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For many people, the holidays are not a season of joy but a time when old memories, unresolved pain, and family patterns surface with surprising intensity. What we feel in the present is often shaped by experiences from years ago. Long before we understand why, the weight of the past begins defining how we face the holidays today.

Holiday depression isn’t simply a psychological term; it is often an emotional association rooted in the heart. Our minds remember events, but our hearts remember experiences. When those experiences are painful, the holidays can trigger reactions that feel impossible to escape. Yet God never designed us to be ruled by old memories or cultural traditions that rob us of peace. He calls us into freedom—a life where we decide what the holidays will mean rather than repeating what they have always been.

There is a pathway to transformation. It begins by recognizing the beliefs that keep us bound, understanding how emotional debt shapes our responses, and learning to make intentional choices that reflect who we are in Christ rather than who we used to be. As we step out of old patterns and into new traditions, our hearts begin to heal. Joy becomes possible again. And the holidays shift from something we endure to something that strengthens us, our families, and everyone we touch.

Join me this week in CyberChurch for a message titled Overcoming Holiday Depression, as we explore how to break free from painful holiday associations and create a season filled with meaning, purpose, and the life of God.