From a Sigh to a Song!

It has been called "the most wonderful time of the year." But that is not true for everyone. For some people the Christmas holiday season is the loneliest time of the year - even the most miserable time of the year. In fact, people [at least, Americans] struggle more with depression and are more likely to commit suicide during the month of December than any other month of the year.  One writer, the editor of a website called "ManageYourLifeNow.Com" suggests the following causes of stress and depression during the Christmas holiday season:

1. The absence of a beloved person
2. Family misunderstandings
3. Economic difficulties
4. Physical weariness
5. Loneliness
6. Seasonal emotional disturbance [the SAD - Seasonal Affective Disorder - Syndrome]

The truth is . . . life IS difficult. In spite of all of the invites in Christmas carols to "sing," many people do a whole lot more sighing than singing during this time of the year.

Yes, life is difficult - but, I truly believe that God is adequate. Today there are a lot of "counselors" trying to convince people to look "inward" - to attain a higher level of self-understanding. With all due respect, I am convinced that what people need to do is to look "upward" - to attain a deeper level of God undertanding.

In my sermon yesterday [12/16/2012], which was based on an exposition of Psalm 13, I tried to explain to my precious congregation how David, the shepherd, singer and song-writer of Israel, was able to make the transition "From a Sigh to a Song." You can hear it at http://sermon.net/PastorJoeLombardi.

Oh, one more thing . . . Anyone who has believed in Jesus for everlasting life has the following to look forward to: "And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying; and there shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away" [Revelation 21:4]. You see, one day there will be no more dying, crying, or even sighing [except, perhaps, one huge, collective "sigh of relief!"]. And there will be a lot of singing! But, wait! It gets even better! In the words of John Newton, the former slave-trader who believed in Jesus, and subsequently wrote about his conversion and growth in Christ in an amazing song called "Amazing Grace:"

When we've been there ten thousand years,

Bright shining as the sun,

We've no less days to sing His praise,

Then when we've first begun!

Wow! I would say that calls for some shouting: "Hallelujah!"