I don’t know about you, but sometimes I find myself getting a little bit edgy this time of year.

We’re in a season that is meant to be full of joy and warmth and peace and togetherness, good things…

…but along with the joy and the warm and fuzzy emotions that come, I’m noticing that there are dangerous “opportunities” and situations for negative ones to take root as well –if they’re allowed to.

Things can go downhill so fast this time of year, can’t they? If we let our emotions go wherever they want and don’t catch them…

Maybe we can become edgy from the stress of all the things we must do, or

overwhelmed and anxious or intimidated by seeing all the people we haven’t seen in a while, or

frustrated with ourselves because we don’t like how we look in our clothes, or in our own skin, for that matter, or

sparked with anger at that family member who knows just the thing to say to get under our skin, or

offended or jealous, because we didn’t get an invitation to that Christmas party, or

down and depressed because we feel lonely, and the togetherness that we see others experiencing might make us see the lack of it in our own lives. The longing can be painful when emptiness and lack is highlighted and magnified.

Doesn’t it seem that there’s just a lot of room for these kinds emotions to take root and grow like mold in the darkness? Emotions that can completely steal our joy, if we let them have control. These these kinds of emotions and feelings attempt to rob the joy and the togetherness and the real purpose of this season.

How it’s so easy for these kinds of emotions to “take over” so quickly in a time that is so much about the opposite of where these emotions are attempting to take us.

I love what how The Passion Translation translates Colossians 3:15-17. This passage is such an important reminder during this season –truth that will keep us grounded…

“Let your heart be always guided by the peace of the Anointed One, who called you to peace as part of his one body. And always be thankful.

¹⁶ Let the word of Christ live in you richly, flooding you with all wisdom. Apply the Scriptures as you teach and instruct one another with the Psalms, and with festive praises, and with prophetic songs given to you spontaneously by the Spirit, so sing to God with all your hearts!

¹⁷ Let every activity of your lives and every word that comes from your lips be drenched with the beauty of our Lord Jesus, the Anointed One. And bring your constant praise to God the Father because of what Christ has done for you!“

How easy it is to get all caught up, all “tied up” in the overwhelm of where the emotions want to take us.

I experienced it just the other day. Went down that trail a little bit, then it hit me and I realized what I was doing… I allowed my emotions to take me right to the edge. Thankfully the Lord showed me this so that I could stop where I was going and turn the other direction before I fell off the cliff.

I’m so thankful for the truth that keeps me grounded. When everything around me seems SO REAL, sometimes that can be the biggest illusion.

I know that it’s the truth that will set me free from believing the lies, from believing that my emotions are my guide.

“For when you live controlled by the flesh, you are about to die. But if the life of the Spirit puts to death the corrupt ways of the flesh, we then taste his abundant life.” – Romans 8:13 TPT

I listened to a video clip this morning, and I believe this statement is really something to consider. I believe it’s extremely relevant, especially with all of the emotions swirling around this time of year. I know I’ve been on both sides of this…

Lord, help me to navigate through this season, with Your peace and truth being my guide. And help me to have grace and understanding when it comes to dealing with “all of the people” and all of the things that come with them, within myself and within them. We’re all just trying to live this life as best we can, help me to remember what’s real and true, and all for the things that really, truly matter. Lord, I just need so much grace, all the way around.

“Be kind; everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.” –John Watson

-Heather ?