A Heart Check for the Holiday Season - Am I being selfish?

I had a moment this week — a gentle but unmistakable Holy Spirit nudge — that made me pause and ask myself a hard question:

“Am I being… selfish?”

Not the loud, dramatic, “center-of-attention” selfish.
But the subtle, creeping kind that slips into the heart during the holidays when the world shouts:

“More is more!”
“Buy this!”
“Do that!”
“Rush, hurry, go!”

And before I knew it, I realized something I didn’t want to admit:

My thoughts were centering more on myself than on Jesus.

Ouch.
But also… thank You, Lord, for the gentle conviction.

Because here’s the truth:
This season — of all seasons — is meant to draw us closer to Jesus, not deeper into distraction.

The enemy would love nothing more than to make this the time of year when we drift the farthest.

But the Holy Spirit whispered something soft and steady back to me:

✨ “Less self… more Savior.”
✨ “Less pressure… more presence.”
✨ “Less hurry… more humility.”

So this week, I’m shifting my heart in three simple but powerful ways:

💛 1. Less self… more Savior.

Not: How can I get everything done?
But: Lord, how can I honor You today?

💛 2. Less pressure… more presence.

Not: What’s still left on my list?
But: Who do You want me to see, encourage, or love right now?

💛 3. Less hurry… more humility.

Not: Do I have enough?
But: Have I given enough of myself to what truly matters?

And Friend… the second I re-centered my thoughts, peace followed. Because peace always comes when Jesus becomes the focus again.

📖 Scripture(S) of the Week

Philippians 2:3 (NIV)

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.”

Hebrews 12:2 (NIV)

“Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.”

Matthew 6:33 (NIV)

“Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness…”

These verses recalibrate the heart back toward simplicity, humility, and Jesus-centered living — exactly what this season invites us into.

🕊 Tip of the Week: A Holiday Heart Reset

Whenever you feel overwhelmed by the season’s noise, whisper this prayer:

“Jesus, center me. Pull my focus back to You.”

You will feel the shift immediately.

🙏 Prayer

Heavenly Father,
Thank You for lovingly revealing the places where my heart has begun to drift toward self-focus. Forgive me for the moments when I’ve made this season about what I want, need, or lack instead of what You have already given through Jesus.
Help me fix my eyes on You — not on the noise, not on the lists, not on the expectations. Teach me to walk in humility, generosity, and joy. Re-center my heart, reorder my priorities, and restore my peace. In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

💛 Call to Action: A Christ-Centered Holiday

If you’re craving a calmer, Christ-centered rhythm this season, explore my Faith-Based Vision Board Workbook — a simple, peaceful way to seek God’s direction for 2026 without the overwhelm.

✨ Pearls of Praise Prints
https://pearlsofpraiseprints.etsy.com

Let’s step into the new year rooted in His vision, not the world’s pressure.

In Love and Christ,

Dorene Elizabeth