Email Melinda

“I, even I, am He Who comforts you.” Isaiah 51:12 

The holiday season is upon us, and for many that means that winter is here. The warm breezes of summer and various fragrances of fall have dissipated and been replaced by a brisk, cutting cold air. We find ourselves digging out coats and mittens, sweatshirts and scarves in an effort to stay warm. Our bodies feel pain as old injuries respond to the weather changes.  

The darkness of night comes much earlier, and there will be many days when we will not clearly see the sun shining. It will be hidden behind the thick clouds of winter. The pull of this season will cause us to bring out blankets and comforters and find a home in our favorite chair. Curled and covered up, we will read or rest in warmth until spring’s fresh breezes blow and the sun’s light is shining upon us again.

Winter conditions often parallel a spiritual season in our lives. It is a period of time when the warmth of God’s love has faded from our sight, and all we can see is the cold cruel facts of life. We may have experienced the loss of a loved one, illness in our own life or the life of someone we love, or financial troubles that leave us broke. Situations and circumstances cut deeply, leaving us feeling cold and in pain. Life looks dreary as we experience a sense of helplessness and, maybe even a hopelessness that we have never known before. We are not able to pull back the clouds and see the light. The clouds seem to grow thicker every day.  

Those around us are doing well seemingly unaffected by our “winter season.” Our situation causes us to shiver uncontrollably, just as the coldest winter night would do, and we feel deep grief and intense pain. The “darkness of night” has grown very long emphasizing further the depth of our anguish. This season of suffering goes on and on, leaving us lonely and longing for change.  

Perhaps the death of a parent, a child, or a friend—or some diagnosis or disease brought the devastation. Maybe it came about because a job is gone, a house was lost, or because of some other major life-changing event. Something occurred to cause a change in our “spiritual season,” and oftentimes we do not understand the reason so we feel a chill in our hearts towards God. Even more likely, we fall prey to the lie of the enemy that God’s heart is chilled towards us. “If you loved me, God, this would not have happened…You have failed me, Lord, and I wish You would tell me why…You promised, God, and I trusted You…God, I am hurting so badly. Where are You?” Yet all the while, He is speaking so softly “I, even I, am He Who comforts you.” Isaiah 51:12 

Only God has the power to change the seasons, in both the natural and spiritual realms. Through every season, He has promised to provide for us and sustain us. During our “winter,” He longs to be a “blanket of comfort” wrapped very tightly around us.

Second Corinthians 1:3-4 says, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, Who comforts us in all our tribulations, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” (Emphasis mine) 

In seeking comfort, our first thought is something tangible. We search for something or someone we can touch and see. How can God be comfort without being physically present we might ask. According to Scripture, He comes in the form of His Word and His Spirit to speak words of truth and love to us. When wrapped around us tightly, they provide warmth and comfort, which we cannot receive from any other source. They are like that priceless, down-filled quilt handed down from generation to generation; though they have been used repeatedly, they still provide a soft, warm environment to help us survive the “winters of life.” 

We find company in our loneliness as Hebrews 13:5 says, “I will never leave you or forsake you.” We find warmth in the cold knowing that we are “hidden in the shadow of His Hand,” according to Isaiah 49:2. We find relief from pain as I Peter 5:6-7 tells us, “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your cares upon Him, for He cares for you.” We find help in our troubles because Isaiah 41:13 says, “I the Lord your God, will hold your right hand, Saying to you, ‘Fear not, I will help you.’” We find rest in our weariness because God said, “I will carry you! I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry and deliver you.” (Isaiah 46:4b) We see tiny rays of light shining in our darkness as Isaiah 49:15-16 reminds us of God’s love saying, “Can a woman forget her nursing child, and not have compassion on the son of her womb? Surely they may forget, Yet I will not forget you. See, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands; Your walls are continually before Me.” 

The God that we serve is the “God of all comfort,” Who comforts us in all our tribulations and in any troubles. In my own life, I can testify that this is true. In every cold, hard place of life, He longs to be your God of all comfort, too. Perhaps you are shivering right now as the cold winds of life have brought “winter” to your heart. If so, He is ready and waiting to be The Comforter you need. Speak silence to the voices of doubt and torment. Listen quietly as He calls you unto Himself. Stop flailing and fighting for answers that will not change what has already occurred in your life. Instead, allow The Answer to wrap you up tight in His Word and His Spirit. Allow Him to hold you close until the “winter” has passed and “spring” arrives.  

©2001 Melinda Lancaster