5 Tips to combat holiday stress & anxiety through time in the secret place.
With the holidays fast approaching, it seems everyone is looking for more time these days. We want more time to spend with our families. More time to relax and enjoy life, and more time to pursue our passions. But what about spending time with God? How do we cultivate time in the secret place with God to get through the holidays with less anxiety and stress?
The holidays can be a hectic and stressful time for many people. There can be pressure to spend time with family, shop for gifts, and attend holiday parties. This can leave little time for reflection and prayer. However, taking even a few minutes to spend in prayer and meditation can have a profound impact on our lives. When we take the time to be still and connect with God, we can find peace and strength. We can also receive guidance and wisdom for how to navigate the holiday season.
Spending time with God helps us focus on what is truly important.
It helps us let go of the stress and worries that can weigh us down. If you are feeling overwhelmed this holiday season, take a few moments to step away and spend time with God. You may be surprised at how much better you feel after taking time to connect with the one who knows and loves you best.
While it is important to spend time with God in corporate worship and Bible study, there is something special about time in the secret place. It is devotional intimacy with Him. What better time to cultivate a consistent habit of time in the secret place than the holidays. In Psalm 37, it states: If we delight ourselves in the Lord, He will give us the desires of our heart.
“Delight yourself also in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart.”
Psalm 37:4 (NKJV)
That includes peace and joy during the holidays.
With all the hustle and bustle of shopping, meal planning, one family gathering after another, it can be stressful. Not to mention the anxiety it brings to even the calmest of people. There is no better time than now. Take some time to carve out a consistent routine of spending time with God in the secret place. It will bring much peace and joy to your heart.
Time in the secret place is a time when we can pour out our hearts to God, worship Him without interruption, and simply enjoy His presence. Again, it is devotional intimacy with Him. It draws us closer to God and brings peace to our ever busy life. It is the #1 habit you can develop to promote better self care for yourself. In Psalm 91, it says:
“He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.”
Psalm 91:1 (NKJV)
and in Matthew 6:6
it says: “But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.”
Matthew 6:6 (NLT)
There’s something special about having a secret place to spend time with God.
It’s a place where we can go to be alone with our thoughts and feelings, and to connect with God on a deeper level. A place where we can let down our guard and be completely honest with God. That place where we can just be ourselves.
Spending time in the secret place with God can help us feel more at peace with ourselves and the world around us. It can help us find strength in our faith, and to feel closer to God. It can be a place of healing and comfort, and a place of hope and inspiration. Whether it’s a quiet spot in our home, a secluded spot in nature, or a place that feels special to us. Taking the time to spend time with God in our secret place can be a truly enriching and life-changing experience.
5 Tips to cultivate more time in the secret place with God:
1. Get up a little earlier in the morning to spend time with God.
While it may be tempting to hit the snooze button, getting up early to spend time with God is worth it. Your day will go much smoother, and you will have more peace and patience to tackle your busy schedule.
2. Take advantage of small pockets of time throughout the day.
If you have a few minutes here and there, use them to pray or read your Bible. Listen to worship music while doing the mundane tasks of the day, like household chores, waiting in the pick up line after school, or driving on your daily commute.
3. Set aside time each evening before bed for prayer, worship or reading your Bible.
This can be a great time to reflect on the day and thank God for His blessings. The busyness of the day has come and gone, and the time before bed is usually the quietest. It’s a perfect end to the day. Spending time in God’s presence brings much-needed peace for a restful night’s sleep.
4. Get away for a weekend or a day.
If possible, take some time away from your normal routine to focus on your relationship with God. Go on a spiritual retreat, a prayer walk, or just sit outside in nature for some quiet time with God in prayer and worship. If you quiet your mind, you will hear God speak through the wonders of His creation.
5. Find a quiet place.
When you can, find a place where you can be alone with God and free from distractions. I have been known to even sneak away to the bathroom to grab a few moments of quiet time alone with God. Whatever it takes, it will be worth it, even if it’s only for a few minutes. Try to designate and create a sacred space you can go to each day with your Bible, journal, and favorite pen already in place. It doesn’t have to be “Pinterest perfect.” Any space that is distraction free where you can spend time alone with God is perfect. Having a specific space already prepared takes away the struggle of gathering what you need and finding a spot for your secret place time.
Making secret place time a priority!
No matter how you choose to spend time in the secret place with God, the important thing is that you make it a priority. When we take the time to nurture our relationship with Him, He will bless us in ways we never could imagine. There is no other way on earth to create the kind of peace and love that comes from spending consistent time with the Father in the secret place of devotional intimacy.
Those precious moments when we take the time to spend with God in the secret place can have tremendous benefits for us, especially during the holidays. They often bring a sense of calm, peace and patience during times of high stress and anxiety.
The holidays can be a hectic and stressful time.
Family gatherings, shopping, and other activities often leave us feeling frazzled and worn out. Taking a few moments to spend with God in prayer and meditation can help refresh and rejuvenate us. It can also help give us a better perspective of the holiday season and what is truly important. When we take the time to be still and know that God is God, we can find peace and strength in Him. We can also receive His wisdom and guidance for our lives. Spending time with God is one of the best gifts we can give ourselves, especially during the holiday season.
The world is a chaotic and stressful place. It’s always demanding something from us, whether it’s our time, energy, or attention. It’s no wonder so many of us are struggling to find peace. We’re constantly searching for it in all the wrong places. But there is good news.
God can give us peace, unlike anything the world can offer.
It’s a peace that washes over us and fills us with hope. A peace that calms our fears and quiets our worries. It’s a peace that gives us strength for the journey ahead. If you’re struggling to find peace, turn to God. He is the only one who can offer you the peace you’re searching for.
To learn more about spending time in the secret place with God, see the posts below.
7 Tips to Cultivate Time in the Secret Place with God
Series: Intimacy with God through Journaling in the Secret Place
A great book by Bob Sorge titled “Secrets of the Secret Place: Keys to Igniting Your Personal Time With God” can be found here for purchase on Amazon. This is the best book I have ever found on the subject of the Secret Place!
(I’m not affiliated with Amazon or Bob Sorge, I do not receive compensation for referring to this book)
Love and Hugs
Teresa
