Winning the New YearSample

Winter or Spring

Different things happen in different seasons, both naturally and spiritually. Most of us are experiencing winter right now in the natural. It’s cold and barren. Nothing blooms. Animals hibernate. We spend most of the time inside and sometimes don’t see the sun for long periods of time.

Life can be like that—and maybe yours is like that today. During the winter season, we sometimes face overwhelming emotions and challenges. Troubles such as job loss, relationship breakdowns, the blahs, or health issues can cause feelings of despair and isolation.

One thing I want you to know is that these challenging times can also become powerful catalysts for growth and resilience. They can strengthen your faith when you press into God and overcome. Then the next time you face trouble, you can point back and say, “He rescued me once, He’ll do it again!”

And remember – this barren, troubling time is temporary. The Bible reminds us, So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever (2 Corinthians 4:18 NLT). As you keep your gaze fixed on God during tough times, reminding yourself of His love, power, and victory in your life, these times will “soon be gone.”

Ultimately, while a trying winter season may feel dark, it can provide invaluable lessons that shape your character and pave the way for renewed hope and purpose. So if you’re in a winter season right now, don’t quit or get discouraged. Spring is coming, just as surely as it comes in the natural every year!

Spring is a time of freshness and new life. Flowers bloom, the sun shines – things look hopeful. That can happen in life, too. As you shed the heaviness of winter and enjoy the sweet season of spring, be sure to plant (your time, your money, your love, etc.) because the harvest is coming at some point, and the more you plant, the more you’ll reap! (2 Corinthians 9:6)

Expect and enjoy the spring seasons of your life – press into growth and transformation. After every challenging season, God has brighter days and new possibilities in store!