Friday, January 7, 2011

Winter Blues

I just heard on the news that January 17th is the "saddest" day of the year for the general population.  Really?  How do the powers that be know that?  A survey?  A scientific study?  I guess it makes sense that the end of January can be pretty challenging.  Especially if you live in snow country!

As I pondered this news flash, I thought about how easy it is to feel joy and excitement during the holiday season.  Thanksgiving brings a feast and football!  Christmas is a time of more family gatherings and unexpected gifts.  Then we celebrate the end of the year with New Year's Eve and often January 1st finds us making resolutions ~ fresh starts! Yet, by the middle of January, many have become disheartened.  The endless cold weather adds to the discouragement we may feel.  Here in the upper Midwest, we call it the "winter blues".  Maybe even "cabin fever". 

Through the winter blues God lovingly anoints us with many fresh starts that can turn any January sadness into joy!  Each day we open our eyes is a fresh start!  Forgiveness of our sins gives us a new beginning.  The gifts of worship, inspirational music and books, and the gifts of places like Spiritual Sundays are available to help turn our sadness into joy.  The love of family and friends, and God's unconditional love and grace can fill us with so much joy that there is no room for anything else.

When the news tells us we are experiencing the saddest days of the year, don't take their word for it, just lift up your voice in praise and smile.  After all, every day is a new beginning! 


Please join Charlotte and Ginger at Spiritual Sundays to read inspirational posts or link up your own.  www.bloggerspirit.blogspot.com      

18 comments:

dominique said...

I'm in total agreement with this post. :-)

I've been reading "If God is Good" and "The Discipline of Grace" and am trying to grow deeper in my understanding how incredibly miracoulous and amazing God's love for me is.

Grace is unmerited favor because I deserved His wrath.

That makes me cry because He loved me so much that he would give his best (His son) to make sure that His love is now between me and His wrath.

The fact that I know that I know that God loves me should be enough for me to wake up every day, smiling.

I'm working on grasping that concept on a deeper level so I don't have to have "saddest" days but instead can have "joyest" days.

michelle said...

nice. i wonder why this is the saddest day too? all the crazy football fans even have superbowl to look forward to. ??? have a great weekend!

Karen said...

This is so true Renee, we let things & others determine our emotions! Instead of allowing HIM to be in control.

Vintagesouthernlife said...

Very uplifting post! "each day IS a new beginning"

Thanks for sharing, Annette

Nikki (Sarah) said...

I love your last lines the best....
'don't listen to the myths..praise instead.' thanks Renee. Hope your weekend is the best.

Musings of A Minister said...

Great insight. This post is needed at this time. Thank you.

MTJ said...

Hi Renee,

What a refreshing reminder that life is best lived through the abundance of God's joy and peace. I must admit to never having heard this description of a January day; perhaps in my case it is best I hadn't.

Thank you for sharing an improvisational solo to lift us from Winter Blues.

Blessings and peace.

MTJ

Charlotte said...

I hope Spiritual Sundays helps in this area. It is hard for me to relate to the cold dreary days in some parts of the country when the sun is shining brightly here.
Have a wonderful new week.
Blessings,
Charlotte

Jan Lyn said...

Every day is a new beginning...I love that and it is so true.
Love your new look here as well!

Sr Crystal Mary Lindsey said...

Amen Renee, the world is full of bad sad news. But we can rejoice and praise our God and rise above.
What a friend we have in Jesus..He is all we need. God Bless your great and happy January.
Love Crystal

Ginger~~Enchanting Cottage said...

This is interesting.It is kinda funny how they can tell this kinda of thing. Spiritual Sunday has been such a blessing to me because of everyone that I have grown to know.Thank-you for being a part of it.
Blessings,
Ginger

Tea said...

How true, we have to think over what is being fed into our minds. Your post made me think about the battle going on to make our minds disturbed, sorrowful and just cast down. Well, your post makes me want to fight the battle with all my might. Thank you.

Donnie said...

That was so sweet. No sad days here. Have a blessed Sunday.

Anonymous said...

Hi Renee, A great post to share at this time. Praying that you are enjoying this Sunday and that the week ahead is full of many blessings for you two.

dtbrents said...

I enjoyed your post. Your blog is lovely. I too am in the Autumn of my life. At 63 sometimes I wonder if I'm starting winter. I'm never depressed in the winter. We might get snow today and I'm as exited a child. Have a blessed week. Doylene

Joan Hall said...

Great post, Renee. Funny, here in Texas (where we don't get a lot of snow) I'm happy today because we had snow. It's so pretty and I've been outside taking photos. Turn that around to summer (ours are long and hot) and I find myself becoming discouraged due to the heat. 100+ degree weather isn't pleasant for being outside.

However, our joy doesn't come due to the heat, the cold, or the snow. Our joy comes from knowing Jesus and we can praise and worship Him anytime, any place, any season.

Blessings,
Joan

Deborah Kay at The Paint Splash said...

I had not heard about the saddest day of the year. Interesting, but as you say, who came up with it?. hmm is there a card I can buy for that? I would guess it has to do with the lack of sunshine, or the amount of bills pilling up from the holidays. It reminds me of a song, Turn your eyes upon Jesus. In these tough days, that is all one can do or every day would be sad/

Janis Van Keuren said...

Love your take on this news item! Our hearts can rejoice in the love of family and friends--who are still there after the holidays--and the love of our God that is there everyday!
Your post was great!
Blessings,
Janis