SAD is an acronym for Seasonal Affective Disorder. Johns Hopkins medicine defines SAD as a type of depression. It happens during certain seasons of the year, most often fall or winter. It is thought that shorter days and less daylight may set off a chemical change in the brain leading to symptoms of depression. (http://hopkinsmedicine.org)

Depression is often misunderstood and persons who suffer from depression frequently hear comments such as, “You just need to get over it” or “You just need to pray more” or “have more faith.” These comments do nothing to support the person experiencing depression, and, often, only deepen the depression and isolation the person is experiencing.

Hopkins Medicine states depression is different from feeling sad or unhappy. It is not a sign of personal weakness or a condition that can be willed or wished away (emphasis added).Women are affected more often than men. Without treatment, depression can last weeks, months or years, but most people respond well to medication, therapy, or a combination of the two.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 reminds us, “For everything there is a season, . . .”  Seasonal Affective Disorder happens during certain seasons of the year, often fall or winter. It is not too much of a stretch to suggest that Spiritual Affective Disorder happens in various seasons of our spiritual life. Spiritual Affective Disorder is a season in our lives when the circumstances we are facing conflict with our religious convictions and practices. The activities of faith which once brought peace and security, in this season, leave us empty and searching.

We have all been there. We pray, but no answer comes. We go to church, but the music and the message don’t move us at all. Bible studies and small groups feel like a waste of time. Spiritually we feel lost, discouraged, alone, depressed. The last thing we need or want are hollow words telling us to “just get over it.” Spiritual Affective Disorder is real and if we choose to walk the path of discipleship, we will inevitably experience seasons of despondency, loneliness, fear, and disappointment.

We have all met those wonderful (exasperating) people, who always have a big smile, and proclaim, “God is good! All the time!” No question. God is good. All the time. But I am human. My life experiences seasons, seasons of doubt, discouragement, frustration, and loneliness. God is good, but I don’t always feel the goodness and joy of God’s presence.

In the incarnation Jesus willingly took upon himself the limitations and experiences of being fully human. (Philippians 2:6-8) He must have been profoundly disappointed when his friends argued over who would be greatest in the kingdom of heaven (Mark 9:33-34). He sounds angry and frustrated over the failure of the disciples to cure the epileptic boy. “You faithless and perverse generation, how much longer must I be with you? How much longer must I put up with you?” (Matthew 17:17, Mark 9:19, Luke 9:41). These are human responses of one who has modeled what it means to be a servant leader and is confronted with misunderstanding and human selfishness. These must have have been seasons of discouragement for Jesus. The betrayal of Judas, the Garden prayer, the denial of Peter, must have been for Jesus moments of sadness and disappointment. “So, could you not stay awake with me one hour?” (Matthew 26:40). Hear the disappointment in Jesus’ voice, “I only asked for one hour. Was that too much?”

We have an unfortunate tendency to look at only one side of the incarnation. We have no trouble seeing Jesus as fully God, but we have great difficulty understanding Jesus as fully human. However, both are present in the incarnation. Jesus became hungry, tired, frustrated, joyful, experiencing all the emotions of being fully human just as we do.

The other side of the incarnation of course, is that Jesus was also fully God. In those seasons of disappointment and frustration, Jesus took the time to get away with God for times of personal prayer and renewal. Matthew 14:23 relates one such moment in Jesus’ season of ministry. “And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray” (emphasis added). The night before his death, Jesus left his closest friends and went a short distance away by himself to pray (Matthew 26:36-56, Mark 14:32, Luke 22:39-42). Luke’s gospel notes that after a strenuous day of healing and teaching, “he would withdraw to deserted places and pray” (5:16). Luke’s gospel notes Jesus at prayer more than any of the other gospels.

Seasonal Affective Disorder can be treated with light therapy, psychotherapy, and in some cases antidepressants. Spiritual Affective Disorder can be treated by living into the light. This is an incarnational approach which affirms that the Word is light, and, in the Word, there is no darkness. (See John 1:1-5)

In seasons of Spiritual Affective Disorder, we may not want to pray. The death of a loved one, loss of a job, divorce, or the loss of a cherished friend may leave us angry and frustrated with God. Praying just doesn’t rise to the top of our “to do” list in those seasons. A couple of thoughts. Pray anyway. I don’t mean to be flip but pray anyway. Not some trite, recitation of formal church language, but shout out your frustration. The Psalms are full of both personal and corporate laments where the psalmist rails against God because of perceived injustice and a sense of abandonment by God. Hear Jesus from the cross crying out the opening words of Psalm 22: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

God has shoulders big enough and love deep enough to bear our pain in seasons of loss and isolation. Prayer, even in seasons of pain, needs to be the honest expression of the heart, not the pro forma recitation of meaningless words.

Note that when Jesus prayed, he often separated himself from the demands of the crowd and the company of his friends. Jesus wanted time alone with God to share his life and to listen to the voice of his heavenly parent. Communication requires active listening. Our prayers may consist of long grocery lists of things we want God to do for us, but it is important to give God some space to respond to us. Psalm 46:10 reminds us to “be still.” In seasons of discouragement, it may be helpful to get away from the distractions of work and friends to spend time alone with God. Our lives are filled with “sound and fury, signifying nothing.” We need to commit some time to quiet the fury that surrounds us and sit comfortably in the presence of God.

Spiritual Affective Disorder may push us to disassociate with corporate worship, Bible studies, and our Christian friends. When the activities that once brought us joy and peace no longer provide spiritual nourishment, perhaps it is best to step away for a season. I am not suggesting one abandon worship or give up on the church. Remember, we are talking about a season not a lifetime. Maybe our souls would be refreshed by a personal retreat to a quiet location, without the distractions of computers and cell phones. Being alone with God is a spiritually healthy practice. As the season passes, we choose to return to corporate worship, refreshed and renewed in mind and spirit.

Even during seasons of loss and disappointment there needs to be a place for thanksgiving. There is a moment to affirm the presence of God even when we feel bereft of that presence. The psalmist wrote, “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me” (Psalm 23:4). These words speak to our seasons of deepest hurt. Regardless of the circumstances we are not alone. This is cause for thanksgiving.

It is possible during the difficult season to be accompanied on the journey by a trusted friend. This is one who travels with us, without judgment, but simply loving presence. This friend can encourage, and challenge when needed. The friend who prays and stays close by. One whose presence through the difficult season points us gently, but clearly to the God who created us, the Savior who redeemed us, and the Spirit who guides us.

Give yourself grace during the difficult season. We know from nature that seasons are not permanent. Fall turns to winter, winter to spring, and spring to summer. The seasons of our spiritual lives change as well. We experience the joyous new life of spring as we come to faith. We are blessed with summer’s sunshine as we grow in our faith walk. Fall may bring challenges and winter push us to the brink of despair, but spring is surely coming, and God understands, God is patient, loving, and never abandons God’s beloved children.