Weekly Blog - 19 January 2025 - January Blues
As many struggle with January blues, this week we have another guest blog from Neil Fix, a member of Arise's Council of Reference, who considers how hope in God helps us to face all things in the year ahead.
January blues
Do you remember the New Year? What were you doing? And which countdown did you follow? I was with a few friends who I don't see often, including a couple who aren't local, and came down for the occasion. There were a good number of us, not too many, but enough to have decent conversations and games. And then came the New Year countdown - we watched the one from London on the BBC. The countdown, the singing of Auld Lang Syne, and a lot of fireworks. I don't know what it would have been like to be there, but I think the position of the cameras meant us watching it at home probably got a much better view. I remember clearly several words, including the word 'hope' repeatedly.
So we admired the fireworks, wished everyone a Happy New Year (with a fair few hugs), and we all left, over the next hour or so. With cakes and gingerbread, because there was a lot left over. A good time was had by all, I think. Certainly, there was a good bit of laughter throughout the course of the night. And that was how my New Year started - I couldn't have designed a better one myself. I expect a lot of you reading had a similar experience.
And where have we got to now, I wonder. This Monday 20 January is sometimes referred to as Blue Monday, because it's been worked out 'scientifically' that today is the most depressing day of the year. This is based on factors like the weather in January, the fact that we've just had lots of celebrations, the fact that we have to pay for all these celebrations (but haven't quite got to the next payday), and things like our attitude to looking forward. At New Year, people often use it as a springboard to change things in their lives. We have things like Dry January and Veganuary; but by this point, reality has set in - that to change things means effort, and sometimes we just don't want to.
So, how is it for you? Did you start off on a high note, and then drop? Are you still going strong? Or steadily, which is probably better? Or, like a friend of mine, is your year not looking good from the start? if your life looks like that, don't play it down, or let anyone else do so. If there are real issues in your life, then it's not just a matter of attitude. Not in any way.
Hope
So what does God have to say to this? To remember the word 'hope' in fireworks! But what does God have to say that will make it more than just a word? The first thing, and definitely important here, is that when the Bible talks about hope, as with love, it never means a feeling. Hope is real, and can make a difference, regardless of how someone feels about it. Another thing that may be worth noting here, is that hope doesn't mean that all our problems will just melt away, that if we have problems, that means we're somehow wrong, that God isn't with us. Not at all, it makes it clear that we will have problems in this world, as John’s gospel says “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the worlds” (John 16:33). There may even be problems that come through being faithful to God.
He offers something else, something more, because what He offers isn't dependent on what happens around us. He offers us Himself. I recently had conversations with a friend about hope, and about God, and at one point, he offered this suggestion, that he uses himself. When thinking about the future, about a particular situation coming up, insert the words 'and God' into the conversation. So when he (I, you) asks the question 'can I do this', the answer is I and God can do this. Whatever it may be, this can change our perspective. I've heard it said that confidence isn't knowing that you can do something, it's knowing that if something goes wrong, you will be able to cope. Putting this together with the 'and God' suggestion, and we have something with which to face any situation.
I've often heard people say that God doesn't give us more than we can handle, and I wondered about that for a long time. After much consideration, I definitely think that this isn't true. For one thing, I don't think that everything that happens comes from God; we live in a broken world, among broken people, and each of us is also broken. Sometimes things happen that God never wanted, but more than that, I think that God wants us to bring Him into every situation. If that is going to happen, if we are going to grow, then we should expect that at least some of what we come up against is beyond us. But it's not beyond Him.
So I think that's what I want to leave you with. Hope doesn't mean that your problems will go away, will melt into thin air; rather, hope means that God will be there with you in them. And in the good things too. Whatever comes your way, and mine, we can deal with them, with God. So, on this (very probably) cold January day, whether you're waiting for payday, wondering if you should continue with your resolutions, or something bigger; think about this, whatever it is, you and God can deal with it.
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