Fending Off Holiday Temptations . . . Starting with Anxiety

It never occurred to me that anxiety could be a temptation, but think about it–it’s one of the biggest in our lives. The second we turn from faith to a state of questions like: “What will they think of me?” “What happens if she doesn’t pick up?” “Why did I eat that cookie, I wasn’t hungry?” we begin one destructive, devastating spiral.

Don’t for a second think God’s plan for your life is to live in such mental nonsense. Jesus wants us to live “lightly and freely.” The finger-wagging you associate with religion has more to do with our mortal failings than anything from our loving God. So how do you remain anxiety-free this holiday season? Read on.

1. Recognize the temptation.

The first step is to acknowledge the problem, right? As soon as the mental questioning begins, or that ugly, berating voice starts talking down to you, realizing what’s happening. If you have some sort of meditation or mindful practice this step may be easier, so you can better associate reality with the thought processes going on in your mind. But even that isn’t enough to ward off those evil voices that seem to attack us when times are stressful. Call it out! Pause and recognizing what’s happening. Sometimes that’s enough. 

2. Accept, then let go.

We often beat ourselves up that we aren’t faithful enough to resist anxiety. That temptation can prove too strong sometimes. So try something different, just accept it! God’s already forgiven you for the state you are in, why not forgive yourself? Say you’ve just sent yourself down a shame-spiral for competing with your sister-in-law on the best casserole dish for Christmas dinner (I swear I’m making this up). You end up feeling miserable and silly, fretting over something that doesn’t matter in the slightest. So, move on. Compliment her on that lovely sweater, or confide in her how delicious you thought her dish was. The point is, the longer you hold onto your own stress about anxiety, the longer the cycle persists. Breakaway!

3. Recognize something you did well. 

We are often our own worst critics, and anxiety is at the heart of an ego-centric worldview. What about that generous gift you gave to your work colleague? Or that lovely letter you wrote a lonely relative. Remind yourself the goodness in you that doesn’t spring from the navel-gazing scope of anxiety. We are all here for a purpose, for a set time. Remind yourself all the things you are doing that are God’s charted plan for your existence. Sometimes recognizing our true purpose helps us shake off the cobwebs of anxiety and bring us into the present. And that, my friends, is what will rid you of anxiety for good. 

Tell me how you battle anxiety this holiday season.