January 21, 2013 By: Rachelle Hitt Bilbo Not a Blue Monday After All Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!  Did you know that today has been nationally established as the most depressing day of the year? In 2005, a doctor identified the Monday of the last full week of January as the most depressing day of the calendar year and labeled it "Blue Monday."
His reasons for that particular day involved many factors including: gloomy, unpredictable and cold weather conditions; post Christmas debt; time elapsed since Christmas; abandoned New Year's resolutions; and a general low motivation level. So, should we all call in sick for work or hide from the kids for those who have the day off, crawl back in our warm beds and dream about the Red Velvet Cake from Christmas and winning large sums of money to pay off accumulated debt each year on "Blue Monday"? Absolutely...NOT! We'd just have more to face on Tuesday. The rest of the world may be celebrating "Blue Monday" with their heads pointed down, but we are reminded in today's verse to "Rejoice in the Lord ALWAYS!" Even in your darkest hour, God is right beside you. The Bible says in Nehemiah 8:10 that the "joy of the Lord is your strength." No matter what your physical, emotional or financial situation is, you can find strength and answers in the Lord. Many of us can relate to dieting. I know that the day I start a diet I feel empowered and hopeful. I haven't reached my goal yet, but I have strength in knowing that there is a plan to get there. Rather than being overcome by the pressures of the so-called "Blue Monday," I challenge you to make a plan. Join a Christmas club at your local financial institution and save money for next Christmas, kick start your diet again if you've slipped up, invite family and friends over for dinner instead of waiting for Thanksgiving, and, most importantly, set some goals for drawing closer to God. The Bible teaches us that His ways are higher than our ways. The more you get to know God, the stronger and more resilient you will become. When you truly know Him and trust that He is a faithful God who will never fail us, you are able to worry less and have more joy. Dear Lord, I thank You that You are my source of strength. Even when the trials of life try to pull me down, You bring me joy and remind me of Your great plans. I thank You Jesus for dying for me. I believe that You are Lord and that God raised You from the grave so that I can have eternal life. In the Name of Jesus I pray, Amen | 
