SUNSHINE

Psalm 84 For the Lord God is a sun and shield (v.11).

You might be surprised by how many of us suffer from SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) without realising it. SAD is also known as Winter Depression. It means that the weather affects how people feel in themselves. Perhaps most of us prefer sunny days to cold, grey ones. But many people find gloomy days drag them down so much, it’s like they are suffering with depression. 

When I was a teenager (and before I became a Christian) I really struggled with SAD. Each morning I would check what the weather was like. If it was bright, I felt happy; if it was gloomy, so was I. One night I realised I needed Jesus. Kneeling by my bed, I asked for His forgiveness of my sin and invited Him into my life. 

The next morning I forgot to check the weather! It simply didn’t matter anymore. The “sun of righteousness” had risen in my life (Mal. 4:2). I didn’t need the actual sun to make me happy, now I had God’s Son to comfort and guide me. Since then I’ve had to go through some really dark times, but Jesus has always been my “sun and shield” (Ps. 84:11). 

I still prefer sunny days, but I’m no longer a ‘sun-seeker’. Instead, I look for and follow God’s Son who shines brightest in my life—whatever the weather.  

 

Thinking it over . . . 

What makes you happy? When do you feel your best? Does Jesus change how you feel about yourself, even on bad days? 

 

LASTING HAPPINESS DOESN’T COME FROM SUNNY DAYS BUT FROM THE SON OF GOD.