Germany and its World War I Allies began the practice on April 30, 1916,
as a way to conserve coal. America soon followed suit.
When I was
a child, I relished the extra daylight hours Daylight Savings Time
provided. There was more time to play outside with my friends. But in
the fall, I loathed the long hours of darkness.
As an adult, the
"falling back one hour" -- along with the decreased amount of light, often
leads me and hundreds of others into a gloomy and sometimes depressed
mood physicians have labeled the "winter blues" -- and in its more severe
form SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder). I find myself out of energy and
struggling to make it through the day. My body craves more light...more
vigor.
David knew nothing about DST or SAD, but he did know a
little about being down in the dumps. "I waited patiently for the LORD
to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of
the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid
ground." (Psalm 40:1-2 NLT)
Practical advice for fighting SAD includes having a well lit home during
the winter months and going outside on warm days to soak up sunshine. A
light box or fluorescent lights are also good investments. In more
serious cases, physicians can prescribe anti-depressants.
But any
or all of the above should be combined with letting more of the Son in.
I can flood my soul with spiritual exercises just as I flood my home
with artificial light. As I sit by the bright lights I can read and
meditate on God's Word, journal my thoughts, reflect on how God has met
my needs in the past and in the present, and praise him for all the good
things in life.
Don't let Satan tempt you to fall under when all
you've really done is fall back.
Prayer: Merciful Father, when
the blues set in, encourage us to trust You to drive them away.
