Now that the holiday season is coming to an end, it can be easy to start feeling depressed or bored with things. After all, the pretty glittery decorations have been put away in the attic, the events with loved ones are over, and we have stopped counting down the days until Christmas. Because the holiday season brings so much joy to the heart, most people feel some sadness when the holiday season ends. Christmas brings us back to the Lord, gives us time to reconnect with Him, worship Him, and reflect on what is truly important in life.
Back in January, we can start to feel weighed down by the weight of it all. we have to get back to work. No one treats us as kindly as the holiday season, and it feels like the days are getting darker and darker. If you start feeling this way, you should try to find joy in your daily life. When the holiday season ends, our happiness doesn’t end either.
Instead, we can continue to cultivate a spirit of joy throughout the year. God doesn’t want us to be happy the day after Christmas. Instead, God wants us to experience His joy all year long. By turning to God and finding joy in Him, life will seem like a small celebration every day. Each day is a gift from the Lord and we should rejoice in it (Psalm 118:24).
get rid of doom and gloom
As someone who struggles with depression, I don’t usually have the best perspective on life. I’ll be the first to admit that I usually view everything in a very negative light. So when the Christmas season ends, the new year only looks like a year of despair and gloom. I have faced exactly this situation for the past many years, which is why I often find it hard to stay positive as the new year rolls around. Some people feel overly optimistic about the new year, while others feel overly pessimistic.
If you fall into the latter camp, know that we are in the same boat. It will take more effort on our part, but we can all strive to maintain joy in our hearts after the holiday season is over. You can do this by finding joy in everyday life. This means actively looking for the first signs of spring, such as the opening of flowers or the first blooms of vines. All of these things are reminders of the warmer months ahead.
In the same way, we can find joy in the simple pleasure of drinking hot coffee or hot chocolate with a close friend. The atmosphere of a coffee shop and interacting with long-time friends truly brings joy to our hearts. In order to keep joy in our hearts throughout the year, we must try to do such pleasant things more often. It takes a lot of effort. However, it is rewarding.
have fun and make friends
Sadly, it is especially common in Christian communities to downplay the importance of joy. People believe that it’s okay to have joy in the Lord, but it’s okay to have joy in life. At times like these, we need to remember that joy comes from God and is synonymous with happiness. Regardless of what church culture would have us believe, happiness and joy are essentially the same thing. God does want us to be happy because He has given us abundant life (John 10:10).
With this rich life, we can feel joy and happiness every day. God did not send His Son into this world to die for us and make us miserable. Instead of believing the lies of the church culture around you, take joy in knowing that God truly wants you to be happy. In fact, joy and happiness are the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). This means that the Holy Spirit helps us cultivate happiness in our lives.
Although the holiday season is behind us, allow God to help us grow our friendships with joy. There’s no need to feel blue or depressed just because the holiday season is over. Instead, the joy of ordinary things can motivate us to keep moving forward. You never really know what the day will bring. This could be the year you meet the love of your life, land your dream job, or go on a life-changing mission trip. This year, let God take control and embrace the joy He has abundantly to offer you in this life (James 1:17).
I’m looking forward to next year instead of dreading it
Like many people, I had a year of fear. Last year was so bad that I didn’t want to go through another year. If you feel this way, try looking at the new year in a new light. As you enter this new year, accept the fact that Jesus is with you. Jesus will never leave your side (Matthew 28:20b). Jesus is with you and will be your strength at all times (Psalm 28:7).
There may still be some pretty tough times, but trust in the Lord and know that He has great plans for you this year (Jeremiah 29:11). Make a list of all the good things that may happen this year and try to stay focused on this list. Pray for the Lord to help you have a good year, to focus on Him, and to draw you closer to Him. Try actively fighting the worrying thoughts in your head that things won’t go well this year. Stay neutral towards the new year and know that this year could be the most beautiful year ever.
God can do greater things than we can imagine. We know this because Paul says: “But as it is written, ‘Things no man has seen, nor heard with any ear, nor conceived in the heart of man,’ these are the things God has prepared for those who love him” (1 Corinthians 2:9). When your heart feels heavy, remember this Bible verse. Rest in the confidence that God has great plans for your life and that includes next year.
God is our good Father and He wants nothing more than to bring us peace, love, and joy. God doesn’t want us to experience worst-case scenarios or eternal pain. This year, we need to know the Lord more, to understand His goodness, kindness, and love. The more you know God, the less you will worry about next year and the end of the holiday season. Instead, we hold on to the joy in our hearts. It is only because of the Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.
Photo credit: ©GettyImages/Olga Peshkova
Vivian Bricker earned a Bachelor of Arts in Ministry and then a Master of Arts with an emphasis in Theology. She loves theology, ministry, and all things helping others learn about Jesus. For more of her content, visit Cultivate: https://cultivatechristianity.wordpress.com/.
