January 16th is dubbed the most depressing day of the year. Maybe this is because there's not as many daylight hours in the winter, or maybe it’s the fact that it's just so cold! I wrote in my Christmas Blog that this is the first year we have not gone somewhere sunny in January. It is definitely taking a toll on my brain. I'm not sure if it is the fact that I have had to work more hours recently, or that I have not been able to go outside as much as I'm used to, but this has been a difficult season for me.
A couple of days ago, I found myself arguing with my wife over a very small thing. I found myself complaining about a ton of different things that were happening in my life. I'm sure I was being an ogre and not a nice guy to be around. Typically, I'm an optimist and generally happy. Over the last couple of weeks, I don't think that's been the case. There's been a lot of challenges going on in our lives, and we've been having to push through more than usual. It just seems harder to be happy right now.
This led me to think about depression and darkness in general. Millions of people suffer from seasonal depression, also called winter blues. The number one way this is treated is with a special lamp called a sunlamp. You spend time sitting in front of this lamp and allowing the light to shine on you. This is supposed to make you feel better during the winter months. This treatment is dealing with the increased amount of darkness, by using light.
In the Bible, it is clear that the enemy is the prince of darkness. John 10:10 is explicit in what the enemy’s plan is for us. It is to kill, steal and destroy us. How does he do this? He tries to surround us with darkness. The other half of that verse, however, is what Jesus has planned for us. And that plan is to bring us an abundant life. How do you get there?
How do you go from kill, steal and destroy, to having an abundant life? How do you go from darkness to light? The Bible is clear. You put on the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness. You begin to count your blessings, yes count them one by one. Count your many blessings and see what God has done! In doing this, the light begins to first peek, then break in, and then flood in! Darkness begins to lift from my mind and I realize how trivial and even stupid the things were that were holding me down. I begin to thank Him and praise Him for what He has done, is doing and will do. What happened then? Breakthrough! Breakthrough is what happened! It wasn't right away; it took a few days, but breakthrough came. I've had a succession of seemingly out of the blue blessings that came into my life.
The truth is, God knew the breakthrough was coming. The enemy will often try to throw everything at you, including the kitchen sink, to try to stop you from getting to your breakthrough. Don't stop! Don't let him do it. Count your blessings; count them one by one! Count your many blessings and see what God has done! Start praising and worshipping Him. Get under that light that is shining! I believe you are right there, right at your breakthrough!
Thank you for reading and God bless