Blue Monday

While the snow lingers, and everything still looks white, today is identified by some as 'Blue Monday', the most depressing day of the year!

Devised in 2005, the idea that the third Monday in January is the most depressing day of the year is based on a mathematical formula taking into account the weather, debts caused by overspending at Christmas, time since Christmas, and time since failing New Year's resolutions.

On top of all that, there may be personal and family reasons why people are feeling down today, ranging from health issues, family arguments, relationship break ups, and much else.

What response can we make to 'Blue Monday' talk?

I am always challenged by St. Paul's encouragement to his friends in Philippi. Writing in about 62 AD, from Rome, with possible execution awaiting him, Paul had plenty of external reasons to feel blue and gloomy.

However what he writes is startling. 'Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! ⁵ Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon.' (Philippians 4.4-5)

I note that Paul's joy does not derive from his circumstances - a nice time with friends, an exciting holiday trip, or his real or fantasy league team winning their recent matches. These are often the things which bring us a sense of joy - or some recent retail therapy - or a salary increase. But for Paul, his joy is rooted 'in the Lord.

Over the years, Paul had clearly disciplined himself to meditate on his relationship with Jesus. He could see and know that he was loved by Him, and his own life was transformed by being part of God's great plan. As nothing could touch that, he learned to be deeply and wonderfully joyful. 

Writing to his Roman friends some years earlier, he gave them good reason to be deeply joyful. 'And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. ³⁹ No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.' (Romans 8.38-39)

I guess we could all learn from Paul, and rest ourselves in God's love and mercy for us.

That will drive away the blues, not only today, 'Blue Monday', but for ever!

Best wishes,

Richard