What if We Flipped the Worry Script?
My friends and I were discussing the upcoming Christmas season and how it may be advisable to do some early Christmas shopping. We know from personal experience what empty shelves of toilet paper and paper towels were like when the pandemic began in 2020! So, do we take that run-for-your-life, hustle and bustle mindset on as we approach the most holiest time of the year? Should we live at any time with angst and worry? Or, is it wisdom that gives us insight on how to alleviate unnecessary anxiety? It reminds me of the fake news that has bombarded us for way too long now. Many people take the “news” in like it’s the Gospel Truth.
I saw a great social media response to the news. I had to investigate. Before I give you her response, here is the question I asked Google: “Is it true that everyone is in a frenzy to purchase Christmas gifts now because there won’t be anything left come mid-November.” Private investigator, Donna Wuerch, gives you proof positive of the tactics used by the media, retail stores…..and the enemy of our soul, to stir up frenzy in our lives. Here are words from major news outlets:
The Washington Post: How the Delta Variant Stole Christmas: Empty shelves, long waits — and yes, higher prices. Supply chain hiccups and materials shortages are hitting retailers heading into the year’s most important shopping season
CNN: “There is going to be a major shortage of toy products this year,” Isaac Larian, the CEO of toy company MGA Entertainment, told CNN. “The demand is going to be there. What is not going to be there is the product to fill the demand.”
Fatherly News Report: “Why CEOs are Warning You to Order Your Christmas Presents Now”. You don’t want to end up giving your kids a lump of coal (or a printed photo of what you wanted to get them) for Christmas.
Bloomberg: Christmas at Risk as Supply Chain ‘Disaster’ Only Gets Worse. Stock prices of retailers are near all-time highs. Global trade is a mess, and peak shipping has just begun.
We know shortages. We’ve witnessed them in the last couple of years. I experienced months of delays on furniture I ordered. So, do these current shopping frenzy tactics cause fear, panic, frenzy, and concern about how our Christmas might be ruined if we can’t buy that toy or item? Or I’m wondering if it is time we flip the script? Remember how the pandemic initially locked us down in our homes? But then we saw families who had not eaten together for some time, found themselves uniting for family meals, playing games together, taking walks together, etc.? Could the worst of times actually come packaged in some of the best of times? What if God, in all His sovereignty, was at work on another one of His Master-Minded plans? Then let’s see what flipping this Christmas’ script into a new and improved one could look like. This isn’t what came to my mind, but to someone who understands the true meaning of Christmas. This is their response to the frenzy:
“Here’s a novel idea. Maybe we shouldn’t worry about the material things. Maybe we should just be grateful for the gift of family, friends, our health, a warm home, food on the table, memories, etc. The list goes on and on of all we should be grateful for what doesn’t come with a price tag. Maybe this is God’s way of telling us it’s time for a good old-fashioned Christmas.” I love this idea!
What if this Christmas, instead of taking Truth or Fake news to heart, that we make changes that cause our family celebrations and times together to be more about the true meaning of Christmas? About the ONE Who without Him, there would be no Christmas at all? About the One Who said, “Therefore I tell you, DO NOT WORRY about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?” (Matthew 6:25)