As we venture into the glorious season of Advent and celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ, we also take on the added stresses that Christmastime tends to bring. Whether we like to believe it or not, Christmastime has become a time of stressful activities.

 

Let me share a though with you, give it to God! Give all that stress to God and let Him sort it out for you. Allow me to share my Thanksgiving story with you to better solidify this simple, yet effective advice.

 

On Black Friday morning, as I sat at my desk at work, I received a text message from my mother asking me to call her when I had time. I called her immediately and learned that my Uncle Dave passed away that morning. He had been having some health problems and was at a hospital in Philadelphia where he died in his sleep, peacefully.  Although I loved my uncle, my first thought was my (step)dad, his brother. I was worried for him and how he was handling this. I then began to worry about my (step)grandma, as this was the second of her children who preceded her in death. I was worried. I know my (step)dad is not a talkative guy, especially about his emotions, so I was worried because I knew he wouldn't tell us how he felt. I was worried.

 

The next day, my youngest feline furkid, who hadn't been feeling well all week, took a turn for the worse. She was very hot to the touch, shaking, and just wasn't herself. I was worried. All day, I searched online to find out what could be ailing my poor furkid. I was worried. We ended up taking her to the emergency veterinarian that night. They ran tests and told us it could be anything up to and including Feline Leukemia. I was worried. As I sat on the floor, with her cowering in fear and illness behind me, I put on a brave face, but I was worried. We prayed in the car on the way to the vet, but I was worried. The doctor told us her bloodwork appeared normal and that it was a virus. She was dehydrated and running a significant fever, so they treated her with an antibiotic and fluids. I was still worried. 

 

The next day, two of my other feline furkids weren't feeling well either. I was worried. The veterinarian told us that whatever our littlest had would most likely make its way through all six of them, just like when children in a household get sick. I was worried. 

 

We found out that the services for my uncle were Monday night and Tuesday morning--which meant I had to take two days off work. I was worried. I actually managed to take off Monday afternoon and Tuesday morning. I was worried. I was worried how my (step)dad was going to handle everything. I was worried how my mother was going to comfort him in his time of silent need. I was worried how my (step)grandmother was going to handle saying her final farewell to her son. 

 

I was also worried for my grandmother and grandfather as my grandfather was scheduled for surgery on Tuesday. While we were saying our final goodbyes to my uncle, my grandfather was having a defibrillator put into his heart. A simple surgery, but a surgery nonetheless. I was worried. I kept calling my mom to find out if he'd come out of it okay. I was worried. I called my grandmother to make sure she was okay. I was worried. 

 

By now, you've realized that I was worried. I had so much stress worrying about everything going on around me and everyone. Then I realized something. Everything and everyone was in God's hands. I didn't need to worry. God is in control. At that moment I realized I needed to give it all to God. Give Him my worries and my fears. Trust in Him to care for my family. 

 

I went to bed that night repeating the following words found in Psalm 28:7: I trust in you Lord, for you are my strength and my shield. My heart trusts in you and I am helped. You are not only with me, but in me and I in you. It's actually a combination of passages from the Bible but it is a prayer I often say. 

 

My advice to you is to give all of your stress this holiday season over to God. Trust in Him. Let Him take your worries, stresses, and fears. Put your trust in Him, allow His will to flourish. Christmastime is about celebrating the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ with family and friends. Remember, He is the reason for the season!