Have you found yourself feeling more anxious or apathetic than usual? Are you having problems sleeping? Do these things have you feeling irritable or depressed? Well, at this time of the year, you should know that you’re not alone. You, and many of the other people around you, are probably suffering from seasonal affective disorder.
While you may be tempted to ask your doctor for some help, they may simply tell you that what you’re feeling is both natural and expected. Most doctors won’t even prescribe any medication for these feelings. Fortunately, there are some things you can still do to help yourself.
Three Biblical Truths About Seasonal Affective Disorder
As Christians, we must stop to remember that God is sovereign over the universe and its seasons. He is at work through them, even in the dead of winter. Therefore, we can address our negative feelings spiritually. By doing so, you can start to feel better.
Remember God’s Purpose for Winter
For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater – Isaiah 55:10
We shouldn’t think of winter as a curse. After all, God designed it to help our world function. This time allows the land to rest from being cultivated. During this rest, the snow allows the soil to regenerate its nutrients and moisture. Vegetation also regenerates so seeds can be spread across the land and reproduce. Try to remember these things instead of being overcome by seasonal affective disorder this year.
Winter Reminds Us of God’s Unchanging Nature
For I am the Lord, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed. – Malachi 3:6
How the seasons change in the same way each year (e.g., cold, snowy winters; hot summers) is evidence that God never changes. As we look at the weather throughout the other months of the year, God wants us to remember that He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
Eventually, Winter Will End
For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. – Romans 8:22-23
Our Christian lives are characterized by times of waiting. While we live in a broken world with broken bodies, we’re waiting for the perfection of Heaven. We can compare this waiting to that of winter. When we look at things in this way, seasonal affective disorder shouldn’t affect us. However, in doing so, we must also remember to take comfort that better days are coming – the days of a new beginning.
Enjoy the Winter This Year
To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven – Ecclesiastes 3:1
Keeping these tenets in mind will help us get through the winter months without seasonal affective disorder. Just the fact that this season will end gives us something to which we can look forward. We just need to be patient and allow God to work out His grand design for this world.
