The leaves gently dance down from the trees with a tinted red-orange hue as crisp air fills your nostrils and the sun quietly peaks from behind its cloudy abode. It’s Autumn, and though you would love to soak in as many sunrays as the sun is willing to give—darkness permeates just after 5:30p.m. Dread seeps in. You wonder if it’s because of the sudden nightfall, or something more serious like a chemical imbalance. God, where are You?
Memories of your loved ones gone too soon weaken your spirit. And, there’s something unusually disgusting about the looming Christmas season. Jesus is Lord, Hallelujah! But also…standing in lines to buy gifts for people you don’t even like? Hard pass.
You feel hopeless, worthless, and lethargic. It’s giving…Grinch vibes. But worse. “I’m supposed to be happy,” you mutter, as you decline yet another call and text back, “Hey, super busy rn! Ttyl in a bit :)” and turn over in bed. Why is leaving the house so hard? You wonder through weepy eyes. It feels like everyone is pretending to care. Existing is becoming painfully nostalgic and too heavy to bear.
During this season of the year, many suffer from Seasonal Depression, or Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). It’s a type of depression related to changes in seasons, and it begins and ends at about the same times every year (Mayo Clinic). It’s thought to be triggered by changing seasons and usually worsens in the late fall or early winter before ending closer to spring. A research study confirms that women fare worse than men.
While it is somewhat normal to feel a little down during the colder months from being stuck indoors in the gloomy weather, some individuals feel a bit more “blue” than comfortable. And if that’s you—you’re urged to seek professional mental assistance. Especially, if you are having suicidal thoughts. Please immediately seek the services of a therapist, psychotherapist, psychologist, counselor, and the rest of God’s gifts to humanity in the form of interventionists.
Related: Dealing with Anxiety as a Christian Woman
But, don’t be afraid to grab your spiritual armor and “gird your loins.” In fact—be ready to. It’s no coincidence that the period that is meant to be the most joyous for collective attention to Jesus’s birth and the New Year—is also the same season with the highest levels of reported gloom and depression. Satan comes only to steal, kill, and destroy and his favorite play area is unfortunately the mind. Thus, we cannot neglect to be conscious of his devices through contrary spirits that seek to rob our happiness in direct defiance to Christ.
But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law, he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper. — Psalm 1:2-3
Another parable He put forth to them, saying: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field; but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and went his way. — Matthew 13:24-25
Enrich your soul with the word of God. Uproot the enemy’s tares and weeds from the fruitful garden that is your mind. Apply the scriptures as the seeds, and water them with heartfelt prayer. Over time, the mind becomes spiritually enforced and the lies cannot find a ground.
A Prayer for Seasonal Depression
Lord, I thank You for your rich love towards me. I am Yours and You are mine. I come to You now that You would revive my heart, mind, and spirit. I’m feeling down, depressed, sad, and anxious. This season is not giving me joy, but is reminding me of things I don’t want to feel. Right now, I lay my emotions before you. I plead the blood of Jesus over my mind, will, and thoughts.
I declare that Satan has nothing in me. I come against every spirit that is trying to weigh me down and depress me. I rebuke you in the name of Jesus because He has given me authority over you. You are beneath me and cannot rule over me. I renounce depression, suicidal thoughts, frustration, and sadness for the joy of the Lord is my strength. I declare that freedom, peace, and rest on every side is my portion in Jesus Christ. Holy Spirit, comfort my soul and let Your healing presence saturate my life everywhere that I go.
Amen.