After Christmas has passed and the holiday traditions, stress and fun face away, what happens next? (Igniter Media)

The holidays can be a difficult time for a lot of people for a variety of reasons.  

Post-Christmas blues. Although it's been 36 years, since my dad died on the day after Christmas, December 26 still brings back some bittersweet memories. For years, I fell back into the pit of despair after Christmas, grieving over the loss of my dad. Thankfully, now I'm able to turn my melancholy thoughts around as I think of my dad after Christmas. 

Peace. I've learned to find peace of mind and rest as I re-focus my thoughts on God's promises. I found the promise that helped me overcome the grief from my dad's untimely death in Isaiah 57:1-2: "Good people pass away; the godly often die before their time. But no one seems to care or wonder why. No one seems to understand that God is protecting them from the evil to come. For those who follow godly paths will rest in peace when they die" (NLT).

Provision. This morning, I woke up early this morning to pray (and choosing not to worry) about a current problem. Then, I was tempted to worry about the future. But as I chose to focus my thoughts on God's promises, I remembered His faithfulness in the past. 

"Once I was young, and now I am old. Yet I have never seen the godly abandoned or their children begging for bread" (Psalm 37:25). 

Promise. I found peace as I chose re-focus on the Word of God—Jesus—"Immanuel, which means 'God with us'" (Matthew 1:23). And I pray you find His peace, too. 

"I have told you all this so that you may have peace in (Christ). Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because (He has) overcome the world" (John 16:21)

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Do you struggle with after-Christmas blues? What helps you to re-focus?