The entire concept of salvation is based on Jesus transforming our lives—the old is gone, the new has come (2 Corinthians 5:17).
Though the flowers are starting to bloom and warmer days taunt us, the official start of spring doesn't grace our presence until March 20th, 2025. Until then, we often wonder if the groundhog's prediction will come true. Will we be forced to endure 6 more weeks of winter, or will we receive the blessing of an early spring?
If you're anything like me, getting out of winter feels like conquering the most challenging hike you've ever climbed. By the time I'm finished, I'm frozen to the pulp, ready for a snack, and need seventeen blankets for comfort. While we can't control Mother Nature, learning how to boost our mood during these seasons can improve our overall wellness.
Here are 3 tips I recommend for improving your state of mind this March:
1. Engage in Intentional Acts of Kindness
We've probably all heard of random acts of kindness, but what about intentional ones? Numerous times throughout the Scriptures, it's clear that Jesus expressed kindness to those in need. What I find most interesting, however, is that these behaviors were always intentional.
We live in a culture that does good to others when it's convenient for them. Our 21st-century world thrives on spontaneity, busyness, and selfishness, even in its best efforts to show genuine care and compassion for those around us. February 17th is National Random Acts of Kindness Day. We're encouraged to do a good deed, buy a stranger a cup of coffee, and not grumble with our spouse when they forget to take the garbage out. But what does Jesus say about this?
As Christians, little imitations of Christ, we're called to be kind to everyone in every season—not just one day every year. Moreover, Jesus calls us to make our actions intentional rather than random. It takes little thought to do something random for someone, but it costs us much more when there is intentional thought behind it.
In 2 Samuel 24, David sins by taking a census of the land. Facing the Lord's wrath, David builds an altar on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite. When he reaches Araunah, Araunah insists on giving David the threshing floor for free. David replies: "But the king replied to Araunah, 'No, I insist on buying it, for I will not present burnt offerings to the Lord my God that have cost me nothing.' So David paid him fifty pieces of silver for the threshing floor and the oxen" (2 Samuel 24:24, NLT).
While this story points to our need to be right with God, it also reveals the heart we should possess when doing righteous acts. We shouldn't offer the Lord what costs us nothing. We also shouldn't offer kindness to others that costs us nothing. As Jesus says in Mark 10:42-45: "Jesus called them together and said, 'You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many'" (NIV).
Seeking to lay our lives down for others and treating them with kindness doesn't just boost our mood, but it helps us live the lives God intended for us. Serving others creates gratitude and thankfulness in our hearts while tending to a deep need in this world.
2. Get Outside
Beyond intentional acts of kindness, getting outside is one of the second-greatest ways I've found to boost my mood in difficult seasons. Especially when the temperatures still dip into the teens and twenties, it can be hard to force myself out of the comfort of my home and into the wind chill outside my window. Nevertheless, getting outside reminds me of two things:
1. My need for light.
2. My gratitude to soak in the goodness of God.
While I may not enjoy every minute I'm outside in the cold, I've learned that our bodies need natural sunlight to feel and function at their best. As a Christian, I find this clever on the Lord's part. John 8:12 and 9:5 tell us that Jesus Christ is the Light of the World. Even when we can't see the sun peaking through the clouds, our need for natural sun is still there. The same goes for our need for Jesus—the eternal light of our souls.
Getting outside of my home, whether it's to run errands, walk the dog, or take an hour walk around the neighborhood, also reminds me to be grateful. I don't take my phone because I want to be aware of the Lord's goodness around me. Having the capability to walk and move is a gift not granted to all, and I never want to take that for granted.
Pursuing natural Vitamin D from the sun not only boosts our mood and self-esteem, but it reminds us of our need for someone beyond ourselves.
3. Try Something New
Once we've participated in intentional acts of kindness and gotten outside, it's time to try the third and final mood-boosting activity: trying something new.
It seems that the older we get, the less brave and adventurous we become. Think about it. When I was a child, I wasn't scared of heights, spiders, or acrobatics. As I've matured, however, I immediately think of the consequences or downfalls. What if I fall? What if that creature bites me? What if I break a bone?
In the Scriptures, Jesus reminds us many times to maintain the heart of a child. This isn't because He wants us to be foolish or immature; it's because He wants us to display bold faith, radical commitment, and a brave character. Trying something new gets us outside of our comfort zone. It combines fun with productivity and improves our mood, which in turn boosts our confidence, creativity, and resilience.
In Isaiah 43:18-21, we read these words: "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. The wild animals honor me, the jackals and the owls, because I provide water in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland, to give drink to my people, my chosen, the people I formed for myself that they may proclaim my praise" (NIV).
One of my favorite parts about this passage is that while the people of Israel are feeling hopeless (their nation had been conquered, and they were in exile in a foreign land), God tells them not to worry. Just as He led their ancestors out of slavery, He would also lead them. But, it would appear in a new and fresh way.
I'm not sure about you, but trying something new often scares me. I like to eat the same thing for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, complete the same routine day after day, and find a fitness routine I can stick with. And yet, something within me also longs for something different, something new. I think God orchestrated that feeling within us to remind us that we don't need to be scared of trying something new. The entire concept of salvation is based on Jesus transforming our lives—the old is gone, the new has come (2 Corinthians 5:17).
If you're struggling to boost your mood in this transition season, I want to remind you that you're not alone. Things like seasonal depression and hating the cold are normal reactions to a world full of darkness. But friend, just as Jesus reminds us in each of these tips, you don't have to stay where you are. This season will pass, and in the meantime, there are practical steps you can take to navigate this March well.
Agape, Amber
Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/PeopleImages
