It’s January, and many of us are in the midst of the cold season. I recall moving from Southern California to Oklahoma for school; I hadn’t really appreciated the benefits of California weather until then. When I went outside one day, the temperature was probably no more than three degrees, with a windchill of minus one million (just kidding). As I neared my car, there was a thick coating of ice on the windshield, and as I tried to get it off, I sliced my knuckle on a portion of the car and collapsed to my knees in agony. “Why am I here?” I remember exclaiming at the time. 

I believe that our life’s winters can be similar. Perhaps you’re unemployed, suffering from a persistent illness, or going through a divorce. Whatever it is, you often cry out to God, “Why is this happening?” or “Why am I in this season?” when you are facing a particularly difficult situation. While this is quite natural, I’d like to remind you today that, while winters do include some loss, they are an important part of life’s restful cycle. Nature sleeps behind a layer of snow to replenish itself, just as the human spirit requires a season of seclusion to strengthen itself. The winters of our lives, like the rings on a tree trunk, strengthen us; they galvanize us and give our soul armor.

Friend, don’t attempt to rush through your winter season. It is more fruitful and vital than you realize, despite the fact that it is not always enjoyable. Trust God to bring His warmth to your circumstances, as well as His healing and renewal to your heart, while you welcome the cold. He is with you at this time, and no matter how barren things appear, He is doing something new in your midst today. You may put your trust in Him because He will always see you safely through even the worst storms. Isn’t it wonderful news?