Every new season brings change, and as much as I would love several more months of summer, right now, it’s fall. Everything that was once green, is now changing to beautiful hues of orange, yellow, red, and brown. Then winter comes, the days get shorter, the nights get colder, and a sunny day becomes a rare occurrence. With that being said, just as the seasons change, so can our moods, energy levels, and emotional well-being.
For some, these seasonal changes lead to Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a type of depression that follows a pattern, often occurring during the fall and winter months. Why does this happen? Well, from a psychological perspective, reduced exposure to sunlight can affect mood-related brain chemicals - serotonin and melatonin. These chemicals are responsible for regulating our mood, sleep, and circadian rhythms. Reduced sunlight disrupts both, and as a result, can lead to symptoms such as sadness, irritability, lack of motivation, sleeping problems, and social isolation.
From a spiritual perspective, with the cold weather comes the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, but not everyone experiences them with excitement or joy. Sometimes, the season comes with reminders of people lost, unmet desires, and constant change that becomes too much to keep up with. Holidays can also bring additional emotional pressure, especially for those experiencing grief, relationship difficulties, financial stress, or family conflict. For some, a time that was meant to cherish family, friends, fellowship, and faith does the opposite, and can make a person feel sad, empty, and alone.
This is something I’ve personally experienced, because for many years, I struggled with seasonal depression. Relationship stress, financial obligations, work duties, etc., coupled with cold weather and little sunlight, brought about a cycle of sadness that started every fall. One year, I had enough and finally decided to break the cycle through counseling and prayer. Ultimately, I learned that a difficult season does not define my purpose, and just as winter does not last forever, emotional struggles do not have to be permanent.
Consider Psalm 34:18 "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
Just as the seasons change, our lives have seasons that require patience, adjustment, and restoration. Trust God during this season and let Him care for your mind and nourish your spirit.
