Light shines in the darkness
By Tonya King
Light shines in the darkness. We are deep into winter here in Northeast Ohio in the States. Currently it is about 28 degrees and snowy. I have not seen the sun in several weeks and the dreariness can cover a person like a big wet blanket. It is said that we, here in this part of Ohio, see less sun than anyone else in the whole of the United States during the Winter. I don’t know about you, but I need sunlight.
The benefits of sunlight are amazing. Exposure to sunlight is thought to increase the release of Serotonin which is associated with boosting mood and helping to feel calm and focused. Without enough sun exposure, serotonin levels can dip. This decrease is associated with a higher risk of major depression with a seasonal pattern. This is triggered by the change in seasons. I have blogged about the mania’s that come in the Spring, but Winter is a whole different beast.
But you know what? When I spend time with God each and every day, my mood is lifted. If I can get away and spend time in the presence of my creator, I start to feel lighter, more relaxed, more at peace. His love fills my soul with His sunshine and the darkness of depression is staved.
I know so many people who deal with depression during the Winter months and I often tell them that spending time with Jesus is a sure-fire way to combat those feelings. Anytime we allow the light of Jesus to shine upon our darkness, the darkness must flee. This is a promise, not just a musing. Jesus is our light and we must spend time with Him in order to “turn on” that light.
I know that, often, when we are dealing with seasonal depression, it can go so deep that just getting out of bed is a challenge. OK, so spend time with God while still in your bed. Try to tap into His strength anywhere you may find yourself. I know from experience that battling this type of depression is a threefold treatment and I am not, in any way, saying that medication and therapy are not major parts of getting well. What I am saying is that trying to combat your depression without God is an incomplete plan.
I love to meditate on John 1:5 when I am dealing with Seasonal Depression. It says:
“And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it”.
What a beautiful promise. As we find our way through the Winter months and look forward to the sunshine that Spring will bring. We must remember that Jesus is the light that shines in the darkness and we can be assured that He is in control. We need to look to Him from out of our darkness and allow Him to flood our souls and our brains with his light. The benefits are enormous and knowing He loves us and only wants what is best for us can allow us to trust Him with our darkest of moods. He is light! He shines.
Tonya King is a Writer, Speaker and Mental Health Coach. She is the founder of Faithful in the Midst ministries which is a ministry devoted to the healing and wholeness of mental illnesses through faith in Jesus Christ.
In 2003, Tonya was diagnosed with Bipolar disorder and has been advocating to include faith in Christ as part of treatment and wellness plans. She has been walking with the Lord most of her life but has drawn very close since her diagnosis and truly lives her faith.
Tonya lives in Perry, Ohio, USA with her husband of 31 years, Kevin. She has four children, two girls and two boys. She is available for speaking and coaching engagements.
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