God’s placement eased depression


Matthew 6:25-27    Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them.  Are you not of more value that they?  Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?

Proverbs 12:25    Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression. But a good word makes it glad.

I have SADD, seasonal affective depressive disorder. Thankfully, God has placed me in eastern NC instead of New England which is where I grew up. I knew winter was ALWAYS an issue for me. I enjoyed many winter sports such as  skating and sledding and although I tried skiing a few times, I was totally unsuccessful. But I never liked the early dusk.  Brrrr, it was getting dark by about 4 each afternoon–and looked fierce if we were due for snow. But there was always with an undercurrent feeling of unease, edginess, and I didn’t like the cold and dismal looks of naked trees and little color coming from nature.

I love flowers, green grass, blue sky and the lazy drift of the sun crossing the sky, signifying day’s end. It comes too fast in the winter when daylight says “good night” then rises briefly a few hours later.

I get depressed and don’t want to do much in the winter. But my symptoms seem to be less living here. The days are still short, but because of the location to the equator, they seem a bit longer than further north. And the temps can be cold, but are not as biting as in New England. And here bushes like some camellias can live, survive, and FLOWER in the winter.

As I’ve grown older, although much of nature may look like death; I’ve come to realize that it is a time for rest.  And then comes the re-birth.  So I am better.  Better for the knowledge and the experiences, and have grown in knowing no matter the feelings of yuck which come to me at times, it is fleeting and will pass.  So I tend to read more of His words and bask in His light.

My friends know I have issues with the winter season, so they tend to call a lot, check on me, and urge me to go out. Thank you, God for my friends, those living angels you’ve placed in my life.

I can appreciate more of the winter gifts of eastern North Carolina; warmer weather, slightly longer days, flowering shrubs, and the trees shed their leaves later than when they fall in New England.  Although the colors are more vibrant in the north, the golds and maroons in this area last longer before floating to the ground.  Because of the slower color transformation, longer days by a few minutes, and a warmer winter season, I do better here during the late Fall and winter months.                   

                                                                                                         

  

No longer do my thoughts get so depressed feeling like I will live in grayness forever.  So, again, God, with all your wisdom, you have placed me in the best place for me to live.  Thank you again for giving me such a blessed “bellaview” of the winter season. I feel so much better.

Comments

comments