Winter

by

Barbara McKinney

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world (John 16:33).”

And Jesus said these words just hours before His own great tribulation.

Is it settled in your heart? No matter what awful thing is about to happen to you, or worse yet, goes on happening to you, has Jesus overcome the assaults on your peace of mind? Do you have a dreadful marriage until death do you part? Where is Jesus’ overcoming power in this? Are you so debt ridden that you expect to be in bondage the rest of your life? Are you mourning for children who are killing your joy? Where is Jesus’ overcoming power when your misery is so complete that your whole life seems like winter?

Notice the daffodil, the crocus, the hyacinth. They are the bold ones who push themselves up through cold dead ground. They are the brave ones who bring beauty and fragrance to a bleak, frozen world. Is your life so barren and cold that there is no joy? Imitate the winter flowers that display the glory of spring out of season. Don’t paint your whole existence dark when there are yet things to be grateful for, even in winter.

Spring will come. Hope for spring, trust in God, but bloom now. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me (Phil 4:13). Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Phil 4:4-7).

If God delivers you soon from your winter, praise His name. If you bloom in cold hard ground until you go to be with Him, praise His name. The glory of the blossom in the midst of winter gives hope to all who suffer. Bloom. The salvation of some who watch you is at stake.

Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, "Who are these, clothed in white robes, and from where have they come?" I said to him, "Sir, you know." And he said to me, "These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

Therefore they are before the throne of God,
and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence.
They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore;
the sun shall not strike them, nor any scorching heat.
For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd,
and he will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes (Rev 7:14b-17).

You will see spring. But, for now, bring spring to your winter so that others may see you and glorify your heavenly Father. Jesus will say to you, “Well done, good and faithful servant (Matthew 25:23b).” You can become gray like your circumstances or you can bloom like the glorious daffodil in dead cold ground, knowing that spring is coming soon. The Lord truly has overcome the world.

Your faith displays His victory. Do we believe that No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it (1 Corinthians 10:13).? Are we tempted to give up hope when the season of our sufferings continues beyond what we had expected? Because He Himself suffered when He was tempted, He is able to help those who are being tempted (Hebrews 2:18). For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith (1 John 5:4).

Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance, character, and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us

(Romans 5:4-5).

Do we believe He loves us and will reward our suffering? Until that question is answered with a thrilling “Yes!” all of life is winter. Let us bring beauty to the cold dark places in our world through the love, wisdom and power of the Holy Spirit. Let us wash our robes white in the blood of the Lamb.

Dear Lord, please make us able. Praise God! He can.