Hope When the Season Feels Heavy
Hope in the Holidays
Day 1
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.”
— Psalm 34:18
The Christmas holidays arrive with expectations—some are spoken, some are just assumed. Be joyful. Be present. Be grateful. For many in recovery, those expectations feel heavy. Emotions stir.
Old wounds resurface. Empty chairs are noticed. Familiar coping mechanisms whisper again. How do I respond?
Jesus does not enter our lives demanding happiness. He enters carrying compassion and grace. The weight you feel does not disqualify you from hope—it reveals your need for it. This season, you are not required to feel anything other than honest. Christ meets you there.
A prayer for your day.
Lord, I confess that this season feels heavy. I bring You my exhaustion, my grief, and my unmet expectations. Meet me here—not as I should be, but as I am.
Put it in action.
Name one emotion you’ve been avoiding this season. Write it down. Invite God into it without trying to fix it.
Share the moment.
You don’t need holiday perfection to experience God’s presence—only honesty.