The Cloud of Sadness

He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. Mark 4:39

The following quote appeared in The New York Times recently:

The United States surgeon general on Tuesday warned that young people are facing ‘devastating’ mental health effects as a result of the challenges experienced by their generation, including the coronavirus pandemic…

The report cited significant increases in self-reports of depression and anxiety along with more emergency room visits for mental health issues. In the United States, emergency room visits for suicide attempts rose 51 percent for adolescent girls in early 2021 as compared to the same period in 2019. The figure rose 4 percent for boys.

Globally, symptoms of anxiety and depression doubled during the pandemic, the report noted. But mental health issues were already on the rise in the United States, with emergency room visits related to depression, anxiety and similar conditions up 28 percent between 2011 and 2015.” ^{Surgeon General Warns of Youth Mental Health Crisis, The New York Times, Matt Richtel, December 7, 2021}

There seems to be a dark cloud hanging over our world. The ongoing threat of virus along with all the implications which come with it have left people with a dim view of the future, and even the present. The attitude “Who cares?” seems to be the dominant outlook on life. Not a great way to live, is it? Like the old song, “Oh yeah, life goes on, long after the joy of living is gone.”

How does a person deal with such universal sadness? Go back to the basics of the simple Christian message. When we tear away all the rituals and traditions which have become associated with Christianity over the centuries, we find a shocking proposition which shatters the darkness of depression and thrusts us into the light of joyful living. It’s quite simple. You’ve probably heard it before. But do you believe it? Are you ready to let it take over your life?

There seems to be a dark cloud hanging over our world.

The proposition is this: Jesus Christ is God. He came into this world as a human being for one purpose, to rescue human beings from the sadness we find ourselves in and offer us a new way of living right now and even after we die. If it sounds like a fairy tale, too good to be true, check it out for yourself.

The biographers of Jesus don’t begin his story with “Once upon a time…”, but rather, “In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus…” The life of Jesus Christ is history. If you doubt it, check out the evidence for yourself. It really is worth your while. Think about it, if you don’t, there’s a pretty good chance you’ll spend the rest of your life under the dull, drab cloud of sadness in which we are currently engulfed. That doesn’t sound all that attractive.

Why don’t you give the light of Christ a chance? All of us can use a little more joy in life!

Prayer

Heavenly Father, you are my harbor of safety in the storms of life, my rock that I cling to for salvation, and my Redeemer who alone can save me from destruction. Take notice of my need, and reach out your hand to save me from my hurts and afflicts. Do not let my trouble overwhelm me. Strengthen and encourage me, save and deliver me, and cleanse me from sin.
Amen.