TRAVELING IN THE LIGHT

Every year I have to fight off seasonal depression. Oftentimes it goes along with situational depression. And I am not the only one. Before we can fight off depression, we first have to recognize it for what it is. Thoughts are mostly negative. It feels like a darkness has enveloped you. You lose much of your drive. You have trouble facing each day. You withdraw from others or you seek out those who might make you feel better, either through their fun-loving spirit or through their words of true wisdom and caring. You feel unloved and tell yourself you are a loser. You lose hope that any good thing will come your way. Some turn to alcohol, drugs, gambling, sex, food or anything else that might give their attitude a lift. That oftentimes leads to more problems and makes life worse than before. And if there are young ones in the house, they are learning from your behavior in how you face life's battles.

I wrote this poem twenty-something years ago while going through one of my bouts of depression. I added one of the verses today (today now being years ago).

TRAVELING IN THE LIGHT

There was no place in my mind to find peace,

No place in my heart to find rest.

So many things in my life had gone wrong,

My sanity seemed put to the test.

I traveled the labyrinth of my mind,

I searched every cranny and nook;

Yet I found only sadness or trouble,

No matter where in it I looked.

As among the dark tunnels I traveled,

I was always looking down.

It wasn’t until I looked up,

That I began to lose my frown.

I basked my mind in the light of the Son,

And felt a healing like no other kind.

A peace that passes understanding,

Flooded the corridors of my mind.

I found comfort in reading God’s Word,

Where He invites those who need rest,

Who are weary and heavy laden,

To put His love to the test.

Now I welcome my family and friends,
Whom I've avoided way too long.
I look for ways to help others,
And praise Jesus Christ through song.

Though the road of life for me is still rough,

Christ lights my path as I roam.

He will give my mind direction,
'Til He escorts me safely home.

Becky Wall