It’s my pleasure to introduce you to my writer friend Jenny Shinsky!!! She is really good at sharing real life stories in her messages. I visit Jenny at her blog just to fill up on some good news. Her news is always God’s news. She takes His word and makes it very applicable and easy to relate too. 

Jenny Shinsky is a writer and bible study leader who is called to serve in women’s ministry through teaching and writing. She calls your attention to our awesome God while living with every day struggles.

Jenny will be our Guest Writer today!!!!!

SAD

I remember the first year it happened. It was Christmas morning, fifteen years ago. I walked into my old bedroom in my parent’s house for a quick nap. At least I planned on a quick nap. Instead, the festivities of the day with family and friends happened without me. I slept the entire day and all that night.

This sleeping pattern continued throughout the rest of the holidays and into the New Year. Drained of any amount of energy, I struggled every morning to get out of bed. Not long after, I started to feel hopeless and had trouble concentrating. I did not want – nor had any energy – to leave my house.

After a few weeks, I decided it was time to see a doctor who diagnosed me with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). SAD is a type of depression that affects people during the winter season. It is triggered from a lack of sun and shorter daylight hours. It is also caused by an increase in the level of melatonin in the body, which causes sleepiness.

For me the depression begins right after the holidays and lasts through the end of March. I know it’s coming every year. I start thinking about it every October when a feeling of dread drapes itself around me. I manage to keep these overwhelming feelings at bay throughout the holidays but once they are over, it is like falling off a tall building and I have no control.

I don’t like the lack of energy, the constant feeling of needing sleep and the hopelessness that is sometimes made worse by the daily stresses of work, family and church activities. I find myself only going through the motions of the day with no enthusiasm for even the smallest things. I try to remain strong to defeat these feelings but I never win. Does this make me a weak person? Am I failing in my walk with Jesus?

Do you ever question your worthiness because of this heavy burden of SAD? Don’t worry. Struggling with these issues does not make you weak, or even a bad Christian.

I wish with all my heart I could give you a miracle cure to remove this heavy burden. There isn’t.

You may not be able to control this darkness that invades your body, but you can control how you react to it.

Deuteronomy 31:6 tells us that God has not abandoned you.

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

He is with you and will not leave your side.

Psalm 34:18 (NIV)

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

We only need to keep our eyes on God.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (NIV)

For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

And believe the promise that was given to us by Jesus.

John 16:33 (NIV)

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

 Hold on to Jesus, my friend, and let him get you through.

Jenny thanks so much for sharing your story today. 
You will find more of Jenny’s sincere and honest post at
https://jennyshinsky.wordpress.com/

For more great stories about God’s love and depression please come join me on Wednesdays.  Our series will start Feb.18th, this coming up Wednesday. 

If you have a story that you would like to share on a post please email me at lisadesign@comcast.net