Latin Root: Acedia– inability to care, dejection, depression
Gilligan’s Island character: Gilligan
Traditional Corresponding Virtue: Diligence/Persistence

Strange as this may be, of the seven deadlies, I find sloth the most relatable and sympathetic (and not just because of the adorable, slow-moving mammal associated with it). Over the centuries, sloth has become synonymous with “laziness,” but its original intent was far different. A more appropriate term might be despair or depression or burnout. Sloth isn’t simply a lack of caring; it’s an inability to care— an emotional numbing and loss of hope. With this loss of hope comes disconnection and isolation and possibly further burnout, creating a downward spiral of despair. Despair is an exceptionally difficult emotion to escape, and while it can lead to the inactivity we associate with modern-day sloth, it may also lend itself to overwork, compassion fatigue, and many forms of self-abuse. All of this makes sloth one of the more literally deadly of the seven.

I know the traditional corresponding virtue is persistence, but in this case, “persistence” may take many forms. It doesn’t have to be raw determination; it could mean seeking out medical assistance and support systems to help you persevere through the darkness. It could mean working with a counselor to hone self-awareness and develop a self-care regimen. And even with these interventions and disciplines, persistence may still prove fleeting on some days.

Isaiah 40:31 speaks to the difficulty of persistence when it says,
Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary;
they will walk and not be faint.

I’ve always found this ordering interesting. Rather than building up to flight, the author chooses to begin with flying, then move to running without getting tired, and lastly, walking without growing faint. I take this anticlimactic ordering as an indicator of the real difficulty of these actions. Sure, hearts may soar at times, and we may sometimes run with excitement, but on other days, simply getting up and walking forward may be a challenge. Isaiah 40 doesn’t credit this ability to some internal drive; rather, the source of strength is hope— hope in the Lord, hope in changing circumstance, hope for another day.

Maybe this is the real antidote for despair: hope.
Hope may be elusive and difficult to cultivate,
and some days it may escape us entirely.
But when we find it and cling to it,
it can shake us out of despair.
Question for Reflection:
What makes you feel energized/motivated?

Please note that if you’ve been feeling emotionally numb or tired for an extended period of time, it may be more than “sloth”; it might be burnout or depression. Please reach out to someone you trust— ideally to a doctor or licensed counselor, but friends and family may be able to help as well. Despair can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to face it alone.