Day 17 - Remaining Focused + Truth Journaling
21 Day Challenge
Through The Holidays
During this last week of the 21-day holiday challenge, we are focusing on keeping our eyes on Jesus. Amid the busyness, hustle, and bustle of the season, we often don’t make time to remember what the season actually all about.
I would like to challenge us to Truth Journal about this so that we can fight the lies the world tells us about what’s important at this time of year, and instead choose the greater thing by quieting the noise all around us and drawing near to God and sitting at Jesus’ feet. I’ll get us started:
I’m so busy with all the extra shopping, cooking, and planning for the holidays on top of everything else I must do, I don’t have time to spend with the Lord. He’ll understand. It’s up to me to make sure that everyone has a “magical” holiday season. I need to find the perfect gifts for everyone, wrap them beautifully, decorate, organize travel arrangements, prepare for house guests, plan the menus and special activities, send the Christmas cards, AND make sure everyone has an amazing time. Something has to give, so I guess I just won’t sleep for the next month - and forget my morning quiet times- there just aren’t enough hours in the day. I need to hit the ground running just to keep up. It will be worth it, though, because Christmas is a magical time of year, and It’s up to me to make sure everyone’s Christmas is perfect.
Lies I am believing:
1. There is a lot more to do during the holiday season. (T)
a. This is a busy time of year for everyone. There are a lot of extra things to do. If I’m really
overwhelmed, maybe I can rethink my schedule or my priorities, or ask for help from my
family and friends. Perhaps there are ways to do things differently this year so that it is
less stressful, and our holidays can be more Christ-focused. What can we do to make
this holiday season less about what the world values and more about what God values?
(Deut. 6:14) – Do not follow other gods, the gods of the peoples around you.
(Ps 23:1-3)- The Lord is my Shepherd; I have all that I need. He lets me rest in green
meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides
me along right paths, bringing honor to his name.
2. I don’t have time to spend with the Lord, and He’ll understand (F)
a. My time with Jesus is actually MORE important the busier I get. I need to rely on God’s
strength when I am overwhelmed, not just work harder. (Ps. 37:4)-Delight yourself in
the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart. (Isaiah 40:31)- But those who
trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They
will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.
b. If I don’t have time to spend with the Lord, then my priorities need to change. Believing
that He’ll just “understand” how busy I am is not putting Him first in my life, nor is it
honoring my need for Him. (Exodus 34:14)- For you must not worship any other god,
for the LORD whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God. (Matthew 6:33)- But seek
first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to
you.
3. It’s up to me to make the holidays special for everyone. If I don’t do everything just right, then it
will ruin the holidays. (F)
a. This is a false belief. What are the holidays about, anyway? Why do I believe that it is all
up to me? This is me trying to please man and not making my focus on pleasing God?
(Isaiah 9:6)- For unto us a Child is born, to us a Son is given, and the government shall
be upon His shoulders, and His Name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Everlasting
Father, Prince of Peace.
(Exodus 15:11)- Who is like unto thee O Lord among the gods? Who is like thee -
glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?
(Phil 4:6-7)- Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with
thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which
surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Scripture Prayer/Affirmation
Lord, O Lord, how majestic is your Name in all the Earth? Thank you for humbling yourself by coming to this earth while we were still sinners to rescue us. Forgive me when I take my eyes off you and think that I am somehow responsible for making the holidays meaningful. When I see all You have done, I realize how ridiculous that is. I give you all my anxiety around pleasing others and making the holidays special for others. My desire is to fix my eyes on You, Lord, and to give you all the glory! You are my Wonderful Counselor, my Everlasting Father, my Prince of Peace. There are no other gods but You, O Lord.
TODAY'S CHALLENGE
Okay, now it’s your turn! Take the time today to examine the lies you are believing about this holiday season and tell yourself the truth from God’s Word. Let us keep our eyes fixed on JESUS!