The devil tempteth others maliciously to spiritual sins, as to doubt of the articles of faith, or of the Sacrament of our Lord’s blessed Body. Also to despair, or blaspheme of God or any of His saints, or to a wearisomeness of their own life, or to bitterness against others, or foolish melancholy and sadness, or too much fear of themselves, of doing hurt to their healths by giving themselves so much to serving of God. Some others, and namely solitary folks, he frighteth with dreads and ugly shapes appearing to their eyes or to their imaginations, causing often thereby great shakings and quakings in their bodies, either sleeping or waking, and so troubleth them that they can hardly take any rest. And also many other ways he tempteth, more than I can or may say. (John Climacus)

I am tempted to melancholy and sadness. I am afflicted by worry and, perhaps, overactive response to worry. And also many other ways of temptation, more than I can or may say.

But my melancholy can also be a gift. Over the years it has encouraged empathy toward others and personal discipline.

Each of us carry burdens. Knowing my own allows me to more easily recognize those of others. It does no good whatsoever to underestimate the power of such burdens.

Melancholy has given boundaries and discipline to my life. To manage it I am more mindful of what I eat and drink, how I exercise, and how much I sleep.

In bringing burdens to God they can be lightened and transformed, even becoming sources of strength and cause for thanksgiving.