How Many Ways Can You Grasp Merriness?

Originally posted 2015-12-24 19:00:26.

Hi,

This is the time of year when joy should reign throughout the land.  Joy should especially fill those of us who love Jesus.  Because, even though we celebrate Christ all year, this is that time set aside to celebrate our savior’s birth.  But unfortunately, the commercialization of Christmas has caused many of us to effortlessly divert our attention elsewhere.  It is now the norm for most to concentrate on what gifts to buy.  Yet, not being able to buy gifts consumes some.  Others are sad because they won’t receive gifts; or because no one wants to buy them gifts.  There are also those who grieve lost loved ones.  

Most of us can find ourselves in one or more of the aforementioned categories.  …I can understand why some of us fret when we see others enjoy time with their loved ones; because their joy reminds us of those whom we lost.  And quite frankly, this is the time of year when we miss our loved ones the most. 

Thus, being sad doesn’t take that much effort.  Sadness comes upon you quite easily; so does being frustrated, disheartened and discombobulated.  It’s easy to give up and not want to do anything.  It’s easy to just stay home and become a hermit; especially during the time of the year designated specifically for celebration.  Ostracizing yourself and wearing a long face in the midst of a crowd is also easy.  Have you ever been at a company Christmas party or family gathering and wanted to just cry?  It’s easy to bask in depression and unhappiness.  But being “merry” takes an effort.  So the question is:  “Do you really want “merry” to knock on the door of your heart?”

Why do “the blues” come so easily?

The enemy of glee does not want you to experience cheerfulness; so sadness, doom and gloom pay unwelcome visits to you at the very same time that joy comes.  I was in conversation with a young man a couple of days ago who is experiencing wonderful things in his life; but dejection is yet looming.  He said to me, “I realize that being sad and full of gloom doesn’t make sense.  So I remind myself of how foolish it is to feel that way.”  I agreed with him.  Yet I also told him that what he has to remember is that, it is the enemy of his soul that brings those thoughts of forlornness to him.  It is not just him arbitrarily feeling despair and sorrow.  It is warfare.  As I think on this now, the thought comes, “The enemy of your soul doesn’t want you to enjoy Christmas.  So don’t try to fight this with logic alone; but war with the Word of God and through prayer.  And enjoy yourself on purpose.”

How Many Ways Can You Grasp Merriness?

• Seek God’s help:. We often neglect to give our bewilderment and heartaches to The Lord.  We try to nullify our sadness with working, shopping, preaching, teaching, writing blogs, volunteering at shelters, eating and some even through drinking.  And even though all of this (except the drinking) is regularly ok; none of these things will kill our pain.  Only God can take our anxieties and work them out.  I’m reminded of a scripture.  1 Peter 5:7 says, “Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you.” (NRSV)
• Make a choice:. Choose happiness.  Decide to go buy someone a gift, no matter how large or small, if you have the money.  Go on and join that group.  Plan to join the choir.  Choose to go Christmas caroling.  Choose to believe what the Word says about being merry.  Proverbs 17:22 says, “A cheerful (merry) heart is a good medicine, but a downcast spirit dries up the bones.” (NRSV)
• Make yourself get involved:  Go to that Christmas party.  Call that church member, that cousin or that childhood friend who has reached out to you.  Why not take that all-expense paid trip that your dear friends offered to pay for?  Why not join your family to celebrate, even if you have a somewhat cool non-relationship with them?
• Stop being so serious:  Lighten up and laugh.  Tell yourself a joke.  Loosen up.  Stop being so hard on yourself.  Drop perfectionism while you hold on to excellence.  Laugh at yourself.  Watch a clean comedy.  Pray and ask God to help you.  Merriam-Webster defines merriness as; a mood characterized by high spirits and amusement and often accompanied by laughter.  My friends.  Laugh now.  Drop that thought, “Rochelle is tripping.  What do I have to laugh for?”   Just laugh!  Come on!  Laugh now!
• Accept others for who they are:  Check yourself; and realize people will be people.  You can’t change people.  Look past the faults and see the needs in people.  Look for the good in everyone.
• Let go and Let God:  Allow God to come into your heart and reconstruct you.  Surrender your pain to God.  Surrender your insecurities to God.  Surrender your fears to God.  Surrender your frustrations to God.  Surrender your loneliness to God.  Believe that God will supply all of your need.  Believe that despite of what you see, don’t see, or how you feel, God has plans for you.  Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future of hope.” (NRSV)
• Do whatever the Lord tells you to do!
• Grasp “Merriness!”  Be Merry!

My friends, thank you for joining me in on this wonderful Christmas Eve.  If you remember reading this before; you’re absolutely right.  I first wrote this post on Christmas Eve 2015.  But as I read it again today, the words are just as relevant now, Christmas Eve 2016 as they were last year.  So, thank you again.

I will leave you with this question;  “How many ways can you grasp merriness?”  Let me know your thoughts on this topic.  I’d love to hear from you.  Have a wonderful Merry Christmas!  We’ll talk soon!

Blessings!

Rochelle