Tis the Season for Anxiety or Joy?

by Adam Hofer - December 2025

The holiday season is a joyous time for many. Thanksgiving brings the family together, and Christmas keeps the family together. Yet for many of our guests, this is the toughest time of the year. There is a shift that takes place in their minds this time of year. Tempers are flared. Sadness is seen in their eyes. Emotions are heightened. There is a reason why addiction takes off, and many commit crimes around the holiday season. However, we need to look past their behavior and look at their heart, recognizing that behavior is a symptom of something deeper.

Over the last year, I have been speaking much about the struggle we all face in our mind. After all, the mind goes where the hands and feet are yet to go. The battle begins in the mind long before an argument erupts. The whispers in our ears of temptation, if accepted, lead to sin, which leads to internal darkness. Spiritual warfare begins in the mind. You can’t run from the battle. I have seen many homeless brothers and sisters running from town to town seeking peace. Yet, they eventually realize that they can’t run from themselves. There are some battles we need to face! But how?

In Paul’s final appeal to the Philippian church in Philippians 4, he writes: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:6-7). The Philippian church had issues with excessive worry, fear of the unforeseen, and were just overall nervous about life. Yet, one thing has always struck me about what Paul wrote. He told them to present their requests to God in prayer and petition with THANKSGIVING.

Have you ever, when your spirit is in unrest, stopped for a moment to pray, to sit in a place of thankfulness while holding your worries and fears in your hands? This is not a natural response. This is an intentional response. When anxiety hits, we want to tell God about our anxieties, not what we are thankful for! Yet, when you go to God in prayer with thanksgiving while anxious, a peace that transcends all understanding will cover you, indwell you, energize you, guard your heart and mind…

Paul then goes on: “Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things” (Phil. 4:8). In other words, he tells them to shift their focus to what is good! Be intentional to shift your thoughts of worry, nervousness, and fear to thoughts that are true, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, or praiseworthy. In doing so, you embrace the THANKFUL mindset. Intentionally focus on what you are THANKFUL for in every situation: the good times and the bad times. If you believe in Christ, God WILL work all things for your good (Romans 8:28). Regardless of what you are going through, shift your focus on HIM. Go to Him and accept His peace this Christmas season.

As winter approaches, many of you are likely to enter into a seasonal unrest. The battle within may amplify. However, I want you to take heart, for there is no better way to combat those feelings of unrest than to focus your attention on HIM with a THANKFUL heart. Don’t argue with your anxious thoughts. In doing so, you give them power. Rather, dismiss them entirely and shift your focus to what is good.

Replace ANXIETY with THANKSGIVING this holiday season! Our Savior is born! There is much more to be thankful for than to be anxious about.

Thank you, Jesus!