Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a type of depression associated with the darker winter months. In most cases, SAD symptoms start in the late fall or early winter and go away during the spring and summer. Symptoms include loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed, sleep problems, low energy, feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness, over-eating, and social withdrawal. It was common in the Scottish Highlands where I pastored for 13 years, mainly because of the extremely short daylight hours in the winter (about 5-6 hours of dark gray).
One of the most common treatments for SAD is daily light therapy, to make up for the diminished natural sunshine in the darker months. The person sits in front of a very bright light (20x brighter than indoor light) every day for about 30 to 45 minutes, usually first thing in the morning.
But there’s another SAD that’s even worse than this SAD. Spiritual affective disorder is a year-round (even life-long) depression that results from living in spiritual darkness. It too can result in low energy and mood as well as feelings of hopelessness and worthlessness. Is there a cure for this kind of SAD? Let’s hear John’s answer in John 1:4-9.
Sermon Notes on John 1:4-9.