Stockpiling Peace
As much as the holidays are full of positive deposits of joy and love, they are equally full of withdrawal by stress, anxiety, and tension. So how do we manage this polarizing reality that we want to be with our family while at the same time we need to protect our own sanity? I have learned that we must stockpile peace.
2 Thessalonians 3:16
“Now may the Lord of peace himself give you his peace at all times and in every situation. The Lord be with you all.”
What our soul needs during the triggered trauma that comes during the holidays is peace. One of the ways to be able to thrive during Thanksgiving is to already have a vault of peace stockpiled for your soul to draw from. In the presence of God, sacred scriptures committed to memory, and a firm foundation on God’s promises over your life are simple tools in the toolbox you can have at the ready.
Stockpiling peace comes with managing your expectations prior to the situation that might steal your stockpiled peace.
Let’s get practical: What are the peace thieves in your family?
Peace Thief: Simultaneous Screens
Telephones, televisions, and tablets playing different content all at once. Nothing like having the kids controlling the volume of Paw Patrol while your father-in-law is trying to watch Tucker Carlson or Don Lemon (depending on whose house you’re at) while at the same time your cousin is trying to become Tik-Tok famous. Each device gets louder and louder as they compete for the ear drums of those most interested. Eventually the volume of all the devices peaks to point of complete chaos.
One of the ways to keep the peace is to limit the number of screens your family contributes to the chaos. If leaving the tablets or phones in the car is impossible, at least making an investment into some headphones for each device will help diminish the volume of the entire house during the free time. I could pull a lot of links related to how unhealthy screen time can be, but I think we all know what we are signing up for when we hand one to a little child as a distraction device, so I will let you decide what time constraints should be put on that.
Peace Thief: Lack of sleep
Psalm 4:8
In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O Lord, will keep me safe.
The holidays seem to be masked in a fake sense of rest while actually being rooted in stress. There is a high probability that the sleeping arrangements might be less than ideal for you during the family visits. Bring your own pillow. This will give you at least a sliver of normalcy when it comes to sleeping. With the chances of bedtimes being set at random, it also might be wise to have some ear plugs handy. The ear plugs will help you stay at peace as you rest. If you can make the room where you are sleeping in as dark as possible, this will also help with the quality of sleep you receive.
I will end today with a blessing found in the book of Jude.
Jude 1:2
May mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you.
As you make your plans, as you schedule meals, and shop for gifts, I pray for a multiplied peace to come upon you. Multiplied so much that any stress, worry and anxiety cannot come against you. I speak mercy multiplied even when it feels like it is undeserving. May the Love that comes from God be multiplied upon your family during this holiday season.
Author: Mike Santiago
