Many times, God uses a time of mourning, even periods of Silent Grief, to activate joy which sprouts and blooms along with tears of weeping to bring the harvest of dancing, as seen in Psalm 30:11. As well as I know these truths in my head, my heart still yearns to refuse these realities since I would prefer not to experience a season of winter in my life. I want the abundance of joy and hope, the happiness that arises from sunny-and-warm spring and summer days where blessings are soon followed by a fall of harvest of maturity in my life, without the grief, pain, and loss accompanying winter. Yet the unrecognized, and sometimes rejected blessings of winter, with their numerous demands on my life, are frequently the very gifts that focus my attention and resources onto that which is vital for life, Christ Jesus.     

The fall of my tears, the weight of my pain, and the slowing of my activities removes the arrogance that has accumulated and makes way for the reproductive growth of the fruit of the Spirit (see Galatians 5:22-23). My default natural response of arrogance, where I toil to make things happen for me in my own time and in my own strength, would never occur without the reset created through the Gift of Winter and its seasons of grief and loss. Winter’s pain vernalizes my natural inclinations so that fruit will be borne which might nourish others, both for now and generations to come. If I try and do everything possible to escape (or quicken) this necessary reset process, I might lose the full benefit that the Gift of Winter provides. This principle is best seen through Scripture in Romans 5:3-5; yet, we prefer to relish the harvest of character and hope without the struggle of winter’s tribulations.

Tribulation, however, is necessary as it creates the growing environment for learning that only arises in service for and through Him, who lasts for all seasons and all time (see Matthew 6:19-21). And yes, these words are far easier said than done! Just when I’ve deceived myself that I appreciate the Gift of Winter after nine years, I find myself once again in the mire of the gray, cold days of a new storm in this same long winter of chronic illnesses. Abiding in the quietness and trust shown in John 15:1-11 confirms that humility’s roots are watered by grief while obedience’s roots glean nutrients of self-control and patience buried deep in the hard but fertile soil of loss. Growth is not easy, be in a plant’s life or mine. Yet, this soil scientist knows that all of these truths working together are required to produce the chlorophyll of joy that displays the bright, fresh, sturdy, spring-green hope of the completed resurrection and coming return of our Christ.

The Gift of Winter is not a present I would have chosen but has become a gift I’d never exchange because of what I’ve learned about God. The faith that grows in winter is sharper, deeper, richer, and more distinctive, just like early daffodils poking up through snow. Even now, as more stripping of my life’s foliage continues as winter deepens, I pray to be able to see evidence of faith growing hidden beneath the snow, as I plead morning by morning on Tiptoes of Anticipation of His answer for this request (see Psalm 5:3). Such struggles, as a greater loss of independence from no longer being able to drive and a continual tethering to a smartwatch with emergency auto-dial in event of a fall, try to choke out joy’s bloom with the chill of worry as winter’s grip tightens its hold on my body. Yet even now, or in the deepest of winters that might be ahead, I hold hard to the truth that nothing can ever come between Christ and his unfailing love for me (see Romans 8:31-39). Similarly, I can rest in the truth that no pain, no grief, no loss is able to keep those springs of joy from abounding when the fullness of time has come for Christ’s appearing.

It is my sincere hope that your Gift of Winter is a mild one; and that you might be encouraged to accept the Habit of Growth arising from these times of struggle. May your roots be deeply planted, and may you be nourished, not only by Scripture, but by the relational equity that others can provide when the harsh, cold days surround you. Please feel free to share in the comments below the times when you have outlasted the Gift of Winter and experienced a season of joy and peace.

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