Sudden Sadness

It is actually not that sudden. And God be praised, I have the remedy.

Yesterday was a good day, and so I had to wonder, as I settled into bed and turned off the light, “Why am I suddenly sad?”

I took a quick stroll through my mind, revisiting every action, interaction, the things I saw, heard, and felt, the people I encountered, and the ones I pretended not to see. I considered everything, no matter how great or insignificant, that shaped my thoughts and words, that brought rest or restlessness; things that lifted me and the other things that brought me low. Like a detective, I played the day in reverse, searching for clues, turning every moment over and noticing a shift in my mood, a quickening of the heart, the negative self-talk, the focus on self. And with pinpoint precision, and the Spirit’s guiding light, I was able to uncover the moment everything shifted; in a word, when and where the enemy struck, causing me to step off steady ground and take my eyes off the cross.

Forgive me, Lord, and thank you for your endless mercy. Never permit me to leave your presence again.

Keeping in contact with God is easy in the wee hours of the day, when there are no people around, the Bible is open, the candle is lit, and the coffee is fresh. But once the day comes alive, and creatures wake up, phones are in hand, and conversations unfold, our ability to see God in it all—in every task and every friendly (or not-so-friendly) face we encounter —becomes a challenge.

The reason, you know, for feeling anything less than good on a seemingly good day; for not seeing God’s hands in the trial, or seeing others as anything less than made in His image, is that we have allowed our eyes to land on something other than Him, and taken our weak, and tempted hearts along for the ride. We have stationed ourselves at the feet of creatures, at this fleeting, material world, instead of the feet of Jesus. It’s no wonder we are sad.

The remedy, you ask?

We must cultivate a life of deep, interior prayer.

Are you in the practice of making a daily examination?

Do you know the obstacles that hinder you from staying focused on God?

Are you aware of His constant presence, or is your mind easily pulled elsewhere?