“… but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7 (NIV)
I’ve heard it said that depression hits an all-time high in winter. I can definitely see how that is possible, because the weather alone can feel depressing and complicate other emotional stressors we’re dealing with. Dreary weather certainly sets the mood, inviting us to park our emotions there even if we know the Living Light.
It’s been dark, cold, and rainy for over a week or more at my house. The other day I was outside on the porch when the sun briefly broke through the clouds. It made me stop and turn my face toward the warmth. The light gave me a smile, and I lingered, taking in a few deep breaths. The sun slid back behind the clouds, but I felt a jumpstart on my joy.
I have a friend who practices light therapy. She’s very in tune with her emotions, so she’s proactive about using light therapy to get ahead of any signs of depression. She feels this is helpful, and others seem to feel the same because they pay generous amounts of money for light therapy. It’s said to “balance your body clock,” leave you feeling rested, refreshed, and even “nourished all over.” It’s recommended by various notable psychiatry institutes as an antidepressant that will “brighten your spirit.”
Why is such relief, joy, and relaxation related to the appearance of the sun? How is it possible that light can leave us feeling rested and refreshed?
Standing on my porch and experiencing the sun, I got a small but powerful reminder of what it feels like to step out of the dark and into the light. The dreary weather left my spirit with a feeling of heaviness. But, when the sun pierced the darkness, the warmth embraced my skin, and I felt joy restored to my spirit.
The battle of dark and light is nothing new. The Word says there is nothing new under the sun. Whether it’s lost vs. found or dead vs. alive, etc., the good vs. evil struggle will always trace back to dark vs. light.
This push and pull plays out in various scenarios on a daily basis. Do we cherish creation and value life as sacred? Do we embrace the Creator of life and strive to learn His heart? Do we build people up, lend a helping hand, and express gratitude for servers and customer service people?
I was reminded of something else that day on my porch, and I’ve shared it often. No matter what it looks like and no matter what it feels like, the truth is that the sun is shining right above my head.
When the dark wants to attack the things you hold close to your heart, when a spirit of death wants to kill your faith, and when the lost of this world want to highjack your peace, don’t take the bait. Remember, the truth is that God is still on the throne and He is still in control.
He is the Light that pierces your darkness. When they drove those metal stakes of death into His hands and feet, the goal was to destroy Him, to remove the Light forever. But He turned those instruments of death into mere shards when His love conquered death and He rose to life again. He’s the sunshine right above the clouds. He’s the Living Light. He’s sees you, He hears you, and He cares for you, sweet one.
NOW LIVE LOVED and THRIVE!
Self-reflection
These questions are in no way a substitute for healthcare professionals or any level of professional counseling. I’m an advocate for taking care of oneself mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. These questions reflect my heart, NOT my profession.
This questionnaire is an opportunity to journal your thoughts and feelings. It can serve as a launching pad on which to evaluate your heart condition as you understand it. My hope is that you will take the truths you discover about yourself and hold them up to the Light to evaluate them against who God says you are.
- How does light/sun make you feel?
- How does bad weather make you feel?
- Are there any dark clouds over your life today? If so, what are they?
- In what way can God shine His Light on you today? Talk to Him about it.
- How can you shine your light on others?
- Ponder and journal more thoughts and feelings.
Use God’s word to take control over traumas in your life. Whenever you feel terrorized by your thoughts, take them captive by replacing them with the truth of God’s promises found in His word.
Print, then cut and carry this Scripture with you and/or post it in places where you will see it often. Ground yourself in God’s truths not Satan’s attacks. Encourage your heart and mind every time you are reminded of His great love for YOU!
Here is what God’s word says to encourage you and to give you an example of His unfailing, relentless, unending love for you:
“… but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7 (NIV)
When you read God’s Word say to yourself: Jesus is the Light of the world. He is the reason we have life even though there is death, good in the midst of evil and we’re found in Him even when this world tries to tell us that it’s better to stay lost. When we do life, hand in hand with the Light, then we are His and we are forgiven. An intimate and personal relationship with Jesus says we belong, we’ve been spoken for and we’ll never be alone because we are in a covenant relationship with the Light that pierces all darkness.
Now LIVE LOVED and THRIVE!
