Hope for those with seasonal depression like me.

January and February have always been hard for me.

There's something about the cool, unforgiveness of winter that makes me want to curl into myself for sanctuary. I hate the cold. I hate gray, windy, rainy days. I hate waiting for ten minutes for frost to slowly melt off of my windshield while I shiver in the frigid car. I hate that it gets dark at only 4:00 in the afternoon. I hate winter clothes and layers. I DESPISE snow (so it's a good thing I live in the Deep South, as this drastically limits my interactions with it!).

Even as a young teenager, I remember struggling with seasonal depression and praying for summer. I'm just not a winter girl, and I never will be. I've spent ten years learning how to cope with this sadness that roots itself inside me and doesn't defrost until mid-March. The only thing that helps me to thaw is the warm glow of worship and God's word.

I take comfort in Scripture, and rest in worship and I am not made happy, but I am made whole, and that makes all the difference for me.

I want to share some of my favorite, most dear verses that have sustained me during the winters of my past. I hope they serve you well.

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” -Philippians 4:8

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” -John 16:33

“I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry. He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure.” -Psalm 40:1-2

“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” -Isaiah 41:10

“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” -Psalm 34:18

"Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you." -1 Peter 5:6-7

"Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain." -1 Cor. 15:58

A note on today's song: This song was initially a poem written in 1923, and is inspired by another beautiful verse, Lamentations 3:23.

Lam. 3:22-23 says this, "Because of the Lord's great love, we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness." Amen amen.