Do birds get depressed?

I opened the sliding glass door and stepped on the back deck this morning to a wonderland. Another beautiful South Carolina spring day where I gaze amongst the massive canopy of trees that lay before me with a stream that feeds into the lake at my right. Beautiful!

What was most striking this morning were the birds and their loud orchestrated singing. I even recorded a few minutes to send to my Dad who is stuck inside an eldercare facility. He loved it as it’s sounds he no longer gets to hear. I often think my backyard is a migrating highway for birds as it’s amazing to see and hear so many different species as they pass by. Many decide to stay. 

As I looked and listened today, I wondered. Do birds get depressed? Do they? Do they ever fly around wondering where to go or eat or sleep? Do they have anxiety? Do they get down about life?

Matthew 6:26 “Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?” 

This is a difficult time for many. Many who read this are out of work, out of money, out of patience. An unprecedented time that makes us search for answers in a vastly different world.

But the answer is easy if we lean on this simple and powerful verse. Just ask a bird. And if you don’t believe them, ask an owl.