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MOVING BEYOND THE MID-WINTER BLAHS Every January, I go through a period called “the
mid-winter blahs.” Those
wonderful holiday foods are now settled around my waistline.
The days are shorter with less sunlight, and the long nights are cold.
My favorite NBA team, the Milwaukee Bucks, are having another forgettable
season. The holidays are past, but
Easter and spring are still too far away. Our lives are difficult in various ways.
Following Jesus through thick and thin is hard sometimes.
The Master calls us to love, forgive, teach, and serve others, even when
it’s not convenient. We’re
motivated and propelled by the hope that, one day, in glory, the Master will say
to us, "Well done, my good and faithful servant.” It’s tempting to spend more time in the recliner or
watching TV, but that just seems to prolong the mid-winter blahs.
What can one do? Over the years, I’ve learned a few ways to move beyond the
mid-winter blahs, which I’d like to share with you. -Stay faithful to
Jesus. Put the Master first in
your decisions. Keep seeking Him in
your devotions, even if you don’t understand what He’s doing in your life. -Exercise in a way
that you enjoy. Our bodies are
God’s temples, Paul says. How are
you caring for your body? Exercise
can renew your body and refresh your spirit.
Find a kind of exercise you enjoy, and do it regularly. -If your world seems dark and hopeless, focus on the Light of the World.
The bright days are getting longer, and God Light can shine in your
darkness. See John 1:4-5, 1:9, and
8:12. Shine, Jesus, shine! -Praise God
personally because God is so great and wonderful and magnificent.
Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty…
Great is the Lord, he is holy and just…
Breathe on Me, Breath of God, fill me with life anew…
Praising God personally can refresh your spirit and renew your life. -If someone has
wronged you, seek to forgive that person, as our Savior forgives you.
Pray “Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.”
Praying sincerely for the person who has wronged you can remove any ill
feelings or bitterness from your heart, thus cleansing your heart.
On the other hand, if you have wronged someone, seek to make it right. Seek ways to teach
or serve others. Focusing on
others’ needs and concerns is a way to be like Jesus, and somehow, this can
renew our hope for a better world. We
can’t change the whole world, but teaching or serving others graciously can
influence our part of the world. Choose to do a few of these, and that will help you to move beyond the mid-winter blahs. I hope that our gracious Lord will be with you this winter! In His service, Pastor Randy |