these kinds of joyful things more often to maintain joy in our hearts throughout the year. This will take a lot of work; however, it will be rewarding.
Make friends with joy
Unfortunately, it is especially common within the Christian community to downplay the importance of joy. Individuals believe that it is okay to have joy in the Lord, but not joy in life. In these moments we must remember that joy comes from God and is synonymous with happiness. Happiness and joy are essentially the same thing, regardless of what church culture would have us believe. God indeed wants us to be happy, because He has given us abundant life (John 10:10).
With this abundant life, we can have joy and happiness every day. God did not send his Son into the world to die for us, so that we would be unhappy. Rather than believing the lies of the church culture around you, find joy in knowing that God wants you to be happy. Truly, joy or happiness is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). This means that the Holy Spirit will help us cultivate happiness in our lives.
Even though the holiday season has passed, we can allow God to help us cultivate a joyful friendship. We don’t need to be gloomy or depressed now that the holiday season is over. Instead, we can allow the joy of the ordinary to motivate us to keep going. You really never know what a day can bring. The coming year could be the year you meet the love of your life, land your dream job, or go on a life-changing mission trip. Allow God to be in control of this year and accept the joy He gives you in abundance in this life (James 1:17).
Looking forward to the year ahead rather than dreading it
Like many people, I lived through years that I dreaded. Last year was so bad that I didn’t want to face another year. If you feel this way, try seeing the new year in a new light. Accept the truth that Jesus is with you as you enter this new year, and He will never leave you (Matthew 28:20b). At all times, Jesus will be with you and he will be your strength (Psalm 28:7).
There may still be some pretty tough times at times, but trust in the Lord and know that He has great plans for you this year (Jeremiah 29:11). Try making a list of all the good things that could happen this year and keep focusing on that list. Pray to the Lord to help you have a good year, focus on Him, and grow closer to Him. Actively try to combat the worrying thoughts in your head that this year will not be good. Stay neutral about the new year and know that this could be the best year yet.
God can do greater things than we could ever imagine. We know this because Paul tells us, “Yet as it is written, What no eye has seen, and no ear has heard, and no human mind has conceived, what God has prepared for those who love him” (1 Corinthians 2:9). Consider this passage of scripture when your heart is heavy. Rest assured that God has big plans for your life, and that includes the year ahead.
God is our good, good Father, who only desires to bring us peace, love and joy. He doesn’t want us to experience worst case scenarios or eternal pain. We need to know the Lord better this year to help us understand His goodness, kindness, and love. Once we know Him better, we won’t worry so much about the coming year or the end of the holidays. Instead, we will continue to cling to the joy that is in our hearts, which is only there because of the Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.
Photo credit: ©GettyImages/Olga Peshkova
