January is hard. It’s just plain hard.

I see many people struggling at the first of each year. If you are not one of those people, you have a lot to be thankful for.

Yesterday I wrote about choices and the first of the year. Click here to see if this could be helpful to you: http://waylonbailey.com/2015/01/06/your-two-choices/

What makes January so hard and what can I do to help myself?

1. The holidays are over. Christmas has such a big buildup that it’s almost inevitable to have an associated letdown. Did you see the Christmas decorations up before Halloween? Anything that gets such promotion will take some days to get over.

Focus on substantive change. Start a Bible study. Connect with your church. Get meaningfully involved in groups and issues where you can make a difference.

2. The holidays didn’t fix my problem. We become let down knowing our lives are no better. Sometimes we think our problems will solve themselves. That’s faulty thinking. Problems rarely get better with time.

You can help the situation by hitting it head on. Focus on finding quality, long-term solutions.

3. The holidays made my problem worse. Financial and alcohol problems can be exacerbated by the holidays.

Determine to take steps to correct those abuses. Neither more shopping nor alcohol will make your problem better. Alcohol is a depressant; it will not pick you up.

4. The weather is bad. There’s not much you can do about the weather, but you can look for every opportunity to get outside.

If you can’t get outside, do something helpful like “spring cleaning.” Making progress at something always makes me feel better.

You will be most helped when you get in touch with the God who created you. I suggest you read Psalm 1 and Philippians 4:4-9. Meditate on God’s goodness and blessings and look for someone to bless who is struggling as well.

I write a devotional like this everyday. You can receive it free of charge by subscribing at www.waylonbailey.com.