Psalm 119:147-148 - SAD relief

Just over two weeks ago, December 21, 2021, we passed winter solstice. Which means that the days are starting to get longer and nights are getting shorter.

Still, it's difficult to be excited about the alarm going off when you're warm in bed, and not looking forward to another dark, cold morning. Especially in an older house with less-than-efficient insulation and even the bedroom is cold.

If you work late, then you're coming home in the dark as well.

For some people, that's downright depressing. I have friends who have SAD - Seasonal Affective Disorder. It's a real condition.[1] For people suffering from SAD, they use special lights that mimic natural sunlight.[2] 

Even so, when the world is literally dark at night, there is a not-so-rational temptation to see life itself from a dark perspective.

Fortunately, as David wrote:
"Even the darkness is not dark to You, And the night is as bright as the day. Darkness and light are alike to You." Psalm 139:12, New American Standard, 1995

It can be difficult at those times to think of God, let alone talk to Him or hear Him speak. Find comfort in echoing these lines from Psalm 119 as a prayer:

I rise before dawn
and cry for help;
And put my hope in your words, {NLT}
My eyes anticipate the night watches,
That I may meditate on Your word. Amen.
(Ps 119:147-148, NASB95)

[1] https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9293-seasonal-depression
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/seasonal-affective-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20364651
[2] https://www.webmd.com/depression/what-is-phototherapy

Untitled photography of a night snowscape by Florian Maier-Aichen
https://www.saatchigallery.com/artist/florian_maier_aichen