I love fall. The crisp, cool air, the changing leaves painting the landscape in vibrant hues, the scent of cinnamon and apple pies baking, and breaking out the cozy sweaters and boots. There’s something charming about this time of year as we transition from the carefree days of summer to the more reflective winter months.
The Challenges of Shorter Days
But I’ve noticed that as the days get shorter and darker, it can affect my mood. I’m not the only one who experiences this – studies show that many people battle symptoms of anxiety, depression, and sadness as daylight decreases in the fall and winter months. This phenomenon is sometimes called “seasonal affective disorder” or SAD. The lack of sunlight disrupts our circadian rhythms and can lessen serotonin production, contributing to low moods.
Seasons in Scripture
As the preacher in Ecclesiastes wrote, “To everything, there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven” (Ecclesiastes 3:1). The changing seasons remind us that nothing in this world stays the same. We go through seasons of weeping and laughter, mourning and dancing. The Psalms frequently describe darkness and light as metaphors for our spiritual states. “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning” (Psalm 30:5). “The path of the righteous is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day” (Proverbs 4:18). Even in gloomy seasons, we can anchor our spirits in the hope of God’s salvation.
Embracing the Darkness
As Christians, we don’t need to fear the darkness. We can embrace quieter, slower seasons for contemplation, soul-searching, and lament. An essential spiritual practice is taking inventory of our hearts and admitting our struggles to God. King David wrote many Psalms crying out to God amid depressing seasons. He lamented, “Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me?” (Psalm 42:5). Yet David also proclaimed, “Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God” (Psalm 42:11). The changing seasons give us a chance to turn inward and examine our souls.
In his book The Celebration of the Disciplines, Christian author Richard Foster explains that contemplation is the ability to hear God’s voice and obey his word. It’s slowing down to listen and dig deeper into our relationship with God. Soul-searching is the process of aligning our true selves with God’s truth, even when it’s painful. And lament is pouring out our grief and struggle to God, who understands our suffering.
These spiritual disciplines may seem counterintuitive in hard seasons. We’re tempted to numb the pain through entertainment and business. But contemplation creates space to hear God’s voice. Soul-searching sheds light on areas that need God’s healing. Lament allows us to cast our cares upon the Lord. They orient our focus back to God, our source of hope. As Psalm 139:12 declares, “Even the darkness is as light to you.” God meets us even in the season’s gloom.
By taking time to be still, examine our hearts, and express grief to God, we open ourselves up to His restoration. The light of God shines brighter against the backdrop of engulfing darkness. Let’s leverage the changing seasons to draw close to the Unchanging One. God yearns to meet us in contemplation, transform us in soul-searching, and comfort us in lament.
Light for Low Seasons
Here are some actions for encouraging your spirit as the days grow darker:
- Read Scripture, pray, and listen to God’s voice. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you (James 4:8).
- Sing praise music and hymns of hope to lift your spirit. As Ephesians 5:19 says, “Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.”
- Serve others in need. Get your eyes off yourself and onto how you can bless someone else.
- Go for a reflective prayer walk outdoors. Let the sights, sounds, and smells of nature reconnect you.
- Journal about the things for which you are grateful. Count your blessings instead of your troubles.
- Take your cares to God. As 1 Peter 5:7 says, “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.”
- Share your feelings honestly with trusted friends. We need community in difficult seasons.
- Repeat affirming scriptures when negative thoughts arise. Stand on God’s truth.
Hope Springs Eternal
The change of seasons can reorient us to the ebb and flow of life. While the coming darkness brings introspection, we can anchor our spirits in hope. Never lose hope. The night is necessary before the dawn. This melancholic season will not last forever. God’s mercies are new every morning. We can uplift our souls by seeking the Light of the World, Who shines brighter than any darkness.
Corrie ten Boom and her family endured the darkest seasons in history when they were sent to a Nazi concentration camp for helping Jews escape the Holocaust. The barracks were infested with fleas, and the conditions and treatment were beyond comprehension. Yet Corrie and her sister Betsie clung to hope in God. Betsie proclaimed, “There is no pit so deep that God’s love is not deeper still.” Even in the darkest of nights, God sustained them.
The days may be getting shorter and colder, but we can kindle an inner fire of faith, courage, and belief that spring will come again. God walks through all seasons with us. Instead of hiding from the darkness, embrace this time to draw closer to God, our ever-present help, comfort, and joy. Like Christians throughout history, we can proclaim God’s hope even on the longest nights. Joy comes in the morning.
Tags:
#fall #winter #seasons #hope #despair #darkness #light #encouragement #devotional #Christianliving
Josh Cehulik 