It is February, and in America this time of year brings snowstorms and, in parts of the country, a lot of cloudy days. You get a little lonely for the sun. At this time of year the elements begin to take a toll on us. Most of us are yearning for the spring and the time when we can dig in the soil and plant seeds and bulbs. But we have a few weeks to go till that happens.

At the same time we are hearing the national economy is going into a recession. In recent weeks the stock market has been moving wildly up and down, and other key financial indicators are trending down. It is clear the U.S. economy is erratic. Many say the U.S. economy is in a recession. Yesterday President Bush signed an economic stimulus package aimed at jump-starting the economy.

It has made me think that this time of year often brings about a "spiritual recession." The days are short and often dark. It is cold. We get sick and miss work. If we are not careful, we can fall prey to depression. This is common at this time of year, even among those of us who normally are positive and upbeat. Life is too short to get sidetracked in this area. Make every effort in your life to stay positive and in control.

Let me give you a key I have found helpful in dealing with this time of year. Make the time to pray and keep the contact with God open. Keep your prayers vigilant and active. Focus on others more than on yourself. And when you need to talk to God about yourself, be bold and direct. God already knows you hurt and have need—so go boldly to that throne of grace. Along with all the other physical things you can do, this one key is vital to maintaining a healthy emotional life.

Do not neglect fellowship and activities with family and friends. Hebrews 10:25 tells us not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together, "exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching." Sometimes there is no substitute for a good old-fashioned talk with another human of like mind in the faith. That is why a good cup of coffee after church and a conversation can help us close out the week in proper fashion and prepare for the week ahead.

The Bible reveals Satan to be an adversary (Revelation 12:10). He knows people are particularly vulnerable at this time of year. The holidays that come during these winter months focus the mind on the self—a sure recipe for failure. The resulting letdown creates a spiritual chill that rubs off on us. There is a spiritual struggle going on in this world. It is a battle we must engage in each day with a full awareness of the consequences.

We are living in the time when we can "see the Day approaching." If you have not read the lead article in the January-February Good News magazine, then I encourage you to do so. Melvin Rhodes does a very good job laying out where this generation is in the plan of God. When we grasp this truth and realize the time is short, then perhaps we can understand the spiritual pressure placed upon all of us. It is vital that we all do our part to remain alert and vigilant on the walls of faith.

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