This Holiday Season ~ Dispel The Darkness Of Loneliness

It’s that time of year again…the holidays…Thanksgiving, Christmas and bringing in the New Year.

There is so much to do- gatherings with family and friends, shopping, going to work parties, going to church parties, buying a Christmas tree, decorating the Christmas tree, decorating the inside of our homes, decorating the outside of our homes, wrapping gifts, purchasing Christmas cards, writing Christmas cards, mailing Christmas cards and on and on the list goes.

The holidays are not only a busy time of year, but also a festive time of year, the season to eat, drink and be merry….right?

Then why is it that for many people this time of year is the most painful time for them?

For some it’s their first time going through the holidays without a loved one. It could be either because of a separation, a divorce and/or a death.

For others it may be a reminder of a dream shattered that they can’t fully accept yet.

Still, for others it could be that they are far from home and they feel homesick.

Whatever the reason, for most the festivity of the holiday season is a harsh reminder of their loneliness.

Many people feel more alone from mid November until mid January than they do the rest of the year. These months mark a season where the emphasis is on being joyful, celebrating, and spending time with loved ones.

I will never forget the first time I went through Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years without my precious mother.

The first holiday season without my mother was very difficult. I had a strong awareness of her absence. I felt such a heaviness that stemmed from feelings of sadness and loneliness. I missed her deeply.

My loneliness was further exaggerated by the fact that everyone around me was having so much fun. Even the tv shows and the commercials seemed to be mocking the emptiness I was feeling inside.

The joy of others emphasized my inner woundedness.

The brokenness from the loss of my mother’s death (along with the fact that a year later my marriage fell apart) is actually what brought me to Jesus’s doorstep.

Once I received Jesus Christ into my heart, His love and grace alleviated my loneliness quite a bit. I, however, still needed to be pro-active and take some practical steps towards my healing.

My dad had often told me that the best cure for one’s depression and/or loneliness is to give to others.

God’s Word tells us the same thing. It says in Philippians 2:4 “Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.”

There is very little joy when we are always just thinking about ourselves and our own sadness, hurts and pains.

When we get our mind off of ourselves and start to focus on the needs of others an inner healing takes place.

Here are some suggestions on how to drive away the loneliness that is exaggerated during the holidays:

• Call a church nearby and ask them how you can help. This time of year most churches are doing all sorts of outreaches to various organizations. There are so many needy people; the homeless, the children of prisoners, orphans, people in third world countries, etc.
• If you know of any single parents, call them up and ask how you can help. Maybe you can babysit their children for a few hours to give them a break. You could offer to clean their house or cook them a meal.
• Reach out to an elderly person, or a widow you may know. Often just sitting with them or going for a walk with them and/or spending a little time with them is all they need.

• Go to a local nursing home. The elderly in these facilities are some of the world’s loneliest people. Ask them to share with you what life lessons they feel are the most valuable.
• Make a date with a friend or relative. Be intentional and decide in advance that you will listen more than talk.
• Pray for others. Invite a few others to start a prayer group
• Get involved in your church-join a bible study, a men/women’s group, etc.

These are just a few ideas for you. I know there are many  more ways to reach out to others.  Let the Lord lead you in how He would want to use you to bless someone else.

Hopefully, the concept of giving to others in the midst of your own darkness will stay with you for a lifetime and not just during the Holiday season.

May God comfort you, encourage you, guide you and bless you richly this Holiday. May you sense His presence in your heart and allow Him to guide your life so that you can be Jesus to those around you.

Take His light that’s within you and use it to disband loneliness-your own and of others.

After all, Jesus is the reason for the season.

“And I have been a constant example of how you can help those in need by working hard. You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.” ~ Acts 20:35

Photo Credit Picture 1: Google Images

Photo Credit Picture 2: Google Images