Fall has always been my favorite time of year, especially living near the Rocky Mountains where the aspen leaves turn to colors of shimmering gold. I enjoy cooler temperatures that allow me to wear casual flannels and sip that extra cup of coffee guilt-free.
What I don’t enjoy about the changing season, however, is the invisible fog that eventually descends like clockwork, bringing a heaviness I can only explain as seasonal depression. It’s as if joy is harder to find, peace seems further away, and contentment is difficult to grasp.
But I have a new plan this year. For the first time in my adult life, I’m refusing to partner with seasonal depression, and here’s how:
The thing I regret most about seasonal depression is that it’s a time-stealer. It robs me of precious time with my family, time with God, and time in general. Often, I look back and realize I’ve been living in a fog, going through the motions without purpose or intention.
Ephesians 5:16 (NLT) says, “Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days.” I love the idea of making the most of every opportunity, but the suppression of seasonal depression makes it difficult. So here’s my action plan:
-I’m making the first thought of the day one of thankfulness and praise.
-I’m living intentionally in the moment, not wishing time away.
-I’m remembering that tomorrow is not guaranteed and today is my chance to live life to the fullest.
What about you? Are you sensing time is short? Are you tired of seasonal depression stealing precious moments with God and loved ones? Here’s a prayer for you today:
Heavenly Father, please lift the cloud of depression hovering over my life By the breath of Your mouth, blow the fog of heaviness far from me and let the rays of Your light shine through. Bless me with peaceful hours spent in worship and the Word. Fill my life with love, laughter, and fellowship. Give me the courage to refuse to partner with seasonal depression, and instead, live contentedly in the joy of Your strength. In Jesus’ precious and holy name, amen.
Seasonal depression has a way of narrowing our vision, so much so that it’s as if we’re looking at the world through a cardboard tube. Our perspective grows dim, our focus becomes blurry, and our gaze turns inward.
However, by refusing to partner with seasonal depression, I’m removing the blinders and stepping into God’s abundant blessings. I’m doing this by asking the Lord for His spiritual glasses to see things as He sees them. I’m moving forward with eyes wide open to the opportunities before me, including:
-The beauty of the season as the leaves change colors and the weather grows cooler.
-The upcoming holidays and how I can serve my family with joy and thanksgiving
-The important milestones such as birthdays, anniversaries, and personal goals.
How have you missed God’s blessings because of seasonal depression? Are you ready to see things from His point of view? Here’s a prayer to see His abundant blessings everywhere you look:
Lord, please open my eyes to see the wonderful things You have in store for me. From festive holiday celebrations to peaceful quiet times with You, please give me Your glasses to see the abundance You so lovingly provide. You are our Jehovah-Jireh, our Provider, and we don’t want to miss a single blessing from Your hand. In Jesus’ holy name, amen.
When seasonal depression has been part of our lives for so long, we might assume, “This is just how it is.” But the way we feel does not dictate how things truly are. There is a whole world of possibility beyond the walls of our assumptions.
Change is possible when we stop assuming and start believing. This requires us to recognize the lies we’ve believed and exchange them for God’s truth. For example:
-I no longer believe depression is part of who I am. Instead, “I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day” (2 Timothy 1:12 NKJV).
-I no longer expect seasonal depression to hold me back. Instead, “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14).
-I no longer say, “I’m depressed,” but instead, I speak life over myself by saying, “In Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” (2 Corinthians 5:17).
What are you assuming over your life? What if, instead, you began declaring God’s truth? Here’s a prayer of declaration for you:
Holy God, please speak life over me and remind me of all the promises You’ve made. Show me through the Scriptures how You are faithful to fulfill each and every promise, and how nothing is impossible with You. Lord, we believe You are more than able to keep seasonal depression far from us. We trust You to make all things new, and we look to You today, in Jesus’ name, amen.
At the time of this writing, the days are still warm and only a handful of leaves have started to yellow. But I know a new season is coming. In the past, I would have started to worry. Certain questions would have begun circling my mind such as:
How long until the depression kicks in?
When will the melancholy settle over me?
How should I plan for the holidays, even though I won’t have the motivation?
How far will I sink into self-isolation?
This year, I’m preparing for the old cycle of thoughts to come, but I’m planning to counteract them with new thoughts of hope and joy such as:
This is the day the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it! (Psalm 118:24)
No weapon formed against me shall prosper! (Isaiah 54:17)
I have so much to be thankful for—an endless list of God’s blessings!
I will make every effort to connect with God and others this season!
What about you? Are you preparing for the old seasonal depression to come, but with a new plan in place? Make a list of counteractions to help you succeed. Start with worship, gratitude, and praise. And when the low days come, view them as opportunities to rest in God’s provision and peace.
I don’t know about you, but I’m ready to sip that extra cup of coffee on cold mornings. I’m ready to pull out the fuzzy blankets. I’m ready to see the leaves change color and eventually blow off the trees. And in the process, new and beautiful things will take root. New memories will be make, new promises will be fulfilled, and new opportunities will arise.
No matter how long you’ve felt stuck in seasonal depression, please let me encourage you today. You are not alone in your struggle, and you are not doomed to a season of sadness and isolation. Let’s make this year different. With the joy of God’s strength and the peace of His presence, let’s look up to see His rays of light already breaking through.
Gracious God, thank You for signs of renewal displayed throughout creation. Just as You cause the winds to blow the leaves off the trees, You chase away the clouds of seasonal depression over our lives. Please give this reader a new vision of what is ahead—time with loved ones, opportunities to serve, and most of all, Your loving kindness. Let this be the year they can look back and say, “Seasonal depression had no hold on me.” Thank You for paving the way toward a bright, beautiful future. In Jesus’ holy name, amen.
More resources for your journey:
6 Important Things to Know about Seasonal Depression
10 Things You Can Do Now to Prepare Yourself for Seasonal Depression
Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/ Blasius Erlinger