Anyone else not like this time of year?

[SB09]

I try to think of the good memories of the holidays not the bad ones. If there isn't any good memories to think of, go make some.

To your question. I love this time of the year. The weather is decent most of the time, meaning not 100+. Deer season is full swing. Get to spend time with friends there. Christmas is near. Get to spend time with family.

In anything in life. Just always remember "glass half full." No matter what happens.

[Txjourneyman]

I used to HATE Christmas. I didn't want to be around anyone and I did my best to stay the heck away from family and friends. I was raised in a very disfunctional family and there was a Christmas Eve night, (also my younger brothers birthday), when I was 11. Dad came home a raging drunk. Things got pretty ugly. I ran away for a couple days and never wanted to go back.
I carried that baggage around with me for years feeling sorry for myself amd blaming my father for why I hated Christmas. After I grew up,(well after I was an adult!), I learned to understand that Christmas was about a lot more than trees with gifts under them.
I came to accept the greatest gift of all and realized that Christmas is about His coming to us to offer salvation. Now I look forward to Christmas and do my best to try to make a difference in the lives of others. Sometimes an encouraging word or a hug or a pat on the back is all it takes to brighten someone's day or even life.
Today, when I think back on the years that I isolated myself during this time of year I think about missed opportunities. If you dislike this time of year try to get out of yourself. Go out and do something good for someone, anyone. It could be a family member or a friend, or a complete stranger. I think you will be amazed at how quickly you can learn to enjoy this time of year.
If it doesn't work, you can go right back to what you have now. Whats to lose?

[sotx]

Growing up my Dad was always ****** at Christmas time. I was getting an asswhip every other day and had to listen to him complain on and on. For many years it was not a good holiday.

[woodsman]

I think we all have these things in life that have robbed us of something, but I think there is some value in learning to live above these circumstances and check our minds and how we respond to these times.

I have two specific times in my own life that if I allowed, they would have no meaning, except pain and hurt and I don't want that, so I chose to make them mean something else.

I hope you find the joy again.

John Maxwell says, “There is a difference between how we feel and how we handle our feelings.” Chuck Swindoll says , “I am convinced that life is 10 percent what happens to me and 90 percent how I react to it.”

For me, these words offer some inspiration and hope.

"Jesus said; “Come to me” with your problems and I will give you rest (Mat. 11:28). He said in John: “I am the bread of life”, “I am the light of the world”, “I am the gate”, “I am the good shepherd”, “I am the resurrection and the life”, “I am the way and the truth and the life”, “I am the vine”.

Attached to each claim is a promise to fulfill the deepest needs and desires of the human heart. We were created in such a way that only God can fulfill them. When we come to Christ realizing that He is God and that only He can meet our needs, our search comes to an end.12

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort; who comforts us in all our affliction so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ. (2 Cor. 1:3-5)"

A to the men! Awesome words Tim!

We all have a "square peg, round hole" situation. Only Jesus can fill the void in our heart. We are never promised happiness, but we are offered Joy. There is a difference... The Angel didn't appear to the shepherds and say, I bring you news of great Happiness. The eternal life after this finite life is what gives me joy.

It's okay to be sad this time of year, because we usually don't get to pick when bad stuff happens in life. But we can overcome our emotions with true Joy should we accept it. Praying for understanding for you during this time sir.

[Hogman7290]

A to the men! Awesome words Tim!

We all have a "square peg, round hole" situation. Only Jesus can fill the void in our heart. We are never promised happiness, but we are offered Joy. There is a difference... The Angel didn't appear to the shepherds and say, I bring you news of great Happiness. The eternal life after this finite life is what gives me joy.

It's okay to be sad this time of year, because we usually don't get to pick when bad stuff happens in life. But we can overcome our emotions with true Joy should we accept it. Praying for understanding for you during this time sir.

Has nothing to do with a dysfunctional family.The stresses of a lost loved one, buying the biggest and most expensive or nobody will be happy is the problem.We all know it's Jesus's Birthday, but the stress of the season is too much.For some , The whole "Jesus" outlook is not their cup of tea,just dealing with screwed up kin is enough.

[Traildust]

Go help out with a Holiday food drive or get with a group that helps feed the homeless. Find something positive to do, it will take your mind off the negative stuff.

No better feeling in the world than to help out folks that truly appreciate it!
Most all families are dysfunctional....that's why I strive to make the holidays memorable for my family....especially my wife and 2 young sons!

[DRT]

Christmas is a good thing I guess. I like celebrating the time that God sent forth His only begotten Son to set an example and sacrifice Himself for our sake. I like seeing the little ones faces as they open gifts. I like having an excuse to eat like there's no tomorrow without guilt. I don't like to remember the loved ones we lost and can't be with but we all die at some point and I just pray those we lost had their salvation settled with The Lord and I will see them again.

Just the timing sucks. Why not have it in February. Not during deer season.

[gingib]

I love it because I love my family. Sorry to hear about your misfortune.

x2! Plus it's deer season

Best time of year

[Axe Man]

I fake it for my kids so they don't ever feel the way I do.

[SaltwaterSlick]

Sir, I will pray very specifically for you, that you will be reconciled to your family... whatever the riff is. I spent years like that, I hated this time of year, and if I'd let my own sinful self continue to rule my life, I'd be really messed up now... I buried my dad on Christmas eve several years ago, my mom a year later, then last year just before the holidays, I buried my one and only son. Believe me, I know what hurt is. I can also tell you without a shadow of a doubt and with NO hesitation, that GOD HIMSELF has given me back my joy! I once heard a long time ago that if you had today ONLY the things that you thanked God for yesterday, how well off would be spiritually, physically, socially and mentally?? I hadn't heard that in years... until this morning and I heard it again on the radio It brought a big ol' smile to my face. I have lost much, but I can tell you I am overflowing with blessings from God every day! There's not enough bandwidth to tell you about all my blessings, but I can tell you that because back in '75, I turned my life over to Christ, NOTHING can steel my joy. I CHOOSE to be joyful. I do have sadness, and indeed deep sorrow, I also have an eternal hope that trumps all of that. Now especially in the loss of my son, that was something no parent should have to bare, but my son knew the Lord Jesus in a mighty way. Yes my wife and I grieved and we grieved mightily, but we also rejoiced knowing (beyond doubt) that we some day will be reunited with him again. We have talked about it a lot and have decided when we are called home, we're gonna go jump on him big time for cutting in line, then we will rejoice and love on him some more... Sir, that is real joy. I pray that God will soften your heart and allow Him to show you His love and what He is capable of through his Son Jesus. God bless you sir.

Like others have offered, if you want to talk we're here for ya.

[woodsman]

Has nothing to do with a dysfunctional family.The stresses of a lost loved one, buying the biggest and most expensive or nobody will be happy is the problem.We all know it's Jesus's Birthday, but the stress of the season is too much.For some , The whole "Jesus" outlook is not their cup of tea, just dealing with screwed up kin is enough.

I understand, and was basically saying that the joy of eternal life and life's stresses are not mutually exclusive.

I have screwed up immediate family and just enough to pay my own bills, and I hear where you are coming from. I honestly don't look forward to seeing those people this time of year, but everlasting joy from the Father overcomes that. If have a personal relationship with Christ, and He gives me a year-round joy.

Definitely don't want to force Jesus on anyone, but I just can't help but testify the difference He has made in my life. I would be selfish to keep it to myself.

[SaltwaterSlick]

I understand, and was basically saying that the joy of eternal life and life's stresses are not mutually exclusive.

I have screwed up immediate family and just enough to pay my own bills, and I hear where you are coming from. I honestly don't look forward to seeing those people this time of year, but everlasting joy from the Father overcomes that. If have a personal relationship with Christ, and He gives me a year-round joy.

Definitely don't want to force Jesus on anyone, but I just can't help but testify the difference He has made in my life. I would be selfish to keep it to myself.

What a praise! Thanks for sharing. It is what we are called to do... don't be ashamed of the Gospel of Christ...

[BrandonA]

I use to love Christmas and everything about it. Then on one Christmas eve I found out at the time my wife now ex was having an affair. That really put a damper on things and for the next three yrs I went through hell going through a bitter divorce. Now looking back her having her affairs was probably the absolute best Christmas Present ever. Christams still brings up bad memories especially the years I don't have my baby girl but each year it gets a little easier. Prayers to all those with pain and emptiness in their hearts.

[SaltwaterSlick]

I use to love Christmas and everything about it. Then on one Christmas eve I found out at the time my wife now ex was having an affair. That really put a damper on things and for the next three yrs I went through hell going through a bitter divorce. Now looking back her having her affairs was probably the absolute best Christmas Present ever. Christams still brings up bad memories especially the years I don't have my baby girl but each year it gets a little easier. Prayers to all those with pain and emptiness in their hearts.

Brandon, sorry to hear about that, and yes, time does help. We all have wounds and wounds turn into scars. The scars tell us our past is real, but they don't have to control our present or future.

All men/women will let us down in some fashion, but God will never leave us or forsake us. We just have to put our trust where it belongs. For sure it's not right a dad should be separated from his daughter, but you just let her see Christ in you and she will not leave you either. She will cling to you. It's natural for a daughter to love her dad.

[Speedgoat]

My grandparents are long gone, I seldom talk to any cousins, I rarely speak to my sisters, my parents live in different states, so yeah, it kind of sucks, but we enjoy what we have.