The New (Modern) 7 Deadly Sins.

The New (Modern) 7 Deadly Sins:

Uber Depression.

The holidays swim with elation. The season swills with wine and cheer. The palates engorge with delicacies. And the mind and soul plunge deeper and deeper into depression.

Uber Depression.

This is the hangover that holidays bring to millions upon millions of people.

I suppose the question has to be asked: “why?” Or better stated, “Why now?”

The answer of course is complicated. The purpose of our time here today is pretty simple: bring some realistic, real-life remedies to those deflated souls.

For those of you who find yourself bluer this season, consider:

·        Walk: get on a routine of walking. Set a regimen that nudges you to move. The inertia of sitting and stewing causes your feelings to take up residence. Move!

·        Speak: find a friend. Maybe a couple of friends. Head to coffee. Or, better yet, find a beach or riverfront or pond. Being outdoors and sensing the presence of moving water aids the process of ridding the ill-winds that depression blows into a life. Determine to let your friends in on your little secret, your tilting a bit these days

·        Embrace: human touch matters. (In days to come, I am going to address the vacuum of touch that seems to have become commonplace in our wayward culture). For today, determine that human embrace is a big part of your personal routine

·        Contemplate: spend some time sitting alone. Close your eyes. Remember the goodness of God. Let the gladness and supreme joy of heaven flood your psyche

·        Turn Your Eyes Toward Jesus: the Savior of the world is real and present and capable of carrying even the most extreme of burdens

I end this session with a prayer:

“Dear Father, lift burdens on this day. Excite your idled ones to movement again. Remind all of us that your care exceeds and swallows our shallow valleys.”

Cherish This Day!

Pastor Steve Bonenberger