Pressure release Archives - Kristin Saatzer

On the morning of Thanksgiving, I gave myself a talking to. I promised me that I would not stuff myself like a pig. I lied. At the end of the meal, I scolded myself for lying and eating too much. Then I looked around to see if anyone was watching. No eyes on me- so I proceeded to unbutton the top button of my pants and released the pressure. AHHH…

Have you reached a point this holiday season where you are feeling like you need a pressure release? Feeling tired from the demands at work or home? Have you been eating too many treats? Are you overwhelmed by the financial blow this time of year can deliver? Maybe you are over-committed? Underappreciated? Exhausted?

If you are facing some holiday fallout, take a deep breath with me and stop. Just stop.

Prepare Him Room.

That’s what I did last night.

I asked the Lord to speak to me in this time of Christmas Crazies. I didn’t ask Him to wrap my gifts, grow a money tree in my yard, do my cooking or heal the rift between family members. I got still.

But my mind raced wildly as tried to listen. Instead, I began thanking God. Taking out my journal, I wrote a thank you letter to Him. As I wrote, a shift took place; stress fell away as the pressure of the season began releasing. Words of thanks replaced the racing in my brain.

Thankfulness is a spiritual exercise, necessary to the building of a healthy soul. It takes us out of the stuffiness of ourselves into the fresh breeze and sunlight of the will of God! ~E. Elliot

I thanked the Lord for all of it: the struggles of the season, the joy it brings and everything in between. All of it.

A dose of sweet medicine for my pressure-filled soul.

Thankfulness is always a remedy for what ails us. Even if it doesn’t change our circumstance, it changes the state of our inner-self. I find God works best from the inside-out, don’t you?

So, what did I learn and what will I do differently at my next holiday meal? Well, I’ll wear an elastic waistband and stop me from talking to myself pre-meal time.

And where do these words find you in the Christmas Crazies? Are you needing a pressure release? Do you need to Prepare Him Room? Is it time to write a Thank You Note to the One we celebrate this month? Go ahead, unbutton and release that pressure, my friend.