Psalm 42:5

Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.

Summer is my favorite time of year, by far. It is those three precious months when I feel the most like myself. I live for time at the beach, in the sun, with my people. Fall is nice, and the holidays keep me busy. By the time the New Year rolls around, my seasonal depression is in full swing. My body aches for the sun. Sure, there are things that help. But so often I find myself back in bed, waiting for the sun to return.

In previous verses, the psalmist expresses feelings of isolation from the Lord and from others. He had something really special, and it’s gone now. However, in this season of depression, he chooses to remember God’s character. The psalmist knows that God remains the same, even when our circumstances change. As hard as the winter is, the sun never hides forever; neither does our Father always keep us in a state of sadness and waiting.

Thank you, Lord, for listening to us when we express our anguish. Help us to trust you when we cannot feel you close; remind of us of your goodness when we are hurting.

– Olivia Huffman