Here in the deep South, we don’t exactly have what you would call Winter. We don’t actually have four seasons. There are really only variations of Summer and Fall. For many people, this is a bit confusing. But that is Southern living. I’m totally okay with that, though. I don’t do snow!
While our geographical location may be a determining factor for what type of season we experience, spiritually speaking, that is not the case.
Spiritual seasons occur no matter where we live. These seasons come and these seasons go. They are constantly changing. It doesn’t matter where we live or how old we are.
I have spoken with so many of my friends recently, who feel dry and empty. They’re not enthusiastic about anything. They feel drained and unimportant. They feel small. They feel disconnected from community. They feel distant from God. They’re experiencing a spiritual season of winter.
If this perhaps describes how you are feeling, I don’t have all of the answers, but what I do know is that no season lasts forever. And after winter, comes Spring.
God Wants to Do Something New
“See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” {Isaiah 43:19}
Although God never changes, His work in our lives often does. The way He moved in our past circumstances will not necessarily be the way that He will move in our current or future ones. There comes a time in our relationship with Him when He calls us to set aside our old thinking and old ways.
It’s hard, but it’s the only way He can bring us into the new thing He wants to do in our lives. It’s a process. And it takes time. But God is so patient with us. He doesn’t waste those wilderness, wasteland moments. He often uses them to usher us into the next place of promise and to encourage those around us who are walking through the same thing.
New Seasons Are a Time for Growth
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.” {Matthew 5:6}
Growth is what the Lord is after in our lives. He never desires for us to be stagnant in our faith. The nice thing about growth is that we get to work together with God for this growth. Too often in today’s culture, we move at such a high-speed pace, we don’t slow down enough to realize our need for God. We become incredibly self-reliant and self-sufficient. We want to know what’s coming next, so we take control of every situation.
We need to stir up a depth of hunger and thirst for the Lord that cannot be quenched by any other thing. That is our part in this work for growth. This verse in Matthew is a guarantee from God. When we prioritize Him first and do everything to bring Him honor, He blesses us with a rich satisfaction in Himself. There is always something new that we can learn about God, ourselves, and the work He is doing on the earth.
We can always go deeper. He can always take us deeper.
Hold On To Hope
“He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.” {Philippians 1:6}
In this verse, Paul is exhorting the church at Philippi. He is thanking them for their care and support while also acknowledging their hardships. We will have Winter seasons. We will feel discouraged. We will feel lonely. We will feel far from the Lord.
But know that we are not! He is our hope. He will never leave us or forsake us. He will never give up on us. There is no sin so great or despair so profound or Winter so barren that the Lord cannot reach you. His arm is indeed mighty to save.
The Lord is near to your broken heart.
The Lord cares for all that concerns you.
The Lord is doing a new work in you.
The Lord is bringing you into Spring.
Are you in a spiritual Winter? Are you hopeful that God is bringing you into Spring?
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Bev @ Walking Well With God says
Good morning Karina,
How true that the Lord is always growing us. Like you said, He doesn’t want us to become stagnant in our faith. Fortunately, right now, I am not in a winter season…but have been through winter many times. I found that God often had to remove every distraction so that it would be just Him and me. It is in those times that I learn to draw close to Him…to depend only on Him. When I do, then He does so mercifully provide streams in the wasteland to satisfy me. Each “winter” I go through builds confidence that He will get me through the next time “winter” rolls around. Great thoughts – thanks!
Blessings,
Bev
Karina Allen says
Thank you Bev!
I have been at a funeral of a sweet young friend
who passed away of brain cancer. She was 31, married for 3 years and has
a 5 month old daughter. This is Winter for all of her family. I am so
encouraged that all of them are holding onto the hope of Spring and
God’s healing.
Us and Him…that is all He desires. May no thing become a distraction for us. May our gaze be only fixed on Him!
Thank you for sharing!!!!
robin says
well, am just remembering that spring is pretty messy here in northern NY state. so. why should I be surprised!!
Karina Allen says
Robin, thank you for reading and sharing! I pray that today is beyond blessed for you and that The Lord is real to you today in the messy Spring. 🙂
Elizabeth says
So needed this today
Karina Allen says
Elizabeth, I am so glad that The Lord spoke to you. He is ever so good and faithful to us! Praise Him and bless you sister!
Camille says
I am thankful for this because I feel Spring coming in my life and in my city! I am ready for it
Karina Allen says
Amen Camille! I definitely sense that stirring here in Baton Rouge as well! I am ready for revival!!!!!
Abby says
Thank you so much for sharing, I can’t tell you how much I needed this today!!
Karina Allen says
Abby, that blesses me!!!! He always speaks a word when we need it most! He is good like that!!!! I bless you with peace, comfort and joy in Jesus’ name.
Joanne Peterson says
Hi Karina,
I like Corrie ten Boom’s writings very much, they no matter what season I’m in speak to me. She said something that goes along with your truth-filled message.
“There is no pit where God is not deeper still.” When I am going through a rough time, dry desert season, I remember this quote. God is still working as you said in these desert seasons, and often the dormancy is readying for new growth. Like gladiolas, tulips, crocus’s and hyacinths need the dormancy through the winter to see spring. Amazingly, one red flower in Wisconsin, and right now I can’t think of it’s name, even comes up through/during the snow. It is in this winter/desert time where we learn to trust by faith even though we can’t seem to see Him. This time also builds trust knowing He’s still there.
Thank you for your timely message today!
Blessings,
Joanne
Karina Allen says
Thank you for sharing Joanne! I love that you know about flowers! If you ever see that red flower, I’d love a pic of it!!! That quote is a good one! I seem to always need that reminder. Thank God that He is patient with us.
I’m so glad that you were encouraged. Be blessed!!!
Danna Anderson says
Thank you Karina…I loved everything about this! We can rest assured that God has everything covered no matter what season we find ourselves in. We know different seasons come and go and can find peace in the promises God’s given each of us. I appreciate and love your writing. God bless you!
Dannabunny
Karina Allen says
Danna, you are too sweet! Thank you so much! I find much rest in knowing that He covers us in every season. He is all things at all times in every situation.
He is our Abba Father!
Danna Anderson says
Yes He is! And His blessing come through servants like You As you allow Him to guide your writing!
Karina Allen says
Thank you!!!! 🙂
Angie Ryg says
“His arm is indeed mighty to save.”
Yes! His arms that envelop us with tender care and hen He whispers tender love to our hearts no matter what we have been going through!
I love everything about this!
Thanks you for such beautiful life giving words!
XO,
Angie
Karina Allen says
Thank you Angie!!!! I am beyond grateful for His truth, salvation and constant care! Love you sister!!!
Kathy says
Today is the 2nd anniversary of my mom’s unexpected passing. I miss her greatly but know she is in a better place. I am so ready for a spiritual spring as I have been experiencing a hard winter season. Thank you for this message. I really needed it. It gave me hope and reminded me that I am not alone.
Kathy
Karina Allen says
Kathy, you are never alone! I went to a friends funeral today. She was 31, married for 3 years & has a 5 month old baby girl. Her faith was strong and unwavering. It’s hard being left behind but knowing where she is brings comfort & peace.
Weeping endures for a night but joy comes in the morning!
Praying that God is near to you like never before and that He brings sweet community around you to uphold you and intercede for you.
You are loved and held. Blessings to you!
Marty says
THIS POST IS AWESOME! And this whole paragraph: ” Although God never changes, His work in our lives often does. The way He moved in our past circumstances will not necessarily be the way that He will move in our current or future ones. There comes a time in our relationship with Him when He calls us to set aside our old thinking and old ways.” TRUTH.
Thank you so much for sharing your insights. Such great encouragement for those of us in a season of Winter.
Karina Allen says
Marty, I am so overjoyed that The Lord met you within these words! I pray that He moves in your life in very tangible ways. He loves you and has good in store for you. Hold on. Spring will surely come!
Beth Williams says
Morning Karina,
Last year I felt like I was in a year long winter season with small breaks. It was tough, but it seemed to bring me closer to God and I needed Him more!! During that time He brought my hubby and I closer to Him and more dependent on Him. We prayed more and read scripture. He watered my wasteland!! Praising God for a new Spring, new life and new opportunities!!
Blessings 🙂
Karina Allen says
Amen Beth! That is where He wants us, completely dependent on Him. He speaks revelations and mysteries in those dry wastelands. He calls us deeper into His presence. He readies us for the new that is to come.
Thank you for sharing!
HolleyGerth says
I really needed to hear this today, friend. Thank you for your encouragement! Grateful for you!
Karina Allen says
I am so glad Holley! I pray that He will show up this week in ways you least expect. May He shower you with joy, strength and hope. Take heart. He is making all things new. Do not grow weary. Rest in His arms and allow Him to sing a sweet song over you.
I love you sister!!!!
Ruth McD says
Gooday Karina,
How timely to read not only your beautiful message, but the responses also.
A small team of us are taking a one day retreat to a small country town in NSW Australia at the beginning of May – our theme – Seasons. Whilst you are enjoying your spring, we are now in autumn! What you have shared is great encouragement to explore not only the seasons but how do we go forward when change comes. Thank you. Blessings – Ruth
Karina Allen says
Gooday Ruth! I love that you are from Austrailia! I love that accent!
The retreat sounds lovely. I wish I could go! I think that God is wanting His daughters to know that we will go through hard, dry seasons but they won’t last forever. He is our hope and strength in the midst of them.
Thank you so much for reading and sharing! Have a blessed day!
Jennifer says
This was a beautiful reminder, from God through you. i had a healer tell me months ago, that I was just in a season of winter, and that I would indeed emerge. It gave me hope, and your words have given me a renewed hope. Bless you!
Karina Allen says
Oh Yea Jennifer!
I love it when God confirms what He is doing in our lives! Hold onto hope sister! Jesus is our hope!
Blessings to you!!!