Day 7: BLUEfire

Lifted in a Summer Sky

Welcome to the second week of 31 Days! The topic here is "Where Depression Meets Grace," a celebration of God's goodness in the face of adversity, drawn from my own experiences with clinical depression and reflections on the healing journey I've been on by God's Grace.

I thought we'd kick off this week with a series on "The Color of Depression." As I write this cloudy morning, my eyes are bathed in blue light as if from a cheerful summer sky. That's because one of my treatments for depression is light therapy -- using a light box for half an hour or so in the mornings to help me start the day. (Note: I don't advise starting any kind of treatment, including light therapy, without the supervision of a medical professional.)

As I understand it, using bright light treatment helps combat the yearly changes in natural light levels that trigger seasonal affective disorder (SAD) and also fuel major depressive episodes in those already struggling with depression. Particular wavelengths and intensities of blue light -- in essence mimicking a summer day -- have been found to be very effective in improving energy and morning wakefulness (scientifically, I'm learning, by inhibiting the production of sleep-inducing melatonin through light to retinal photoreceptors).

In the midst of this, I was reminded how it is ultimately God's Light burning in us that gives us the will and the strength to live. To get up in the morning and face a new day with hope and trust.

May these reflections, as well as this inspiring music video, be an encouragement to you as you walk out this Monday in faith.

Bart Millard, "It Must Be You" (Moses)

Films & Music Inspired by The Story

 

Anazopureo,*
 

Healed By His Wounds

*From the Greek, literally meaning "bring the fire alive again," as used in II Timothy 1:6.

 

~ Linking up this Monday over at The Wellspring's Playdates with God