“In The Bleak Midwinter” is one of my favorite songs; not just at Christmas, but during all the other cold days of winter. I’ve lived in areas of the country that qualified as cold and bleak midwinters. Barren trees. Dead grass. Gray skies. Water as cold as stone. Earth as hard as iron. Frosty cold air along with frosty cold attitudes.
I’ve lived where Seasonal Affective Disorder reigns. Although we may not live in climates subjected to a lack of sunshine, many of us live in climates subjected to a lack of SONshine that can leave us feeling cold as stone.
Much like in the days when Jesus walked this earth, we live in a land of dark shadows and walk in darkness. A land where the Light of the World, Jesus, is suppressed. A land where darkness threatens to block out everything that is pure, true, lovely, just, noble, honest, and praiseworthy.
We live in a land where decency, purity, truth, and honesty are dismissed as habits of fools; and unethical behaviors, bullying tactics, lies, and dishonesty reign as tools of the wise.
Sounds bleak, but we need not despair for the Light of the World is among us, and His light casts out the darkness. Amen? Taking steps from the study on Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD, I’d like us to look at the Bible and see how we can combat a different kind of SAD – Son Avoidance Disorder – to get through the darkness.
Light therapy:
In the middle of the darkness, let’s focus on Jesus, the One in whom there is no darkness, and let Him light our way.
Stress management:
The Bible tells us to cast all our cares on Jesus because he cares for us. Meditating on the truth found in God’s Holy Word can help us do just that.
Exercise:
We gain great benefit from the spiritual exercise of prayer, reading the Bible, and meeting together with like-minded Believers.
Talk Therapy:
As iron sharpens iron, seeking out prayer warriors and faithful followers of Christ to talk things over can help our lights shine brighter.
Take trips to sunny places:
Traveling or moving to a sunny place may not be an option for us, but we can keep on the sunny side of life by turning our thoughts to whatever is true, lovely, praiseworthy …
Watch our diet:
If the daily intake into our mind is full of rage, insults, belittling, and rude behavior either from hateful social media rants; loud mouthed radio and television talking-heads; movies, television, or books that promote values contradictory to those found in the Bible, shouldn’t they be removed them from our plates, and out of our system?
Whether we struggle through the cold days of winter, or the cold days of living in a land of dark shadows, there is hope. For our hope rests in Jesus; The Light of the World. He is the One who makes it possible for us to shine bright for Him.
Instead of hibernating through the winter, let’s reflect the Light the world so desperately needs to see.
How do you let your light shine for Christ?
[bctt tweet=”The Cold Days of Winter” username=”inspireafire”]
I wish you well.
Sandy
