[W]hat is it about this time of year that brings out the best in people AND the worst? This is supposed to be a time for giving, family traditions, gratitude and focusing on what really counts in life, yet we become stressed, bloated, overwhelmed and edgy. It’s seems like pressure is mounting around us all the time and we keep trying to add more and more to our already busy lives. Well I’m here to tell you today that this girl is OVER IT. You too? Then please read on. I promise I’m not a total Grinch, I’m just here to offer a little perspective. A little peace.
Peace. That’s it. Freely available and indescribable peace. A fruit of the Holy Spirit that’s often mistaken for being nice and sweet or never having problems. Oh contraire 😉
Peace is your secret weapon and one of the most powerful tools God has gifted to your soul. Not only will it protect you this holiday season but EVERY season. Peace isn’t something that always magically falls on us nor is it a sweet little Christmas carol to be talked about only at Christmas. Peace is like a nuclear bomb to the kingdom of darkness and it also acts as a guard over our hearts and minds. We have to chase, pursue and maintain it at all costs. For me, that means letting go of perfection and refusing to wear busy like it’s a badge of honor. Instead, I want to wear peace like an expensive fur coat this season. Wrapping myself up in it and protecting myself from the coldness of a hard heart. Peace is your ultimate anxiety killer and the confidence you can have knowing that everything is going to get done in due time. It’s the total calmness when the storm is raging all around you.
This holiday season let’s decide to maintain our peace at all costs. Let nothing and no one threaten it, especially the woman you look at in the mirror every day. Because she is the only one you can control. When you feel anxiety or overwhelm rising up in you stop and declare these verses over yourself and allow peace to rise up instead.
“Don’t worry about anything; instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all that he had done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. “(Philippians 4:6-7)
“Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it.” (Psalm 34:14)
These two verses imply ACTION on our part. A choice to ask, pray, receive, search and maintain.
But remember this about your enemy, if he can’t beat you he will try to distract you. He is the king of chaos and his heart is set on destroying your peace this holiday season. He would love for you to be so busy and caught up in making sure everything is done and perfect that you miss out on the hearts of those you love. He would love for you to get distracted with something a family member did or said that hurt your feelings. He would love for you to start beating yourself up and comparing yourself to other women that seem to just “have it all together”. He would love for you to commit to every event and every class party and every volunteer outreach and every recital so that you become so exhausted you wind up snapping at your spouse and kids. He would love for you to neglect your health and fitness goals by eating everything that’s put in front of you and scheduling no time to train or for yourself. Fight back with peace and priority. You aren’t going to be able to go full steam at everything and you will not have a perfect holiday season. Perfect does not exist. But you CAN have a joyful one filled with peace, simplicity, and intentionality.
So today, I’ve decided that I’m done with all the pomp and circumstance of the holiday season and these feelings of “I’m supposed to” and “I need to” looming over my head every time I get on Pinterest or read a Southern Living magazine.
I’ve decided not to partner with edgy this holiday season and I’m refusing to wear busy like it’s a badge of honor. I’m opting for a slower end to 2014 and taking some time to reflect and focus on my life and where it’s headed. I hope you will join me and share with me how you are protecting your peace, keeping things simple and how you are growing in your relationship with Jesus. The prince of peace. The lover of your soul and the ultimate gift of heaven.
Seeking,
Lindsey Nadler #RISEUP
Get real talk, no B.S. business advice on creating a business doing what you love.