Battling Sadness

Thanks to COVID-19, I worked at home for two-and-a-half months, and today was my first day back. Concerning working from home, I went from dreading it, to acclimating to it, to LOVING it, honestly. A great sadness began to settle over me yesterday afternoon, because I knew I was coming back today.

I just held my wife closely, and kissed her, telling her how much I was gonna miss her. We’re that rare couple who could work together 24/7 without a problem, and in fact, HAVE, since March 23.  For years, our life was, “Get up early, Laura drops me off at work, drives to her job and then picks me up nine hours or so later.” The past several weeks, though, we’ve seen each other all day, every day.

She’d make breakfast for me, and then later I’d step away from my computer for an hour so we could have lunch. Every day I’d either wear athletic pants or cargo shorts, and the biggest decision of the day, outside of work stuff, was figuring out which heavy metal band shirt to wear.

Now it’s back to “business casual.”  Ah well, had to happen sometime.

To make matters worse, this morning was terrible. When I got to work, my computer wouldn’t turn on, the new monitor our IT Dep’t left on my desk wasn’t working and I had lost the instructions on how to cancel the “call forwarding” on my work phone. I finally got it all worked out, but GOOD GRIEF, what a way to begin my first day back!

Unlike many blogs I write, I had no beginning purpose when I started writing this. My sadness seemed so overwhelming, and I simply needed to write. “Write it out,” I like to say, instead of “scream it out,” or whatever.

This is a weird, sad time for many, I think. I’m terribly sad over the George Floyd murder. I’m also heartbroken about the murder of 53-year-old Federal Protective Service officer Patrick Underwood, who was shot and killed at the Federal Building in Oakland, CA this past Friday night during a George Floyd protest.

To compound the sadness, I was scrolling through Facebook and found the tragic story of a 22-year-old young lady, the daughter of a woman who attends the church of a Pastor friend of mine, who committed suicide a few days ago. She leaves behind many grieving family and friends, as well as two beautiful children.

Sad, man. Just sad, sad, sad.

I wish I had some revelation to share which would make these clouds disappear, my friend. Some advice that would trigger a detonation of joy in your spirit. But I don’t.

Besides my prayers, one thing I DO have, however, is the following list of quotes and Bible verses about sadness. Please don’t give up, better times are comin’, I promise:

Bible Verses:
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” Matthew 5:4

“Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; He will neither fail you nor abandon you.” Deuteronomy 31:8

“Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.” I Peter 5:7

“The Lord is close to all whose hearts are crushed by pain, and He is always ready to restore the repentant one.” Psalm 34:18

“Anxious fear brings depression, but a life-giving word of encouragement can do wonders to restore joy to the heart.” Proverbs 12:25

Quotes:
“Sadness flies away on the wings of time.” –  Jean de La Fontaine

“There are moments when I wish I could roll back the clock and take all the sadness away, but I have the feeling that if I did, the joy would be gone as well.” –  Nicholas Sparks

“Experiencing sadness and anger can make you feel more creative, and by being creative you can get beyond your pain or negativity.” –  Yoko Ono

“Some days are just bad days, that’s all. You have to experience sadness to know happiness, and I remind myself that not every day is going to be a good day, that’s just the way it is!.” –  Dita Von Teese

“You cannot protect yourself from sadness without protecting yourself from happiness.” –  Jonathan Safran Foer

I share all this so you’ll understand sadness is normal. Please don’t be swallowed by it! As they say, “This, too, shall pass.” Just be strong and don’t give up. I was feeling it HEAVY yesterday and today, but worked through it.

I feel much better, thank the Lord.

(Willow, 1988)

If, like me, the spirit of sadness is overwhelming, please make a point of doing something which makes you happy today. Reach out to a friend, watch your favorite movie, get alone and listen to your favorite band, SOMETHING. Just don’t sit there and stew in your misery…BREAK OUT!

My day started out terrible, not only in sadness, but abysmal distress! Thankfully, things are starting to level out now, and I feel good.

Please know that I’m praying for you today, not only for happiness (which somehow manages to elude us at times) but for the sadness to dissipate, like rain clouds dissolve after the storm passes.

Many blessings. Keep your head up, and smile!