This Too Shall Pass

   There is a consistency to life, each day much like yesterday. When you are leaving work for the night, you say without thinking, g'night everyone, I'll see you tomorrow. You expect to see them, and odds are you will. 

  So here you are today, plumb in the middle of yesterday and tomorrow. Yesterday has been much as this day so far. And tomorrow? It is expected to be much like the two days before it, routine. As much as we find boredom in routine, we come to depend on it. Routine brings consistency, and consistency ferments trust, and trust, peace. Consistency is order, and we depend on routine. Routine, although a bit boring, is helpful, in that, it helps keeps chaos at bey. 

  But then there are those days of trouble, those days that bring on somber reflection. The type of days when you just don't want to get out of bed. OK you might say, I'm with you so far, but what is the point? Good question. The point is that routine is good, it is relatively dependable, and dependability brings order, and from order, peace. But as all this is true enough, there are also personally catastrophic days, days when there is no peace to be found in anything. Catastrophe always brings turmoil, while you'd much rather have a boring and routine day, because in routine is order, clarity, and peace. 

  The larger point of course, is that though we may reluctantly love routine, we learn nothing from it. Though we yearn for pleasure and times of fun, we can learn nothing from them either. Life's lessons come in sad times, from times of trouble. Good times fade fast, but hard times leave scars. The purist gold comes from fire. Sadness is necessary at times, because it brings on most often, a time of honest reflection. Now especially, as suicide in young people is so prevalent, it is increasingly important for those suffering from depression that they are told there is a silver lining, there is a way out. Though you may feel sad and lonely, even if at times you find yourself wanting to roll up into the fetal position in a dark corner of your room, and like that unborn child, be totally vulnerable. First, now that you are alone with yourself, don't dwell on the sad feelings, but rather, figure out what the problem is, separate it, and look at it honestly for what it is. Only when you understand and have isolated the problems, can you then consider what it is specifically that you can do to change each one for the better. Understanding what makes you sad, is so much better then just dwelling on your feelings. What is needed is truth, and Jesus is Truth, speak directly to him, speak to him as you would a friend. If you will do these things, your hope will return in time, and already you can see light at the end of the tunnel. Remember, God Himself has said, This too shall pass.