Navigating the Holidays While Grieving: Compassion, Hope, and Empowerment for Your Journey

Finding Restoration and Resilience Through Faith, Self-Care, and Mindful Presence

By Susan Barth, SCC-C, BCMMHC

Founder, Christian Guidance & Wellness Center, LLC.

November 10, 2025, Holiday Edition

With the Holiday’s right around the corner, embracing the complexity of grief during this season can be difficult.  As the world glimmers with festive lights and the air fills with anticipation of togetherness, many people silently shoulder a heaviness—a profound sense of loss. Whether you are grieving the passing of a loved one or wrestling with the pain of estrangement, the Holidays can intensify sorrow and magnify feelings of isolation. The season’s emphasis on joy may seem to contrast painfully with your inner reality, leaving you feeling overwhelmed or even numb. Let this blog serve as a compassionate companion, offering depth, empathy, and practical guidance as you navigate this emotional landscape. Remember, your grief is as unique as your fingerprint and honoring it is an essential step toward healing.

Understanding and honoring grief is the foundation for healing. Grief is not a linear journey; it is a multidimensional process marked by waves of emotion—pain, anger, longing, and sometimes moments of hope. During the holidays, memories may surface more vividly, and traditions may feel bittersweet. Allow yourself to acknowledge each feeling as it emerges, without judgment or haste. The act of naming your grief—of saying, “I miss them,” or “I wish things were different”—is a courageous and necessary step. Mourning is not a weakness, but a testament to love and letting yourself feel is a profound act of self-respect. Remember: healing begins when you grant yourself permission to honor your pain and your story.

Self-compassion and self-care allow you to build a sanctuary within.  It is far more than a collection of rituals; it is an attitude of gentle stewardship toward your own well-being. When grief is acute, even small acts of kindness to yourself—a nourishing meal, a calming walk, quite time with a book and hot chocolate, a relaxing warm bath, or moments of heartfelt reflection—can be transformative. Self-nurturing with tenderness is essential. You may also discover that intentional acts of kindness towards others can give you purpose, lifting you up while reminding yourself of who you are as a person. Self-care may include establishing boundaries with others or with expectations you place on yourself.  They may be necessary for self-preservation or protection. This could be in the form of declining invitations, altering Holiday rituals, limiting exposure to emotionally charged situations, or simply granting yourself permission to rest. Releasing guilt for prioritizing yourself is paramount; remember, showing compassion inward is the bedrock of healing and restoration. You are worthy of love and care, especially when you are suffering. 

Keep in mind, it is important not to exclude yourself from occasions that may be good for you and your healing process.  During grief, we may not want to step out of our current mindset or comfort zone, but if it is a worthwhile occasion, you may need to nudge yourself. Participating in something may provide moments of joy you wouldn’t have experienced otherwise, especially during the Holidays. Try not to respond just from your current feelings. Ask yourself, “Is this something I would enjoy normally?”  “Is this something emotionally beneficial or helps others in need?”  During the season of giving, being around or helping others can positively impact your emotional well-being greatly.  Be confident taking that leap of faith can bring you further along in your healing journey. 

Faith possesses remarkable power to transform our experience of grief, especially during challenging times. Hebrews 11:1 reminds us, “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and the assurance about what we do not see.”  Through faith, you can discover profound hope and peace, even when circumstances defy understanding.  It is natural to feel anger toward God or to struggle with confusion about your situation. Yet, when you are hurting, remember that God shares in your pain. Living in a fallen world means that suffering may not always make sense, but God invites you to call out to Him. By turning to faith, you can find solace and strength that anchors you through sorrow and provides hope. Connection with God serves as a lifeline, offering reassurance that you are never alone in your grief. Faith does not erase the pain, but it can transform it by infusing your journey with hope and comfort. Psalm 34:18 declares, “The Lord is close to the broken hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”  Hold onto this promise, commit it to memory, and repeat it to yourself whenever you feel overwhelmed by sadness. Engaging in prayer, listening to worship music, or simply finding rest in quiet communion with God can bring comfort and protection. Trust that God walks beside you, supporting you through every moment of sorrow. Remember, what you choose to focus on will shape your emotional experience and can help guide you toward healing.

Letting go of control or illusions and embracing acceptance encourages a calmful state.  The urge to control outcomes, to recreate the past, or to shape the future is often strongest during moments of grief. Yet, this pursuit can breed frustration and disappointment, distracting you from the present. Release the illusion that life must unfold according to your plans. Instead, invite acceptance—of yourself, your circumstances, and the unpredictable nature of life. Acceptance does not mean resignation; it means meeting reality with grace, flexibility, and resilience. The holidays may look different, and that is okay. Trust that letting go will make room for new forms of peace and meaning. Surrendering to God will relinquish fear. “There is no fear in love.  But perfect love casts out fear, because fear has to do with punishment.  The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” (1 John 4:18) God loves you unconditionally, trust Him. 

Gratitude is a healing practice which cultivates light in the darkness.  It coexists with grief; it is not a denial of pain, but a gentle shift in perspective. Amid sorrow, seek out moments—however fleeting—worthy of thankfulness. Perhaps it is a warm embrace, the memory of laughter, a sunrise, or the comfort of fellowship. Keep a daily list of these small blessings, focusing your attention on them. Gratitude does not diminish your loss; it provides anchor points of hope and a reminder that life contains beauty alongside suffering. Over time, this practice can help restore balance and empower you to move forward. 

Below is a list of practical steps for protecting your emotional well-being during the Holiday Season, or for any period of grieving: 

·       Create a Sanctuary: Identify a safe, comforting space where you can retreat and recharge, even for brief moments each day.

·       Set Thoughtful Boundaries: Communicate openly with loved ones about your needs and limits; it is okay to decline or adjust holiday plans.

·       Honor Absent Loved Ones: Consider rituals such as lighting a candle, sharing stories, or creating a keepsake to commemorate those you miss.

·       Seek Support: Lean on trusted friends, faith communities, or professional support groups. You are not meant to journey through grief alone.

·       Practice Mindful Presence: Engage in activities that ground you in the moment—scripture, deep breathing, meditative walks, or journaling.

·       Invite God’s Comfort: Pray, meditate on God’s promises, or simply sit in quiet reflection, welcoming His divine peace into your heart.

·       Limit Social Media Exposure: Protect your emotional health by taking breaks from online spaces that may trigger comparison or sadness.

·       Embrace Simplicity: Let go of the pursuit of perfection. Sometimes, pared-back traditions are the most meaningful and restorative.

In closing, and despite the pain, concentrate on hope and empowerment through your ongoing journey of grief.  When you find yourself weighed down during the Holiday Season, take heart in knowing you are not alone and that hope is not lost. Grief is a testament to love, and through compassion, faith, and gratitude, you can find resilience and restoration. Allow yourself to move gently, to rest, to celebrate what is meaningful, and to honor both your sorrow and your strength. May you discover peace in surrender, courage in vulnerability, and a renewed sense of purpose. You are deeply cherished—by God, by community, and by the sacred Holy Spirit that resides within you. Each step you take, no matter how small, is a profound act of healing and self-care.

Here is a meaningful and powerful scripture to reflect on and share during this season, offering hope for everyone.  

When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth.  I pray that from His glorious, unlimited resources He will empower you with inner strength through His Spirit.  Then Christ will make His home in your hearts as you trust in Him.  Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong.  And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep His love is.  May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully.  Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. 

Ephesians 3:14-19

Have a Blessed Holiday Season!

www.christianguidanceandwellness.com

Phone: 772-269-5644, Email: cgwcinfo@gmail.com