10 days to Christmas

The Christmas Funk
It can happen at any time of the year, but getting into a mental or emotional FUNK is common, especially for women, at Christmas time. A funk is defined as: a state of the blues or a place of depression.

The type of depression that is described as a FUNK, is not clinical depression, but a situational blues that can last a day or two...or a week or two. Some of us find ourselves in a FUNK out of nowhere, and often we don't even understand why. But, when you consider all the things women are responsible for, especially this time of year, a funk seems inevitable at times. But, in order to live well, we must also learn how to get out of the pits that we find ourselves in that are unproductive.

What are some things that cause a funk?

• Unrealistic expectations
• Unmet expectations
• Feeling alone or living in unresolved circumstances
• Feelings of fear, abandonment or loss of any kind
  
• Feelings of insecurity
• Feelings of being unloved or uncared for
• Financial loss or financial stress
• Future fear or uncertainty
• Feeling invisible, alone or insignificant
  

At Christmas time it is easy to fall into any one of these categories.
I know more than I care to admit about the "Funk", because I have lived there more than once.
Here is my acronym:
F...Feelings Prevail, Focus skewed
U...Under the weather, the circumstances
N...Negative about things
K... Keeping the negative funk alive by fanning the flames of the feelings

Stepping Out of the Funk
F...Focus must change

U...Under the care of Christ, is how we must live, rather than living under the circumstances

N...Negative thoughts must be challenged, and replaced with positive truth

K...Keep my heart, Guarding it well, making sure it is not divided, for out of it comes all of life.

Christmas is not just a "one day" event, but we often race towards it as if it were. Christmas brings with it feelings of remorse, loss, and often expectations of "the perfect little life" that not many people really have. All of these added together could steal our focus, our hope and our joy. Think today about the four parts of stepping out the the funk, and stay tuned as we look at each one separately this week.

Have yourself a merry little Monday...It's the only Monday December 15th 2008 that you will ever have. Live it well!

Christmas Prayer
Lord, help me to have the courage to step out of the funk when I find myself there.