Preparing your heart for family gatherings amid election results: How Christian Counseling in Chicago can help
Navigating family gatherings can be challenging, especially when personal beliefs clash, and conversations get tense. If you’re feeling anxious or discouraged about these gatherings, especially with the holidays drawing near, you’re not alone. As a Christian counselor in Chicago, I see how many people find themselves searching for ways to approach these situations with more confidence, and hope. But the truth is, even with the best of intentions, loved ones can end up hurting each other when disagreeing about heavy subjects like politics or election results.
You might feel like your efforts to connect, be understood, or keep peace aren’t working, leaving you feeling isolated or uncertain. But there is hope, these challenges don’t have to define you or your relationships.
I’d love to share some practical ways your faith and relationship with God can help prepare your heart and mind before family gatherings so you can feel more grounded in God’s love and more confident in yourself.
How can Christian Counseling help me set intentions Through Prayer and Reflection?
When preparing for family gatherings, especially those that may bring up sensitive topics, spending time connecting with God can help you stay grounded. Turning to God first allows us to express our fears, frustrations, and hopes, preparing our hearts and minds to be open to connecting to loved ones.
In Christian counseling, I often encourage clients to share their concerns with God through prayer and honest conversation with Him. The following verse offers a beautiful reminder of how we can approach God with these thoughts:
“Don’t be pulled in different directions or worried about a thing. Be saturated in prayer throughout each day, offering your faith-filled requests before God with overflowing gratitude. Tell him every detail of your life, then God’s wonderful peace that transcends human understanding, will guard your heart and mind through Jesus Christ.” (TPT)
This verse doesn’t mean we shouldn’t feel anxiety or other unsettling emotions, but rather it encourages us to bring every situation, every feeling, and every detail of our lives and concerns to God. It’s an invitation for complete honesty and surrender, allowing God to be with us in our pain. This process creates space for healing and keeps us from being “pulled in different directions” by overwhelming emotions.
With that said, here are three practical steps for prayer and reflection we can draw from this verse:
Spend time with God- “Be saturated in prayer throughout each day” and “...tell Him every detail of your life.”
Spend intentional time with God, focusing on who He is. You might choose a characteristic of God—such as His love, wisdom, or protection—and reflect on it. Take a moment to thank Him for this aspect of His character and consider how you’ve seen it reflected in your life.
Afterward, share what’s on your heart, whether that’s through writing, quiet prayer, or creative expression like art, movement, or music. If you have concerns related to the family gathering, bring those to God honestly.
Practice Appreciation- “Offering your faith-filled requests before God with overflowing gratitude.”
Appreciation is a powerful way to shift our focus. For example, has there been a time when you felt a deep sense of awe or gratitude for God? Reflecting on moments of connection with God can build resilience, making us more receptive to others even in challenging moments. Cultivating a state of appreciation helps us remember times we felt loved and cared for by God, which strengthens our ability to share concerns and emotions with Him now.
Shift your focus- “Then God’s wonderful peace that transcends human understanding, will guard your heart and mind through Jesus Christ.”
Practicing gratitude and honesty with God deepens our connection to Him, allowing us to feel grounded and open, even in difficult interactions. It helps in shifting the focus off of the problem and onto who God is helping us experience peace. With this mindset, we can set realistic expectations for family gatherings that honor what’s healthy for everyone, without aiming for perfect harmony.
Prayer and reflection aren’t just about easing anxiety; they’re a way of opening ourselves to God’s love, wisdom, and perspective. As we clarify our own needs and boundaries, we become more equipped to stay calm and present when challenging moments arise. When you spend time with God, it’s also possible to gain a fresh perspective on your family members and see them in a new light, even when you disagree with them.
How can I see my family members as God sees them, even in disagreements?
This can be one of the hardest questions to explore, especially when we feel hurt or misunderstood. It asks us to practice humility and openness, inviting God to help us see beyond our frustrations and focus on His love for the people around us. This is where gratitude can be a powerful tool.
As you bring your concerns to God, take a moment to ask Him to reveal a positive trait in the family member you're struggling with—something that reflects their goodness or the unique ways they’ve been created. Once you recognize this trait, spend time in gratitude, quietly thanking God for it. Letting yourself notice and appreciate this quality softens your heart, helping you approach that person with a bit more understanding and warmth.
When we view our loved ones through this lens of gratitude, we begin to see them with God’s eyes—seeing both their strengths and imperfections with compassion. It helps us move beyond feeling defensive, opening us up to a place where we’re more able to listen, connect, and stay grounded. God’s perspective invites us to engage in these interactions with a receptive and calm heart, allowing for a more peaceful, present approach to difficult conversations.
How can body awareness in Christian Counseling help in managing emotions during family gatherings?
Staying connected to God’s presence helps us see our loved ones through God’s perspective. Practicing body awareness can anchor us in that presence, helping us remain more grounded and receptive when family interactions become challenging. By noticing how our bodies respond in these moments, we give ourselves the space to pause, breathe, and invite God’s peace into our experience.
As a dance therapist who offers Christian counseling, I often encourage clients to view body awareness as an extension of their faith practice, a way to sense God’s comfort and guidance within. Through subtle cues like muscle tension or a rapid heartbeat, our bodies communicate when we might be feeling emotionally overwhelmed. These sensations serve as gentle reminders to slow down, reconnect, and address what’s happening with compassion, rather than reacting impulsively. Body awareness helps us become more receptive to the Holy Spirit’s presence, letting us manage stress without closing off emotionally.
It’s important to remember that grounding practices are not about changing others or ensuring that interactions go smoothly, but about caring for our own hearts and minds. If, even after trying these techniques, you still feel overstimulated or triggered, know that it’s okay to take a break. Stepping outside, taking a quiet moment in another room, or simply giving yourself space to breathe can be powerful ways to center yourself and recalibrate.
Here are some grounding exercises you can try before or during the gathering:
Deep Breathing with a Focus on Gratitude
Before you enter the gathering, take a few slow, deep breaths. With each breath in, imagine you’re inviting God’s peace and love into your body, letting it fill any places that feel tense. With each breath out, release any worry, stress, or self-doubt, knowing you’re supported. Quietly thank God for being with you and for the opportunity to connect with loved ones.
Deep Breathing with a Focus on God’s Peace
Before joining the group, or anytime you feel overwhelmed, take a few slow, deep breaths. As you breathe in, imagine receiving God’s peace and calm into your body. With each exhale, release any stress, tension, or self-judgment, trusting that God’s presence is with you. This simple act can prepare your heart and mind to engage with others more openly.
Body Scan for Calm and Connection
During the gathering, if you notice yourself feeling tense, try a quick body scan. Start at the top of your head, gently moving down your body, noting any places where tension has built up. Breathe into those spots, inviting God’s comfort there, and let your body soften. This can help shift you from a place of tension to a more receptive state.
Grounding Through the Five Senses
When conversations become overwhelming, try grounding through your senses to help bring you back to the present moment. Notice something you see, something you hear, and something you feel (such as the texture of the chair or the warmth of a nearby cup of tea). This quick exercise helps re-anchor you to the present, making it easier to stay receptive rather than reactive.
Body awareness reminds us that we can return to a grounded state with God’s help, even when situations feel overwhelming. By staying attuned to your needs and giving yourself permission to take breaks, you can approach family gatherings with a calm heart and positive attitude. Caring for yourself can open the way for more genuine, peaceful interactions, grounded in God’s love.
Final Thoughts from a Christian Counselor in Chicago
Family gatherings aren’t always easy, especially when strong opinions and past hurts come to the surface. By grounding ourselves in prayer, intentionally seeking God’s perspective, and tuning into our body’s cues, we can enter these moments with a softened heart, rooted in love and compassion. We have the opportunity to bring more grace to these moments, not by avoiding the tension, but by staying mindful of our connection with God and with ourselves.
If you’re feeling the weight of family dynamics or are seeking guidance on deepening your sense of self or building resilience, Christian Counseling in Chicago can help. In a supportive and faith-centered environment, I can help you feel more grounded, confident, and present, whether you’re facing challenges in family relationships or simply wanting to deepen your faith.
Schedule a Free Consultation for Christian Counseling in Chicago
Are you ready to approach your relationships with more clarity and grace? Schedule your free 15-minute consultation today to start building stronger connections with God, yourself, and those around you.
Lisaura offers individual relationship counseling, dance therapy, and couples workshops to help adults connect with themselves and others more deeply.
Spanish-speaking services are available as well.
