The Doldrums

A while ago, when my son Michael was reading the Phantom Tollbooth (he loves that book) he was telling me about a part in the book when Milo ended up in a place called the doldrums because he was daydreaming. He wasn't paying attention, and had made a wrong turn at a fork in the road. With the help of a "watchdog" (a dog with a watch on his sides), he thought and thought until he eventually made it out and back onto the road again.

I have often wondered where in the world the word came from. I found a website called "The Phrase Finder" (www.phrases.org.uk/index.html) which gave me a thorough explanation...

Meaning:

In low spirits; feeling dull and drowsy.

Origin:

The Doldrums is the region of calm winds, centered slightly north of the equator and between the two belts of trade winds, which meet there and neutralize each other. It is widely assumed that the phrase 'in the doldrums' is derived from the name of this region. Actually, it's the other way about. In the 19th century, 'doldrum' was a word meaning 'dullard; a dull or sluggish fellow' and this probably derived from 'dol', meaning 'dull' with its form taken from 'tantrum'. That is, as a tantrum was a fit of petulance and passion, a doldrum was a fit of sloth and dullness, or one who indulged in such.

Websters definition:

1: a spell of listlessness or despondency
2often capitalized : a part of the ocean near the equator abounding in calms, squalls, and light shifting winds
3: a state or period of inactivity, stagnation, or slump

As I sat down to write tonight I was trying to think of what I had been feeling like the last few days. "The doldrums" immediately came to mind. Funny thing was, as I looked up what that actually meant, I kept trying to "rewrite" the definition.

For example - some of the ways I thought things would be going right now aren't going at all.

I read the Webster definition, I thought "Perfect descriptor - definition 2 fits perfectly. We are in a period of calm mixed with squalls, and some definitely shifting winds. That is why I feel the way I do. If we were full speed ahead, I wouldn't feel so..... listless. I mean I am certainly not despondent. It's the darned wind. Or lack thereof."

I didn't care so much for the actual origin. A dullard? Me? Someone who indulges in dullness and sloth? I have to rethink this header......

And yet..... here I am - convicted that, well, yes. I fought and threw my tantrums already in this season. Had my fits of passion and petulance. I'm tired. I am listless, inactive, and stagnant. Low, dull, and drowsy. And sinning left and right. Somehow I wasn't paying attention and made a wrong turn at a fork in the road. Thankfully, I don't have to think and think my way out of it.
James summarizes where I am very well!

James 1:2- 18:

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith,with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man,unstable in all his ways.

Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation, and the rich in his humiliation, because like a flower of the grass he will pass away. For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits.

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am being tempted by God," for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.

Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. +

Instead of asking in faith, I started to doubt. I have been driven and tossed by the wind. I became enticed by my own desires, and that is what has birthed the sin - not the wind. I am dull and listless instead of counting any of this "pure joy". So what do I do now?

If I am lacking wisdom, I am to ask God. He will give generously. Not only that - but without reproach . I am not in a position of condemnation. There is no reproach! If I ask in faith, the doubts disappear - and so do the doldrums!