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Winter - Written by Meg Cooke

Day 2 - Stay the Path  

If you’re still alive, God’s still working; so keep waiting. 

There is huge temptation in the winter season to escape.  When it rains, we run for cover.  When it’s frosty, we stay in the warm comfort of our own homes.  We wait with baited breath for the first hint of a new season, all the while dreaming of escaping. 

It would be disingenuous of us to pretend everything's okay in the winter season, as it’s a season often marked by pain, loss, and feelings of abandonment.   For some, the winter season lasts a moment, but others can’t actually remember the last time the warmth of sunlight was felt.

However, if our minds are constantly filled with thoughts of escaping, we are in danger of veering off the path God has laid out for us and perhaps even in danger of quitting altogether.  Winter seasons are not single occurrences, they repeat themselves, so it is important to learn to embrace them. 

The most important thing you can do in the winter season is STAY: never quit, never run, and never give up.  You might make some mistakes in your winter season, you may doubt, you may fear, but if you QUIT you will never see the glorious fruit on the other end. 

What then gives us staying power?

1. Focus
   
   Have you ever had something you really want and even feel you can’t live without?  Maybe it’s something materialistic like a house or an item of clothing.  Maybe it’s a spouse or maybe it’s even someone else’s life. 
   Our thoughts, therefore, have a lot more power than we often give them credit for.  If your focus is on escaping the winter season, you will want to quit.  If your focus is on the fruit on the other side of the winter season, you will want to stay. 
   Romans 12:2
   What a promise, renew your mind and you will be transformed and be able to know what God’s purpose is for your winter season.
2. Community
   
   Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
   Isolating ourselves can be tempting during the winter seasons as it often feels impossible to share with others. Moreover, a lack of friendship may even be the reason for your winter season. God is enough to sustain us but in His grace He gifts us community to encourage us through the season.
   If you are in a winter season, TELL SOMEONE.  If it is not a close friend, tell a trusted person in your church. Encouragement, accountability and a good laugh will give you staying power. 
3. Gratitude
   
   If you lose everything valuable to you in this world, you will still have Jesus.  This means there is always something to be grateful for.  The secret of Paul’s staying power as stated in Philippians 4:10-13 was gratitude, whether in plenty or in want. 
   Philippians 4:10-13