“The Lord is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid?” (Ps 27:1)

Now that we’ve settled into January, you may notice you’ve been feeling a little down. The January blues is a real mood disorder that can be brought about by many things such as taking the holiday decorations down, going back to work after extended time off, or spending too much money during the holidays. It’s situational, and that’s what makes it different from seasonal affective disorder (SAD), which is due to lack of sunlight. The January blues usually last for a few weeks, while SAD can last for months, and for some people, the two mood disorders can coincide.

Knowing that I suffer from SAD, I’m preparing for the long, dark days ahead. The week after Christmas was a dreary one here in Oklahoma, and I noticed symptoms of SAD, including irritability and forgetfulness, setting in quickly.

I’ve written before about ways that I deal with SAD. One of the things I’m doing differently this year is bringing Christmas into the new year with me. I’m usually in a hurry to take down all the decorations and put my house back in order. But this year, I’m leaving the tree up for a few more weeks because the lights on the tree brighten an otherwise dreary day. They remind me of that we should worship Jesus all year long, not just in December.

Physical activity does wonders for my mood. I play with Lilly and take her for a walk, even when it’s cold and there’s still slush from a recent snow on the ground. I bundle her up in her coat, which she hates, but when she wears it, we can stay out in the cold temperatures a little longer.

I have a standing date with my small group each week, and I make an effort to meet up with friends outside my small group as well. Being around other people is one of the best remedies when I feel like hiding myself away. Surrounding myself with a strong community of like-minded women lifts my spirits. They pray for me and listen when I need it.

While I may not understand why I have SAD, I know God can use it to bring about changes in my character that he would like to see. I’m sure I don’t know all the reasons that I have this, but I do know I am more compassionate toward those with health issues because of it. It has also provided me with a way to connect with others. I’ve been surprised at the number of people I meet who have the same disorder.

Over the years, the Lord has shown me several ways to combat the sad feelings when they strike. The methods have varied depending on my situation. When I worked in an office instead of at home, I would seek out a coworker to chat with for a few minutes during the day. With the Lord’s help, I can continue to find things that lift my spirits and reach out to others with the same affliction. I know the Lord is there even in the darkest times, holding me close and comforting me.

Dear Jesus, thank you for walking by my side through the dark, dreary days of winter. Help me to find ways to counter the sadness caused by the lack of sunshine, and help me to reach out to others with the same affliction and show them the light of your love. Amen.