Down in the Dumps?

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16

Have you ever been “down in the dumps?” According to The Phrase Finder, “down in the dumps” doesn’t refer to being taken to the local landfill, but rather it is a medieval expression meaning to be sad, depressed or melancholy. Its origin is either from the Dutch word “domp,” or the German word “dumpf,” both which refer to gloom, depression, dullness, or mental haze.

I confess that sometimes I am “down in the dumps,” and it can be difficult for me to get out of that mood, but this past Sunday, I was given the answer! Pastor Doyle Jackson, the associate pastor at my church, preached a message about Barnabas, and how he was an encourager to Paul the apostle and John Mark, the author of the book of Mark in the Bible. At the end of his message, he challenged each of us to be a “Barnabas” to someone this week.

I decided to accept the challenge, so I sent an email to a missionary and a birthday text to a friend. It was then that I realized that being an encourager (even a simple one) goes two ways! While my notes hopefully encouraged the recipients, they made me feel good inside as well! It was kind of like sending someone a “warm fuzzy” and having it bounce right back to you!

Today’s verse seemed to go right along with being a Barnabas. First, encouraging someone is definitely a good deed in God’s eyes. The Bible says God is always watching us. In Job 34:21, it is recorded, “For his eyes are upon the ways of man, and he seeth all his goings.” Then 1 Thessalonians 5:11 tell us “Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.” Therefore, God sees us when we encourage others, and it blesses Him because we are doing exactly what He tells us to do in His Word.

So while I do this good deed of encouraging others, it in turn encourages me, allowing my light to shine for God because I am blessed by obeying the Lord. Additionally, when I do God’s work, it is glorifying to Him! Wow! A three-way blessing by one simple little act!

So you see, sending encouragement to someone is a great cure for being “down in the dumps”! It’s easy to do, doesn’t take a lot of time, and the results are amazing, both to the receiver and the giver! Why not try it today?

Out in the high-ways and by-ways of life,
Many are weary and sad;
Carry the sunshine where darkness is rife,
Making the sorrowing glad.
Make me a blessing, Make me a blessing —
Out of my life may Jesus shine;
Make me a blessing, O Savior, I pray,
Make me a blessing to someone today.

(from “Make Me a Blessing” by Ira B. Wilson)

“And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:32

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Feeling a bit down? Encourage someone, and you’ll be blessed beyond measure!