Start Here

Managing Stressful Relationships at Christmas Time

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Pinterest
Email

The holiday season can be a difficult time for many. We often find ourselves surrounded by family and friends who may bring out an unpleasant side in us that we do not want to expose. Thankfully, the Bible provides us with guidance to help us manage these stressful relationships during this festive time of year.

The book of Proverbs instructs us on how to deal with those around us. “A soft answer turns away wrath but a harsh word stirs up anger” (Proverbs 15:1). This verse is a reminder that our words have immense power in shaping the environment around us. If we take the time to respond calmly and gently, even when provoked, it will help defuse any tension in the situation and make it easier for everyone involved to handle their emotions.

Another instruction offered by the Bible is about controlling our own emotions when faced with frustrating situations. James 1:19 reminds us not to be “quick-tempered” or act rashly when dealing with someone who might be causing us stress at Christmas time. Practicing self-control and finding ways to stay level-headed during difficult times can help avoid any potential outbursts or arguments between yourself and those close to you.

Finally, the most important lesson we can take from Scripture regarding managing stressful relationships at Christmas is that of love and kindness towards one another. We are reminded that “love does no wrong to a neighbor” (Romans 13:10) – meaning that even if someone is difficult or challenging during this season, we should still strive to treat them compassionately as God commands us to do so within His word.

By following these biblical principles, it is possible to navigate through any rocky relationships that might occur over the holiday season without provoking further strife and harm. May you find peace in your hearts while managing these stressful relationships this Christmas!

Join our Time for Change Membership and Group Coaching Program


The Time for Change Program is a comprehensive approach that can help you understand your emotions, identify the issues underlying them, and move towards a healthier lifestyle.

Our program is based on Biblical principles and utilizes inspirational stories from other participants to equip you with powerful tools to reach the life results you desire. Follow this link now to learn more about our membership and group coaching program!

Become a member of our coaching program

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Pinterest
Email

Related

Facebook Twitter Youtube

Get Updates

Gratitude journal

When was the last time someone said thank you to you? When was the last time you said thank you to someone else? So many people today struggle with a lack of thankfulness and ingratitude. This leads to struggles with complaining, criticizing, and comparing. Gratitude and thankfulness provide a powerful remedy for these problems. This gratitude journal helps us to identify what we should be grateful for and what we do as a result of seeing life as a gift.

God's grace prayer journal

Do you struggle with applying the truth that you learn during your study of God’s word? This God’s grace prayer journal will allow you to focus on gratitude and live in contentment in life. The journal pages encourage you to observe what you are learning from the Bible text, evaluate how you have failed to live according to the truths stated, seek forgiveness, and develop godly plans for change.

Giving hope

Do you struggle with the lack of hope? Do you find yourself struggling with doubt and insecurity during times of great challenge? During those times, you need to find your rest and assurance in pondering, personalizing, praying, and practicing what God’s Word says. In the short devotional, spend time meditating and studying each of these passages. Write down whatever comes to mind in the spaces below. And let God speak to you.

Discovering Godly patterns

One of the keys to growing in Christlikeness in our lives is to unearth and discover, and biblically evaluate our thinking patterns, speaking, and acting. This worksheet will help you be honest and specific about areas in your life that are not meeting biblical standards in thinking, speaking, and acting.

Counseling review journal

The God who began a good work in you will continue it through your lifetime and will finish it when we meet him face-to-face. God works for us, and God works in us. He enables us to become more like Christ every single day. This work is progressive and continual in this life. This worksheet helps us review and evaluate gains made during counseling and discipleship, show gratitude to God for what he has done, and develop plans for future growth and change.

Conflict review worksheet

There probably is not a day that goes by that we do not have some level of conflict with others. This worksheet helps us focus on the problem and not the person. It helps us evaluate how we have handled a dispute and how we should deal with it moving forward.

Bible study notes sheet

Do you ever struggle with doing a Bible study or journaling the key ideas from your reading? This Bible Study Note Sheet will encourage you to ponder and meditate on Scripture. Also, God’s Word is meant for you, so this worksheet will help you personalize what you are learning. It will also guide you in learning to pray God’s Word, and finally, it will encourage you to put into practice the principles and promises you find in reading the Word of God.

Anger journal

Anger is a significant issue for so many people. People often stuff or spew their anger, but very few learn to study their anger. This journal assignment will help you to do just that. It will help you understand, evaluate, and respond to your anger in better ways.

4 Steps to rethinking a problem

Do you ever find yourself getting overwhelmed with problems? Do you find yourself struggling with thinking clearly during a challenging situation? This four-step approach to rethinking a problem will help.

4P problem-solving approach worksheet

Problems can seem overwhelming. When we are in the midst of a significant crisis, many of us struggle with defining the problem and implementing helpful solutions. This worksheet helps us to identify three unbiblical and unproductive ways of handling problems. It also encourages us to destroy problems, not people, as we deal with issues in a biblical and God-honoring way.