MALAISE is a general feeling of discomfort, illness, or uneasiness whose exact cause is difficult to identify. Some folks call it the blues. The french word ennui signifies boredom. Webster's dictionary states that malaise, (Old French) "formed from the combination of mal (“bad”) and aise (“comfort”), has been a part of English since the mid-18th century. It originally referred to a vague feeling of weakness or discomfort accompanying the onset of an illness—a meaning still in use today when a virus or other malady starts producing symptoms—but has since broadened to cover a general, ominous sense of mental or moral ill-being." For some, the start of the year promotes excitement and a renewal of passion and adventure. Others experience a case of the blahs...a numbness that is hard to identify because nothing is really wrong. In fact, malaise can set in even when things are generally ok.
A friend was sharing these symptoms. I used the word MALAISE to describe them. She replied, "There's a word for it?" Yeah, there's a word for almost everything, Lol!. Recently, a young millennial told me that since the pandemic, they'd lost enthusiasm, and didn't really want to venture out of the house. Maybe you've experienced a case of melancholy, listlessness, or the doldrums. I assure you, you're not alone. Negative news cycles, antics on social media, politics, even the change of season from Fall to Winter can cause us to be disquieted (worried or anxious), or despondent (in low spirits from loss of hope or courage). It's easy to understand when a trial or tribulation is upon us...it's much harder when we can't exactly pinpoint why we are desensitized or deadened in spirit with malaise.
The Psalmist Korah in Psalm 42 wrote about his deep longing for the presence of the LORD, he writes, "1As the deer pants for the water brooks, So pants my soul for You, O God. 2My soul thirsts for God, for the living God." Korah is in the midst of a time where there are so many tears that the grief is talking. "Where is your God?" it asks. Some of us have experienced periods where we feel like the living dead, but we still trust and hope in God for better days. In verse 4 Korah recalls, I used to go with the multitude; I went with them to the house of God, With the voice of joy and praise... He remembers a time when God's presence filled all his empty spaces. He enjoyed the community of the saints...and longs to return. Korah encourages himself with this query and answer, "11Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; For I shall yet praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God." | 
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