Ready Or Not, Here Winter Comes

Out of the four seasons that we go through, I absolutely, undeniably hate—loathe even—the winter season. It is cold and dark because the sun goes down sooner. On one hand it can be extremely ugly because the once beautiful green luxurious leaves that was all around, have fallen off and the remaining plants are brown and brittle. At the same time, it can be purely beautiful because the white snow that covers the surface of everything reminds us of purity in an impure world.

It can also be very silent. Throughout the summer, it is noisy with the play of children and the constant singing of birds of all kinds. During winter though, there is pure silence as the children can find it more pleasant to play indoors and the birds have gone on a vacation to a warmer climate. I spend the first two to three weeks of the cold reminiscing on the trips to the pool and the cook-outs we shared with friends and family. I must come to grips with the reality that no matter how I wish or pray for a delay or removal of winter, this season is going to come.

One day, in the middle of the winter, my husband and I were coming home from an event and something caught my eye. I stepped out of the car and looked closely. I zipped up my coat and walked closer to it. In the midst of all the white snow that was covering my yard, there was an unusually bright green color coming out of the ground. It was this beautiful flower that was weathering the frigid wind—emerging from the cold soil—this plant’s endurance did not match the season it was in. How did this little plant do it?

Winter, a Season of Punishment or Change?

There were moments when I thought I wouldn’t be able to weather the cold winds of life. I couldn’t take any more blows, so I imagined ending it all. At a very young age I was sexually abused by a family member; and physically, emotionally, and verbally abused by my father. When a child is violated sexually by someone that they trusted, it’s like sending a virus into a computer, everything starts going wrong.

My father’s abuse was so extreme that I thought he was certainly going to kill me. He didn’t know how to control me so all he could do was try to beat me into submission. My world was upside down. Sadly, my soul was calling out for love and guidance, but all that was received  was violence and rejection. The pain of being misunderstood, the cries for help that never got answered and the tears of bitterness that soaked my pillow went unnoticed and ignored. It was a season of loneliness, fear, anger and frustration. I thought that seemingly lifeless, hopeless season was going to break me, but with God’s help, I refused to allow this season to destroy me.

I became like this plant in the snow. The Through the Winters Ministry is all about helping the hurting, confused, broken, and others break through the painfully cold moments in their lives. We are here as a resource to help those who are in that season, to realize that there is hope. This is not just for those who have gone through abuse or loss or even a “moment” of hurt and despair — maybe it’s just “life.”

Winter is a part of life and it’s not always fair, warm, understanding, forgiving, or reasonable. Winter is not a curse or a punishment. You may feel like no one understands. I need you to know that you are not alone. You don’t have to allow the cold to consume you. We don’t have to let the season define the outcome of our lives. We don’t have to give into the fear that arises because we feel alone. We don’t have to let the light go out just because it’s a dark season. We cannot give up because—one thing we know for certain—seasons aren’t forever.

We must also face the reality that winter is not a one-time event for us (unless we live on a tropical island). But really, no matter where you are in location or in life you will experience multiple rough traitorous seasons. There are some things we can all do during these times. Psalm 32:6-8 (NIV) says,

Therefore let all the faithful pray to you
while you may be found;
surely the rising of the mighty waters
will not reach them.
7 You are my hiding place;
you will protect me from trouble
and surround me with songs of deliverance.
8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.

Some ways to insulate ourselves…

1. Let God be your hiding place– The seasons of life will change, but our God will never change.  He will be the cleft in the rock so that we can find refuge, an immovable and stable rock.  We can rely on him to shield us from the storms.
2. Be confident of God’s protection while he surrounds us– Know that God protects when we run to him. Many of us have gone through things and think that God didn’t protect us, but in the scope of our circumstances we have no idea what was truly awaiting us.  God has and will protect us in this torrential time.
3. Tear up your master plan for life-God’s protection works best when we surrender our idea of what is best for us. It is like going into the cockpit of an airplane and demanding to fly the plane when you hit turbulence.  Would you rely on your skill-less frantic emotions to navigate in hard times? Or would you buckle your seat belt and trust the pilot.

So during this time learn to seek God, pray to him and allow him to be your protection. Let him instruct you and teach you right now. This ministry is here to bring the comfort and support to those who want to get through these moments of pain by sharing the word and personal testimony. Yes, the word is amazing, but sometimes the testimonial of others that overcame some of the worst times in their lives with the help of God’s power, adds to hope. This flower is an example that growth can happen even when life hands us a death sentence. It can show us that we don’t have to allow the cold to dictate our life span. We have to make a decision that we will grow, we will stand firm, we will endure. We will survive and thrive Through the Winters.

Weekly Challenge:

Are you in a season in your life where it seems cold, lifeless, painful, lonely, dark or hopeless? Have you or are you going through a season where it seems silent? Is it a time when no one seems to be speaking to your pain (maybe God doesn’t even seem to be that talkative either)? Well King David in the Bible was so good at expressing his honest feelings to God.  He did not always say what was right, but he did keep his integrity.  I think Psalms 69:10-20 is a perfect example of a winter season that he was going through.  This is just a little encouragement when even the best of us has bad days.

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