Philippians 4:11-13
In many areas of the country we have four seasons. Mid-January is usually the heart of winter for most as far as actual weather goes. Winter brings shorter days which means more darkness. It brings gray, dreary damp days with cold temps. During the fall or early winter many people winterize their cars and homes. They change oil weights, check antifreeze levels, and in some states put on snow tires. They put blankets and kitty litter or salt for traction for if they get stuck. For their homes they clean and service the furnace, use caulk and weather stripping on doors and windows or put up plastic to keep out the cold air. They disconnect water hoses and put them away so they don't freeze up.
In our spiritual lives we can have winters, too. Spiritually we can have dark, dreary cold days. We have to winterize in order to deal with and face them. Just like winter season can often bring the blues, discouragement, depression and more feelings of loneliness than usual, so can spiritual winters bring this. These spiritual winters are trials or inner battles with self and sin.
We are going to look at ways to winterize & guard against dark and dreary winters of our lives.
When trials come, we can let our guard down. We start focusing on how to cope or to fix the problem. This is when worldly ideas & philosophies can seep through the cracks of our hearts and minds. Friends and media influences can give non-biblical advice. Or we start rationalizing in our own minds what is correct instead of what God says. Maybe a friend advises revenge over a wrong rather than forgiveness. Maybe we decide it is more important to make money for bills than to go to church, or to pay a bill than to tithe or to lie, cheat or steal to get what is wanted.
--This is when we must caulk & weather-strip the cracks of hurt and desperation. Using God's Word is best for this. Read it, know it, memorize it to stop the cold air of the world from seeping in.
--Always check ideas, thoughts, and advice against scripture!
Psalm 119:11 - Thy word have I hid in thine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
2. The Icicles of Cold Attitudes
During winter it is easy to develop a bad attitude. With cold, damp, dreary days we can become cranky with others. We can complain more about everything and everyone! When in a trial we can really get into an icicle mode attitude. We blame spouse, children, family members, friends, co-workers and even God for the trial we are facing. Remember that only we can fix and change our bad attitude. Just decide to get over it. It's not easy when winter weight of ice is bearing down on us.
--Best to take a step back and remember who God is and who we are not!
Psalm 46:10a - Be still, and know that I am God
3. The Blizzards of Circumstances
Sometimes winter can bring a blizzard. A blizzard means heavy snow with 30 mph or stronger winds which causes severe drifting and poor visibility. The effects can be devastating. Circumstances in our lives can be devastating, too. Jobs are lost, bills pile up, loved ones get sick or even die, relationships go bad, cars break down, appliances break, etc. These weigh down on us like heavy blankets of snow and can pile up like snowdrifts until we think we can't go on because we can't see any light or let up at the end of the road.
--During blizzard times all we can do is hunker down and wait it out. We need to do ONLY what we can at each moment of the day and trust God for the outcome. He knows the end of the road and the plan he has.
Job 23:10 - But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.
4. The Jack Frost of Depression
If you are going through a trial, depression is going to come nipping at your heels sooner or later. Just like many people get the winter blues, trials seem to frost us with depression. When in a trial, it is often easy to let it just nip away and bring us further and further down. There's no easy way up out of depression but keeping in tune with God will help. Regular devotions and prayer time every day will help more than anything.
Psalm 55:17 - Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.
Isaiah 26:3-4 - Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.
Trust ye in the LORD forever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength:
Along with this goes good Christian fellowship and laughter. Have a lunch date with a friend. Watch your favorite funny movie or comedian.
Proverbs 17:22 - A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.
Many people put together Winter Survival Kits. Let's use this list of survival kit supplies to apply to a spiritual winter survival kit...
1. Non Perishable Food - Scripture!
- memorize scripture for those desperate times
2. Extra Blankets and Warm Clothing - Fellowship
- don't shut church family and friends out when in a trial - lean on them for support
3. Drinking Water - Christ the Living Water
- we need Jesus every day - his love, blessings & promises
4. Emergency Candles or Flashlights or Lamps - God's guidance
-God is the source of light - stay sensitive to His leading and guidance - fast, pray and listen to the still small voice within
Have you winterized yourself?
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