Christian Singles Holidays Survival Tips

Well it’s that time a year again, the three months of the year when it seems just about everyone is bustling with holiday cheer. While Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s are all festive and joyous holidays, they can actually be quite lonely and depressing for some singles.

Even if at no other time of the year, most single women long to be in a relationship during the holidays. But even if a relationship eludes you at the moment, it is still possible to survive the holidays with peace of mind. Although it may feel that way, you are not the only single person trying to survive the holidays alone.

Much like anything else in life, attitude plays a major role in your perspective. Developing the right mindset is key to help make your holidays happy, so here are a few Christian singles holidays survival tips to help you along the way.

Be Prepared

Like it or not you will probably get a few questions regarding your single status throughout the holiday season. No matter how good you are at dodging the questions throughout the year, there always seems to be no escaping them around this time of the year. 

Even if well-intentioned, the questions and comments can be painful to endure and difficult to answer. One suggestion for making this a wee bit more bearable is to be prepared with a few canned responses.

Think about the questions you are typically asked and prepare a few responses so you don’t get flustered trying to think on your feet. You know the questions are coming, so be prepared. Keep in mind that a bit of humor can go a long way and will help ease the tension.

In addition to responding to the barrage of questions, also think about possible scenarios that could send you in a tailspin (i.e. a cousin bringing home her new boyfriend or announcing their engagement) so you can mentally prepare yourself.

Be Positive

If there is one thing you should pack for your trip home for the holidays, it’s a positive attitude. Sure you’re single for the holidays and the comments cut like a knife, but it is possible to maintain a positive attitude.

Let’s face it, you can’t change your family or their comments, but you do have the ability to change your attitude. Remember life is not so much about what happens to you, but rather how you respond to what happens to you. Save yourself a lot of frustration and recognize that you cannot change your relatives.

A proper perspective is very important. When the questions come, try not to take it personally because ultimately, your family and friends likely just want you to be happy (even if they don’t know how to show it). A positive attitude can be the difference between a brief Q&A and a total communication breakdown. Remember life is all about relationships of which family is one of the most important.

Also, try to view things from a positive perspective. For example, even though you are not currently in a relationship, be thankful that you are no longer in a bad relationship.

If you struggle with discovering the positive aspects of your situation or time with family, the next tip should be helpful.

Be Prayerful

The holidays can be stressful, so it’s a good idea to be prayerful. Even though, everything in your life has not turned out as you envisioned it, recognize that you have much to be thankful for. If you struggle with identifying those things, pray and ask God to help you view life from His perspective.

This season is all about family, but that doesn’t always mean your time together will be like an episode of the Cosbys. Whatever pressures you encounter, should be cast at His feet. Pray that He blesses your time with your family and helps you to recognize the good and not focus on the bad. Thank Him for providing you with another opportunity to spend time with family and friends.

If the holidays are especially difficult for you, pray and ask God to help you not only endure them but make it a time of joy, fun and fellowship.

Also note, it’s ok to pray and ask God to bring someone into your life because you desire to have a meaningful relationship. However, it is also a good idea to ask God to help you identify him when he arrives.

Absolutely nothing brings peace like prayer. If you are nothing else this holiday season, be prayerful.

Be Patient

Being single during the holidays is not the worst thing in the world, even if it feels that way. Yes, I know you’re tired of the never-ending questions about your love life but try to be patient with your family members. And by all means, please try not to respond in anger. It’s ok to be firm, but respond in love.

This can sometimes be difficult, so when you’ve taken all you can bear politely ask to change the subject or take a walk to clear your head. Discussing your feelings with a supportive family member or friend can also be helpful. But try to do all that you can to make your time at home pleasant.

In addition to being patient with your family, also be patient when it comes to selecting a mate. The holidays can cause overwhelming feelings of loneliness that tend to cloud your judgment and cause many singles begin to lower their standards just to be in a relationship. However, don’t allow your feelings to cause you to make hasty and unwise decisions.

Be sure to review these guidelines for Christian dating to help you make wise decisions in dating.

The holiday season is a wonderful time to more fully reflect on what you’re thankful for, celebrate the birth of Christ and usher in a new year of opportunities and blessings to come. 

Don’t become so focused on what (or who) you don’t have that you lose sight of what you do have. Use these Christian singles holidays survival tips to help you do more than just survive the holidays, but thrive during the holidays.

Remember your best is yet to come! Have a blessed Thanksgiving, a miraculous Christmas and a productive New Year!

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