Victory Over SAD!

I just recently received an email from a health care magazine that had an article about how to treat SAD. SAD stands for Seasonal Affective Disorder. At first, I thought someone was just trying to be provocative to sell their health care product. I began to research SAD and find out more information. Seasonal affective disorder ( SAD), also known as winter depression or winter blues, is a mood disorder in which people who have normal mental health throughout most of the year experience depressive symptoms in the winter or less frequently in the other seasons of the year. SAD is characterized by sadness, a lack of energy and difficulty concentrating which is common to many forms of depression. SAD however, is not triggered by a “loss’ or “conflict.” Rather, according to health care professionals, SAD is brought on by a change in brain chemistry associated with insufficient sunlight. Every article I read said this condition was treated using some type of light therapy, medication, cognitive-behavorial therapy, a carefully timed supplementation of a certain hormone and certain vitamins or nutrients. But light therapy seems to be the primary or dominate treatment. As most of you are aware, I’m not a medical doctor nor do I presume to give you medical advice on SAD. I simply want to give you some basic information about this condition as I make spiritual application.

As a minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and one who is definitely concerned with the human condition, I immediately began to think about the Word of God and the condition known as SAD. We are freshly in the winter season here in the U.S. and at the threshold of a new year. This should be a time of happiness and great expectation of what God will do in our lives in the New Year!  If you are struggling with sadness or depression, no matter what the cause, the Word of God has an answer for you. Jesus Christ, the Son of God has purchased salvation for all of humanity. All who receive God’s grace and put their faith in the Son of God have access to God’s healing power (Ephesians 2:1-9, 1 Peter 2:24). From a spiritual perspective, I submit to you that perhaps your SAD is the result of insufficient Sonlight, not just insufficient sunlight!

The Book of Malachi, chapter 4, speaks of the coming of Christ as the Sun of righteousness that shall arise with healing in his wings. If you are wrestling with sadness or depression, I recommend the same thing many medical professionals recommend – light therapy! The light I am talking about is spiritual light. Jesus himself is the Light of the World (John 8:12). When we receive Jesus Christ as the Lord of our lives, we receive eternal life and that life is the light of men (John 1:1-4). Once you have received Jesus as Lord of your life, you must engage in constant and continual light therapy, that is – the Word of God! The Bible says the word of God is a lamp unto our feet, and a light unto our path. Psalm 119:105. It also says the commandment of God is a lamp and the law of God is light. Proverbs 6:23.

The light of God’s word not only brings healing to the spirit and body, but also to the soul (mind and emotions). Hebrews 4:12. So feed on the word of God regularly and frequently(daily)! Man does not live by bread alone. Matthew 4:4. Feeding on the word of God will produce joy and happiness in your life, and during times of sadness or conflict, strengthen you to endure and overcome. Hearing the word of God will bring hope into your soul and enable you to cast off the shackles of depression(SAD). God’s word is replete with precious promises. A PROMISE IS A REASON TO EXPECT SOMETHING! IT IS A REASON TO HOPE! So attend church regularly. Attend mid-week bible study regularly. Engage in personal devotional time with God daily. Your spiritual, physical, mental and emotional health depends on it! Your victory over SAD necessitates it! Guard your mental and emotional health – praise God frequently and regularly!

Engaging the word of God (light therapy) will enable you to overcome another type of SAD called Social Anxiety Disorder.  This type of SAD is characterized by intense fear in social situations causing considerable distress and impaired ability to function in some parts of daily activities. A particular symptom of social anxiety disorder is  a chronic fear of being judged by others and of being embarrassed or humiliated by one’s own actions. These fears can be triggered by perceived or actual scrutiny from others. Some physical symptoms often accompanying social anxiety disorder include excessive sweating, blushing, trembling, palpitations, stammering and even nausea. Some even have panic attacks as they must face a situation that brings them intense fear or discomfort. This is basically a fear of man! The word of God says the fear of man brings a snare (trap or bondage) into your life. Proverbs 29:25. The word of God says the solution is to put your trust in God!  Don’t give the words of your critics, especially ungodly or unrighteous ones more weight than God’s word, or godly and righteous counsel. Remember, God has not given you a spirit of fear, but of power, and love, and of a sound mind! 2 Timothy 1:7.

As you stand in this winter season and on the threshold of a new year, don’t allow fear to grip you, or sadness and depression to hold you hostage or overtake you. It’s time to get your brain chemistry back in balance by hearing and meditating God’s word. Be sure to get plenty of SonLight and engage in light therapy (feed on the word of God) during corporate worship services and personal devotional times in all seasons. Expect great things from God in this upcoming new year. Start the New Year right by soaking in some SonLight and engaging in light therapy at your church’s New Years Eve Celebration (sometimes called a Watch Service). Let the word of God set your expectations and declare your victory over every kind of SAD!