The “winter blahs” may not be the best term. It’s a common expression but may not convey just how heavy our spirits can feel this time of year. The medical term for this condition is Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). According to the Mayo Clinic website, SAD symptoms typically start in the fall and continue on through the winter, sapping your energy and making you feel moody, discouraged, unmotivated, unproductive and worthless.
If you struggle with SADness, I want to give you gospel encouragement along with practical counsel and resources.
Gospel Encouragement
Recently we celebrated Christmas. When the angel announced Jesus’ birth, he said, “I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:10-11).
This pronouncement is not just for Christmas, but for every day of our lives. Jesus came to die on the cross as our substitute in order to satisfy God’s righteous wrath against our sin (Rom. 5:6-10). Three days later Jesus rose from the dead, showing that he had conquered death for all who believe in him (1 Cor. 15:53-56).
Because of Christ, we believers are reconciled to God (Rom. 5:1), forgiven (Eph. 1:7-8), and have eternal life (Rom. 6:23). That is cause for great joy!
Practical Counsel
Nevertheless, we can still struggle with discouragement. That’s why Paul tells believers, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice” (Phil. 4:4). He then gives good practical counsel on how to battle anxiety and fight for joy (see Phil. 4:5-9). After all, the fight for joy is part of “the good fight of the faith” (1 Tim. 6:12).
With that in mind, Mark Altrogge lists seven ways to fight for joy:
Realize that all lasting joy is found in Christ. Jeremiah 2:13 says “for my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed out cisterns for themselves, broken cisterns that can hold no water.” When we look to anything else but Jesus for lasting joy we’ll come up empty.
Abide in Christ. Seek him, walk with him, rest in him, trust him. In John 15:9-11 Jesus said: “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.”
Take in God’s Word. Jeremiah 15:16 says, “Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart.” God’s word is a conduit of his joy to us. As we continue to take it in, believe and obey it, it becomes a joy and delight. His promises give us hope and make us glad.
Thank him and praise him for as much as you can. Thank him for spiritual blessings and material blessings. A thankful heart is a joyful heart.
Ask Jesus for joy. As David prayed in Psalm 51:12: “Restore to me the joy of your salvation.”
Contemplate your salvation and heaven to come. In Luke 10:20 Jesus said, “Rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”
Tell yourself to hope in God. David took himself by the collar and shook himself in Psalm 42:5-6 and said, “Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.”
Additional Resources
Maybe you’re looking at the above list and thinking, “Yeah, I know that’s right, but right now I just don’t desire God.” That may be hard to admit, but if it’s true, there’s a wonderful resource for you. Years ago John Piper wrote a book titled When I Don’t Desire God: How to Fight for Joy. I’ve read this book and highly recommend it.
One other musical resource is an album by Sovereign Grace Music titled Come Weary Saints. These songs have been composed for the purpose of soothing and strengthening your soul. My favorite song on the album is “Oh the Deep, Deep Love.” Why not take a moment to listen to it now?
Life is tough, but God’s joy is real. Fight for it, because it’s worth it.