To my expressions of joy at the cooler morning temps this past
week, I got this response from a family member, “I hate this time of year – I am already beginning
to feel ‘It’!” Not an expression of pleasure! “IT,” for this individual and
others, is commonly known us “the winter “blahs” or “the winter blues,” the medical terminology is Seasonal Affective
Disorder (SAD) – and these folks are looking forward to "IT."
Symptoms of SAD include feelings of depression or deep unhappiness which can range from mild to severe, and it is associated with changes in seasons, as well as the cold
and darkness of winter. In its severest form SAD sufferers feel hopeless or
worthless with some even having frequent thoughts of death or suicide. SAD
sufferers can also show abnormal irritability, and a desire to sleep and eat more,
resulting in weight gain
.
A range of other physical and psychological symptoms are
listed by the Mayo Clinic of the
Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. The institution advises SAD
patients not to just brush off these feelings or try to tough it out on their
own but to get medical help. Treatment is available to relieve symptoms and
improve sufferers’ quality of life.
Should a child of GOD with this condition respond like everyone else?
Believers are not immune to diseases of any kind and could
also be afflicted with SAD and also manifest any degree of known symptoms. The
response of any with a SAD diagnosis should be to take full advantage of available
medical assistance.
Ultimately GOD is our healer, but He does allow our healing
through science and medicine. GOD is the one who makes man’s minds and gives talent,
ability and resources to all people so they can learn about the world in which
they live, including what He reveals about science and medicine. This and all knowledge
belongs to and comes from GOD alone, and is for the benefit all people,
especially those who are His.
"Who
has put wisdom in the innermost being; Or given understanding to the mind?” Job 38:36
For
wisdom and power belong to Him. "…He gives wisdom to wise men and
knowledge to men of understanding. It is He who reveals the profound and hidden
things; He knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with Him. Daniel 2:20-22
Natural and the supernatural resources are controlled by GOD but He makes all
accessible to us, except for that which He chooses to keep secret. (Deuteronomy 29:29). Thus, as we seek
and accept medical advice and therapies we ought also to seek GOD’s WORD, pray, and
ask for prayers and support from the family of GOD.
Treatment for SAD varies based on symptoms and severity and may
include either, or a combination of, light therapy (phototherapy),
psychotherapy and medications. In a consumer
information bulletin the Mayo Clinic recommends SAD sufferers also, “Take steps to keep your mood and motivation
steady throughout the year.” This is where the children of GOD have a
distinct advantage over non-believers – we have access to GOD’s supernatural sources
of healing.
A daily dose of GOD’s WORD with the peace and comfort it contains is the ultimate Mood Regulator.
A depressed person may have feelings of sadness, worthlessness
and guilt, all emotions that are contradictory to what GOD desires for His
children – which is joy, a rich and abundant life in CHRIST JESUS and
forgiveness. How do we reconcile these opposites? We drink daily of GOD’s WORD –
the spiritual potion that He prescribes for all who are His, and yield
to its healing power.
Every WORD of GOD is meant to remind us of His great love
for us, how priceless we are to Him, and to what great lengths He has gone to
ensure we will forever be with Him.
- GOD loved us first and loves us still, enough to send His own Son to die for us while we were still His enemies: This is real love--not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins. 1 John 4:10; John 3:16; Romans 6:8.
- GOD delights in us: For the LORD delights in his people; he crowns the humble with victory. Psalm 149:4; Zephaniah 3:17; Psalm 104
- GOD made us each unique, individual, and one-of-a-kind: “…you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful..” Psalm 139:13-14; Isaiah 64:8; 1 Peter 2:9; Psalm 119:73-74.
- We are GOD’s masterpieces, made in His image, and called to live out our God-given identity as his children: For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. Ephesians 2:10; Genesis 1: 26-27; Isaiah 14:27; Romans 8:31; Matthew 5:48.
- We are sons and daughters of the Most High GOD: “I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.” 2 Corinthians 6:18; Romans 8:16; John 1:12; 1 John 3:2.
The Holy Spirit causes these truths to go deep into our hearts
and minds to bring soul healing comfort and give us strength to turn away from self-destructive
emotions and embrace ones that GOD affirms.
When GOD’s children face any life circumstances that cause our
souls to become weary with sorrow, the cure is to take in GOD’s WORD to regain strength and
perspective. (Psalm 119:28.)
In the WORD of GOD we find our assurance that we are forever
precious in GOD’s sight – it is that truth which will heal all our diseases!
...from everlasting to everlasting the Lord’s love is with those who
fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children. Psalm 103:17
Prayer and Thanksgiving: Our good GOD and faithful Father. Thank YOU
for YOUR WORD which gives life and health; thank YOU for the assurances of YOUR
precious love – it may be possible for a woman to forget her nursing child, but
YOU could never forget us nor YOUR promises. Thank YOU for the Holy Spirit that
helps us to remember who and whose we are – we are not worthless, guilt-ridden
and without joy, but are loved dearly by the MIGHTY GOD who is faithful and
good and kind; whose thoughts towards are more numerous than the sand on the
seashore. Father, we thank YOU for healing our diseases, forgiving our
sins, crowning us with loving kindness and redeeming our lives from the pit of
darkness through JESUS CHRIST, our Savior and LORD; to Him be all honor and
glory! And it is in His precious NAME we pray!
Amen!
Always by God’s Word and prayer,
Cecile
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