Many people feel as though the holidays are more stressful than they should be.

Delilah explains that we shouldn't feel stressed at the holidays, but rather blessed to be able to enjoy these times. A recent book that she has picked up, and urges people to take a look at, is full of daily encouragements to help you through stressful or difficult times.

I think one of the biggest challenges for a lot people this time of year is wading thru the holiday stress and forgetting what’s truly important. And what’s important should not cause you any stress. Jesus was born in a stable and placed on a bed of hay. He came from very humble, poor beginnings, and He is the reason for this season…so why are we stressed about all the stuff we have to do and buy? The gifts are fun, but Jesus is what matters. We should feel blessed instead of stressed.
There is a little book I picked up recently called Jesus Calling by Sarah Young. It’s a book of daily devotions for our life; one for every 365 days of the year. Based on scripture, it is written as if Jesus were talking to you, encouraging you and reminding you to lean on Him instead of your own understanding. It’s a comforting collection of inspirations meant to help us find peace in our circumstances. I’m going to cheat a little bit today and share the daily devotion for March 29 as an example of what you’ll read:
March 29
Stop trying to work things out before their times have come. Accept the limitation of living one day at a time. When something comes to your attention, ask Me whether or not it is part of today’s agenda. If it isn’t, release it into My care and go on about today’s duties. When you follow this practice, there will be a beautiful simplicity about your life; a time for everything, and everything in its time.

A life lived close to Me is not complicated or cluttered. When your focus is on My Presence, many things that once troubled you lose their power over you. Though the world around you is messy and confusing, remember that I have overcome the world. I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have Peace. Ecclesiastes 3:1; John

Here’s the thing about this tiny book of daily devotions: it’s hard to read just one. I kept reading ahead and flipping thru this wonderful book, scraping every ounce of encouragement I could get from it in one sitting. But the beauty in skipping ahead is I know I will need these exact words of encouragement and hope again and again. Each paragraph may have new meaning the next time I read it, with my next set of circumstances.

What causes YOU to be stressed during the holidays? Share by commenting below!

Rachel Specht contributed to this post

More From The New 96.1 WTSS