When we see those words, some of us may think about those persons who lost loved ones during the year. They’re facing the great task of celebrating the holidays without that person for the first time. What I would like to do is help you rethink the term from a big picture perspective.
I have a friend that was dealing with unemployment during the holiday season. I have another friend that dealt with not having as much as he had hoped for the holiday season. This led to a depression that even they didn’t realize was happening. The stress of not having had become their evaluation of that year. Because they could not do what everyone else was doing, they drifted through the holiday season in a daze. They were experiencing Seasonal Depression. It is the downward evaluation of your year in review. It’s what you feel when you look forward to the Christmas tree and the fear of having few gifts to wrap. It’s the evidence of goals met, or the evidence of how far behind you really are. That‘s in your mind. That’s what you’re thinking.
These are practical feelings going South quick. God has already presented words of comfort we can review.
Psalm 121 presents an active role for the Believer. It’s what I call a “Psalm on the move“. Here’s a breakdown:
- V.1: There’s something Christians need to do, and we have to be confident in that action.
- V.2-4: We should specify where that confidence come from, and remind people that he will never “go asleep on watch”.
- V. 5-6: God is in control! He controls the day and the night! Why am I worried?
- V. 7. God protects us externally and internally. It’s not about what you see all the time, but it’s about what you don’t see. The Holiday season is all about what you see. All the decorations, sales, and food of course. It hurts when you can’t participate at the level you want to participate. What I am challenging you to do this season is to let the Holy Spirit intervene. Don’t worry about what you don’t have and take it day by day, as Jesus tells us to pray (Matt.6: 9-13).
- V.8: God tends to our daily operations. If we can remember that God is in control from the moment we get up to the time we lay back down, you’ll beat Season Depression. Ask yourself this question: How do you start your day? Am I starting my day from a Biblical worldview or do I turn on the TV first? (We all do this, relax.) Make it a discipline that before you start your day you talk to the Lord. Get your mind there and the body will follow in health.
We all have goals. We’ll meet some and miss some. Life is going to happen. When it does, remember that though you may not be where you want to be, you’re further than what you were last year at this time. Broaden your perspective on Seasonal Depression and help protect yourselves and your loved ones from facing a season where we recognize the birth of Jesus Christ with stress.
You’re here. Let’s go there. We’re praying for you. Got a prayer request connected to Seasonal Depression Tell me about it.
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Thank you for speaking truth about a very real issue. I also blog about knowing God during depression, and it’s so important to remember that we have hope in Christ no matter what our circumstances are this Christmas season.
Great. I will in a couple of days. :)
I entered a comment a few minutes ago anonymously by accident. I live by Grace and I repeat my earlier post
I know personally about God Provision and I am so overwhelmed that my words cannot express my gratitude.
I know personally about God Provision and I am so overwhelmed that my words cannot express my gratitude.
These are awesome thoughts – We should be doing allllll of this. Thank you for sharing!
Sure, go right ahead
Very encouraging and appropriate during this holiday season. I am happy that you touched on the idea that it’s “seasonal depression.” And we all go through seasons of hard times (with or without the holiday season involved) but God can help us through. :)
I really like this post. Do you mind if I reblog it? :)
Walk by faith and not be sight – For I am the Lord, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed. Malachi 3:6.
In regard to the personality and prerogatives of God, where He is, and what He is, this is a subject which we are not to dare to touch…. The one who in the daily life holds closest communion with God, and who has the deepest knowledge of Him, realizes most keenly the utter inability of human beings to explain the Creator….
God always has been. He is the great I AM. The psalmist declares, “Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.” Psalm 90:2. He is the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity. “I am the Lord, I change not,” He declares. With Him there is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. He is “the same yesterday, and to day and for ever.” Hebrews 13:8. He is infinite and omnipresent. No words of ours can describe His greatness and majesty.
Above the distractions of the earth He sits enthroned; all things are open to His divine survey; and from His great and calm eternity He orders that which His providence sees best.
God does not propose to be called to account for His ways and works. It is for His glory to conceal His purposes now; but by and by they will be revealed in their true importance. But He has not concealed His great love, which lies at the foundation of all His dealings with His children.
The rainbow about the throne is an assurance that God is true…. We have sinned against Him and are undeserving of His favor; yet He Himself has put into our lips that most wonderful of pleas: “Do not abhor us, for thy name’s sake, do not disgrace the throne of thy glory: remember, break not thy covenant with us.” Jeremiah 14:21. He has pledged Himself to give heed to our cry when we come to Him confessing our unworthiness and sin. The honor of His throne is staked for the fulfillment of His Word to us.
I was considering the awesomeness of God this morning. We serve a might God. Let us stand up for righteousness and have confidence that we serve a risen saviour. The war has been won. Although the enemy still rages on, let us rejoice. God is good all the time. Let us come to his throne of Grace and cast our burdens at his feet. For He who holds all things together in the palm of his hand is able to provide and sustain us.
Excellent