Saturday’s weather was a humid 97 deg F. While I was refereeing a soccer match, I’d stop and mentally scan my physical condition at the end of a sprint. I was looking for any signs of heat problems or dehydration such as dizziness or mouth drying. Probably lost several pounds of water weight.
Monday was like the first day of fall. After a dry summer, leaves have begun falling early. The temperature was a cool 61 deg F. A 37 degree swing. An entirely different feeling as I walked through the woods along the old canal path.
Weather swings can cause or exacerbate mood swings. There are other causes of mood swings. If you get to swinging too far each way, alarm bells should sound as you mentally take stock of yourself.
I can’t help you if your swings border over into a diagnosable illness such as bipolar disorder. But most, if not all, of us suffer from feeling close to God then apart from God — consolation and desolation as the ancient Christian writers put it.
To combat these feelings, you need a rock. A solid foundation of faith and practice to remind you that, even if God does not feel present, He really is. That is where the solid habits of spiritual discipline help you. Just by getting up in the morning early and studying spiritual writing then meditating and praying on them can start your day solidly. You recognize that God is still there even if you don’t feel His presence–or sometimes even when you feel that you don’t even want His presence.
Other spiritual disciplines help, too. Try service. No, not necessarily a big mission trip. Try just saying something kind to someone. Helping someone with a package. Giving something to someone. Or try worship–getting together with other people to focus on God is a wonderful help.
It’s autumn in Ohio. We’re due for more swings in the weather until winter settles in. Establish a pattern of stability in your life to help keep you in equilibrium.
Faith Venture 
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