Lessons Learned during a Winter Storm

So I have a confession to make, though it probably won’t come as a surprise to those who know me even relatively well: 

I really don’t like the season of winter. In fact, I could probably get along just fine without cold weather at all. To add to my distaste for winter, Kentucky had two particularly bad winter storms this season. The first resulted in college classes being cancelled for a week (that hadn't happened since the 1990s!) and us being snowed in for a majority of that time. The second one occurred a week later after it had rained all day previously, so the roads were not able to be salted. Because of this, the roads were in terrible condition, and even the major interstate was partially shut down for a time (with people having to spend the night in their cars).

However, even though, I do not care for the winter season all that much, I am grateful that I live in a place that has seasons. Because even though winter is a hard season for me, it makes me incredibly grateful for spring. And the Lord used this season of winter to teach me a few lessons that I thought I would share with you all.

There is a season to everything (Ecclesiastes 3:1). The first day that actually felt warm and that the end of winter was in sight was yesterday. I was reminded of the verse in Psalm 30:5 that states, “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.” And according to James 1, trials are going to come in this life. However, they are not going to last forever. So, even though you may be called to a season of waiting or a season of trial, tribulation, or even just pain that doesn't seem like it’s ever going to end, remember that it is a season. Morning always comes after night; joy always comes after weeping!

Lessons are learned during the hard seasons that cannot be learned during seasons of ease or comfort. For example, winter is beneficial for a number of reasons.

“In agriculture, a big snowpack helps insulate the ground, gives the soil plenty of water in the warmer months, and can help protect crops like berries and fruit. Severe cold also keeps bugs and bacteria at bay that can attack fields in the summer (Greg Mercer, Waterloo Region Record).” A long winter leads to a greener summer.

James 1 declares that there is a purpose to trial. “The testing of your faith produces endurance.” And we must not cut it short because “let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” The winter storms gave me time to catch up on homework, relax during a stressful semester, reflect, and just enjoy time with my housemates.

I also learned that circumstances are the result of God’s sovereign hand, and I need to accept them as His purpose for my life. A verse that my housemates and I dwelt on during this time was 1 Thessalonians 5: 18, “In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” I can be grateful no matter what circumstance I am in because I know that He is working all things together for His glory and my good (Romans 8:28).

So even though I may not have enjoyed the cold weather or foot and a half of snow that kept us inside, as I reflect on this past winter, I'm grateful. I'm grateful that this physical world illustrates spiritual concepts and teaches us lessons. I'm grateful that even though we are not called to ease or comfort, there is a promise of joy and life to be had in the midst of such times. And I'm thankful that Jesus is unchanging and faithful no matter what situation I find myself in. 

The Essentials for Strength: Pain and Difficulty

     Often I have wondered the “why” of pain, trials, difficulties, etc. Over the past few months, I have often thought that I know it is necessary and beneficial for me to go through these difficulties, hardships, etc. I have known that the Bible talks about them being good for us and how the Lord uses them. However, recently, He has revealed this to me in a much deeper way as I've been studying through the book of James.

In James 1, he says, “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds…”

     The word “meet” literally means “ in the midst of.” Therefore, this verse could read, “Count it ALL joy when you are in the middle of various trials.” Yes, he says ALL joy. That means there is no room for any kind of bitterness, complaining, etc. in the middle of various trials.

     How is this possible? How is it possible to go through some of the hardest difficulties with an undaunted, unmoved joy and cheerfulness?  The next verse explains it.

“For you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”

     The word for steadfastness or patience in some translations means “to be of a long spirit; to not lose heart; to persevere patiently and bravely in enduring misfortunes and troubles.”

     Webster’s 1828 defines it as this:  “Having the quality of enduring evils without murmuring or fretfulness; sustaining afflictions of body or mind with fortitude, calmness or Christian submission to the divine will; Not easily provoked; calm under the sufferance of injuries or offenses; not revengeful; Persevering; constant in pursuit or exertion; calmly diligent; Not hasty; not over eager or impetuous; waiting or expecting with calmness or without discontent”

     Therefore, trials in our lives produce an unmovable, unconquerable, brave courage within our souls. This courage and endurance leads to maturity in Christ.

In the fifth chapter of James, this concept is explained in even more depth. James is referring to rich men and states, “You have lived on the earth in luxury and in self-indulgence. You have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter.”

     The phrase “lived in luxury” or “lived in pleasure” means to live a soft, effeminate life. It comes from a root word meaning “to enfeeble.”

     So what does this imply? If we shy away from hardships or difficulties, we are actually just enfeebling ourselves. God wants to use trials and hardships to build us strong so that we can be poured out for His Kingdom. If we live in self-indulgence and for our own selfish pleasures, we are ultimately setting ourselves up for death. 

     Luke 8:15 speaks on how people who receive the Word in good soil produce fruit with patience (the same word I defined a few paragraphs ago). Physical growth brings pain. Many people go through growth pains (I’m 5’1”, so I never had them haha). They endure them because they know it’s worth it. We go through growth pains spiritually too. However, these are continual. In order to grow and mature in Christ, pain is necessary. Jesus will use it to grow us closer to Him and mature us spiritually. We must not shy away from pain or difficulty but embrace it, knowing the joy and life that is to be found on the other side. 

“God will not protect you from anything that will make you more like Jesus.” Elisabeth Elliot

“The story of real heroisms is the story of sacrificial blood. The chiefest values in life and character are not blown across our way by vagrant winds. Great souls have great sorrows.” Mrs. Charles E. Cowman

Love is Willing to be Vulnerable

“Greater love has no man than this,that a man lay down his life for his friends.” John 15: 13

For a long time, I think I had the mindset that relationships are mostly about what I can get from them. Now, most of us wouldn't openly admit that, but it shows in our actions. For instance, what happens when someone offends us? Well, we usually aren't happy about it at least and will sulk, distance ourselves from that person, or even cut off the relationship all together. I've heard so many rants about how “this person hurt me and did this horrible thing…” or “this person responded by saying____ in a text message to me!”

What is the entire purpose of relationships? Why do we have friendships? Is it for what we are going to get out of it? I think the question might be more easily answered if we asked ourselves what the entire purpose of being on earth is.

To give God glory.

So the whole point of relationships is to give God glory. He has given us friendships. They’re a blessing from Him. Why? So that they can bring Him glory. It’s not ultimately about us being satisfied or fulfilled (that should come from Him, Psalm 16:11) but about us pointing others back to the cross. You have been given friendships with the purpose to die to yourself, wash their feet, and spend yourself for the sake of the Gospel.

Relationships are not about what you are going to get out of them.

“Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” Philippians 2

The word for “selfishness” in this passage literally means “electioneering or intriguing for office; a desire to put one’s self forward; a root word of self-will.” Also, verse 4 would more accurately be translated according to the Greek as, “Do not look out for your own interests but for the interests of others.” The word “also” is not in the Greek.

So what does this passage reveal to us about relationships? Well, we’re not supposed to be looking out for our comforts, interests, or pursuits. We must be willing to let those be squashed if it will bring glory to God and point others to Him.

Later on in verse 16, Paul states:

“holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I will have reason to glory because I did not run in vain nor toil in vain.”

The word “run” means to exert one’s self and incur extreme peril.

“But even if I am being poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice and share my joy with you all.”

“Poured out” literally means “one whose blood is poured out in violent death for the cause.”

Is this the mindset with which you approach relationships? That it’s not about you or what you’re going to get out of it? Are you willing to pour yourself out, empty yourself for others?

Real love is willing to be made vulnerable. If you’re going to be intentional about relationships, seek to reach out to the unlovable, even just have friendships in which you recognize and know that you have that friendship so that you can pour into that person, you’re going to be hurt. People may lie to you. They may take advantage of you, since you’re not seeking to defend your interests or desires. You see, this is a privilege though.

“Very gladly spend and be spent for you, though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved.” 2 Corinthians 12: 15

Philippians says that it was Christ’s joy to lay down His life for us. True joy comes when we choose to stop fighting for our own interests and let Christ satisfy us. When Christ is truly our satisfaction, contentment, fulfillment, and joy, we can come into relationships with the mindset of pouring out rather than what we can get from them.

You have many opportunities every day in your common-place interactions with people to take the lowest place (Luke 14:10) and seek to serve them. Even when you’re just “hanging out” with friends, you have that opportunity to point them to Christ and the Gospel. You may be hanging out with Christians. Great. You’re given that privilege in order to serve the body of Christ and for His glory.

Jesus will take care of the rest and make sure all our needs are met. 

Our mindset, though?

Christ’s glory. And others. 

"Be the first wherever there is a sacrifice to be made, a self-denial to be practiced, or an impetus to be given." Amy Carmichael

"“The measure of self-giving is the measure of fulfillment.” Elisabeth Elliot