#Defunkifying — What’s Your Strategy?

As rarely happens to me, I have been in a dark mood for the past few days.

I don’t have a good excuse. And try as I might to simply “snap out of it”, my funk has lingered beyond its welcome. I’ve tried all of the usual strategies in my arsenal: prayer, more prayer, the Eucharist, prayer before the Eucharist, exercise, sleep, not sleeping, not exercising, talking about it, not talking about it, and yes — even ice cream.

And no, I’m not equating the power of ice cream to the beauty of receiving the Eucharist. So please don’t pile on in the combox.

I share this personal glance into an ugly part of my soul because I know that I’m not alone. I have had the blessing of being in regular prayer with and for some friends who truly struggle with clinical depression. I wouldn’t equate a few passing days of “funk” to the cross these friends bear. But feeling down reminds me of the weight of the pain carried by so many. It reminds me to redouble my efforts both to pray and to be simply a loving companion to those who feel this way not for a few passing days but for years and years.

In today’s gospel from Luke 4 we have the story of Jesus preaching in Capernaum and of the unclean demon who was able to recognize the anointing of Christ and the spirit of God within him. Pope Francis, in his homily on this passage, shared in part:

“The authority of Jesus – and the authority of the Christian – comes from this ability to understand the things of the Spirit, to speak the language of the Spirit. It is from this anointing of the Holy Spirit. Often, so often, we find among our faithful, simple old women who perhaps didn’t even finish elementary school, but who can speak to us of things better than any theologian, because they have the Spirit of Christ. Exactly like St. Paul. We all need to ask for this. Lord grant us Christian identity, which You had. Grant us Your Spirit. Grant us Your way of thinking, feeling, speaking: May the Lord grant us the anointing of the Holy Spirit. “

Is the “funk” in my soul that needs “defunkifying” born of an unclean demon?

I don’t know. 

Do I need and desire the anointing of the Holy Spirt.

100% yes.

Christ, today please grant me your way of thinking, feeling and speaking. I don’t have time for dark feelings or bad moods. My sufferings are a small pittance compared to a world so full of pain and war and need.

May my loneliness be transformed into care for those who are truly alone in this world…

May my spiritual hunger move me to feed those who will go to bed with nothing to eat…

May the sickness of my soul inspire me to care for those whose bodies are plagued by suffering…

May the unrest in my heart be offered up for lasting peace in our world…

May the Lord grant us the anointing of the Holy Spirit.

Your turn: Do you ever feel burdened by depression or simply a “bad mood”? What helps you to move beyond your personal darkness?