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| "Why, my soul, are you down cast? ...Put your hope in God ...my Savior and my God. (Ps. 42:11) |
D uring my tenure as a marketing assistant with a large pharmaceutical company I had the opportunity to learn a lot about psychological diseases and their symptoms. One in particular caught my interest. It was a condition called Seasonal Affective Disorder. You may know it as The Winter Blues or as researchers dub it... S. A. D.
Generally, it is treated with anti-depression meds, life style changes and sunlight therapy. Although it can occur almost any time it is more prevalent during the dark, cold, and activity prohibitive winter months. People who suffer from S. A. D really are sad and depressed, so I guess that explains some of the moods we're seeing lately! But I'm beginning to see a bit of it among a particular group of individuals and in one particular place....The Church!
Here are the symptoms: Lack of focus; sleepiness; irritability; don't care about spiritual things, i.e., bible study, prayer, morning devotions. If not in the acute stage one can make it out to church, but barely. Once you sit down the hearing becomes dull. You're too tired to stand for praise; no clapping or hallelujahs during worship and you can't remember a thing the pastor said even between the dozing!
I don't think it would be much of a stretch to call this S.A.D too...Spiritual Apathy Disorder! With all the hustle and bustle this time of year it's just too doggone hard to get excited about Jesus! Too many parties to attend, too much shopping and of course the extra weight we gained from eating all that free food has more than our butts dragging!
No worries my friends. If you take heed this can be only a temporary condition. All you've got to do is apply some SON THERAPY to your day. I'm talking about a big dose of JESUS! Similar to the medical one, exposure to the Light works wonders! In John 8:12 we find that Jesus is the Light of the World. Like natural sun light, a dose of Jesus releases spiritual serotonin in your body which means He's an automatic mood lifter. You just want to smile more! Gone is moodiness and depression. Just a few minutes talking to Him in prayer each day makes all the difference! Wake up early and join us on the prayer line!**
Having problems getting those skinny jeans on with all the cakes and cookies consumed since Thanksgiving? How about fasting some of those heavy meals and feasting on God's Word the Bible! John 6:35 says that Jesus is the Bread of Life. I know you think you could live on bread alone but from one carbohydrate junkie to another...believe me you can't! Extra pounds make you sluggish and sleepy in church. Your clothes become too tight and you get subconscious, so you plant your self on the pew and don't get up until it's time to go home and take them off! Now THAT'S when the church really says AMEN!!
The Enemy works extra hard to keep Christians from focusing on God at church but he takes a vacation during the holidays because we distract ourselves! Yes, there's lots of things to do and it seems that everyone and everything demands your attention. Even the most organized soul finds it hard to keep up...no wonder we're irritable and stressed out.
So why not pick up the bible, turn to John 10:10-11. Jesus tells us that He is the Good Shepherd. Sheep don't go to psychiatrists! They don't worry or stress out over Christmas lists and dinner preparations. They just follow the Shepherd's voice and they know that green pastures are straight ahead. Jesus came to give us a life of peace...we've just got to stop long enough to enjoy it!
Generally, it is treated with anti-depression meds, life style changes and sunlight therapy. Although it can occur almost any time it is more prevalent during the dark, cold, and activity prohibitive winter months. People who suffer from S. A. D really are sad and depressed, so I guess that explains some of the moods we're seeing lately! But I'm beginning to see a bit of it among a particular group of individuals and in one particular place....The Church!
Here are the symptoms: Lack of focus; sleepiness; irritability; don't care about spiritual things, i.e., bible study, prayer, morning devotions. If not in the acute stage one can make it out to church, but barely. Once you sit down the hearing becomes dull. You're too tired to stand for praise; no clapping or hallelujahs during worship and you can't remember a thing the pastor said even between the dozing!
I don't think it would be much of a stretch to call this S.A.D too...Spiritual Apathy Disorder! With all the hustle and bustle this time of year it's just too doggone hard to get excited about Jesus! Too many parties to attend, too much shopping and of course the extra weight we gained from eating all that free food has more than our butts dragging!
No worries my friends. If you take heed this can be only a temporary condition. All you've got to do is apply some SON THERAPY to your day. I'm talking about a big dose of JESUS! Similar to the medical one, exposure to the Light works wonders! In John 8:12 we find that Jesus is the Light of the World. Like natural sun light, a dose of Jesus releases spiritual serotonin in your body which means He's an automatic mood lifter. You just want to smile more! Gone is moodiness and depression. Just a few minutes talking to Him in prayer each day makes all the difference! Wake up early and join us on the prayer line!**
Having problems getting those skinny jeans on with all the cakes and cookies consumed since Thanksgiving? How about fasting some of those heavy meals and feasting on God's Word the Bible! John 6:35 says that Jesus is the Bread of Life. I know you think you could live on bread alone but from one carbohydrate junkie to another...believe me you can't! Extra pounds make you sluggish and sleepy in church. Your clothes become too tight and you get subconscious, so you plant your self on the pew and don't get up until it's time to go home and take them off! Now THAT'S when the church really says AMEN!!
The Enemy works extra hard to keep Christians from focusing on God at church but he takes a vacation during the holidays because we distract ourselves! Yes, there's lots of things to do and it seems that everyone and everything demands your attention. Even the most organized soul finds it hard to keep up...no wonder we're irritable and stressed out.
So why not pick up the bible, turn to John 10:10-11. Jesus tells us that He is the Good Shepherd. Sheep don't go to psychiatrists! They don't worry or stress out over Christmas lists and dinner preparations. They just follow the Shepherd's voice and they know that green pastures are straight ahead. Jesus came to give us a life of peace...we've just got to stop long enough to enjoy it!
UNTIL NEXT TIME...
If you would like to leave a comment please send an email to: sisters4sisters@att.net OR scroll to the bottom of my blog page at http://alittlewiser63.blogspot.com click on the no comments by the pencil and it will change to a writing space.
If you would like to leave a comment please send an email to: sisters4sisters@att.net OR scroll to the bottom of my blog page at http://alittlewiser63.blogspot.com click on the no comments by the pencil and it will change to a writing space.
