Acedia -- Feeling Down?
I have always loved words that are rich with meaning. Recently I was having lunch with a long-time friend who used the word “acedia” in describing his current sense of being in a dry spot in his life.
Acedia comes from an old Greek word describing a state of listlessness, of not caring or not being connected to anything in a meaningful way. The person may experience sleeplessness, headaches, generalized pain, boredom and an overall diminishing of strength and resilience. It typically implies a kind of weariness of the soul and can quickly lead to an unhealthy inactivity or slothfulness if not addressed.
The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church defines acedia as "a state of restlessness and inability either to work or to pray". Unfortunately, in our culture, we know the wisdom of washing our hands before eating even if we can’t see the germs we are washing away. But we don’t share the same conviction about spiritual hygiene, often doing little to cleanse and refresh our spirits, and then feel trapped when acedia appears.
If you find yourself experiencing acedia you need to take action. Doing nothing will likely lead to a deeper sense of worthlessness, spiritual dryness or even depression. Break the cycle by reviewing your personal mission statement and deciding how you can make deposits of success in each of these areas this week: physically, spiritually, socially, personal development, in family, career and finances.
Acedia comes from an old Greek word describing a state of listlessness, of not caring or not being connected to anything in a meaningful way. The person may experience sleeplessness, headaches, generalized pain, boredom and an overall diminishing of strength and resilience. It typically implies a kind of weariness of the soul and can quickly lead to an unhealthy inactivity or slothfulness if not addressed.
The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church defines acedia as "a state of restlessness and inability either to work or to pray". Unfortunately, in our culture, we know the wisdom of washing our hands before eating even if we can’t see the germs we are washing away. But we don’t share the same conviction about spiritual hygiene, often doing little to cleanse and refresh our spirits, and then feel trapped when acedia appears.
If you find yourself experiencing acedia you need to take action. Doing nothing will likely lead to a deeper sense of worthlessness, spiritual dryness or even depression. Break the cycle by reviewing your personal mission statement and deciding how you can make deposits of success in each of these areas this week: physically, spiritually, socially, personal development, in family, career and finances.
Comment
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Comment by Yvonne Hyde on April 27, 2009 at 6:43am -
Thanks for the lesson. That word is familiar. Well, not the word, but the meaning. So, action is it. Thank you...............
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Comment by Laura Toews on April 26, 2009 at 6:29pm -
Thank you, Dan.
Even though we haven't been experiencing this specifically, we have been experiencing a sense of paralysis. I recognize that this is par for the course when someone has been laid off due to the economy, but it is also a strategy of our enemy. It is an opportunity to recognize God’s hand in our lives.
Today we had a very exciting message on gratitude. Gratitude is the antidote to what you have addressed and what we have been experiencing since my husband was laid off. We can't be grateful - not truly grateful - until we recognize God's amazing Grace! Gratitude starts with God's grace to us. His incredible Gift: giving us what we haven't earned - what we can never earn - to live a life we don't deserve. Against the darkness of my soul, God's grace shines brilliantly! Gratitude has to be our response. Like attitude, gratitude is what we choose to see. It is an antidote to complaining, and it is about living in the moment - seeing God's little and big gifts to us (a sunset, a special moment with a spouse, child, friend, stranger, a sighting of one of His creations - even the watch we wear reminds us of the seconds, minutes, hours and days He has given us!). What a special reminder.
Laura
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