“He says to the snow, ‘Fall on the earth,’ and to the rain shower, ‘Be a mighty downpour’” (Job 37:6).

During the winter, the days are cold, dark, and barren. Colors are drab and unappealing. Winter is my least favorite season, but even so, it’s important both in nature and in our spiritual life. Our lives resemble the four seasons: new beginnings like the spring, busy like the summer, harvest like the fall, and rest like the winter.

We resist experiencing winter in our lives, which is natural. We want continual spring or summer or fall. Any season but winter, really. But a winter season doesn’t mean we’re doing anything wrong. It can feel that way when our days are bleak and our souls are tired.

Lately, I’ve resisted God’s call to a winter season, but I’ve come to realize that this is not a punishment. Rather, it’s an invitation to join him, to learn more about him, and to abide in him. When I give all I have for growth (spring) and activities (summer) and results (harvest), then I must also experience a time of renewal (winter).

Experiencing a winter season fits right in with my word for the year: “renew.” (You can read that post here.) I believe God helped me choose this word because he wanted me to learn to rest. But I am learning that the lessons go much deeper. As always when I choose a word, God reveals his plan for me one step at a time.

God can use winter seasons in our lives to show us how to appreciate joyful times when they come our way. When we deal with sadness, we’re better equipped to help others who are experiencing the same thing: “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God” (2 Cor 1:3-4).

Just as nature rests in the winter, a season of winter in life means resting and relying on God’s Word for sustenance. The cold of winter invites not activity but intimacy: a time of drawing close to God. I’ll use this time to study his Word and talk to him in prayer as a friend.

With God’s help, I’m learning to appreciate winter as never before. It’s not easy, and I can’t help but count the days until spring. But without the dark, dreary winter days, I wouldn’t appreciate the bright, sunshiny springtime nearly as much. And what a spring it will be.

Dear Jesus, as difficult as winter can be, I want to thank you for allowing the winter season in my life so that I can learn to rest in you. Show me how to make the most of this time. Amen.