And we must not embrace their ways by complaining—grumbling with discontent, as many of them did, and were killed by the destroyer. 1 Corinthians 10:10 TPT
Today begins a new month, a great time to have a new beginning. After all we are told in Isaiah 43:19 God starts new things. The truth is even when we have new beginnings, there are certain things that remain the same. Like our weather. Over the past weeks I have heard so much complaining and grumbling over the weather. It’s too cold, it’s too snowy, it’s too icy, it’s too windy. It’s making me depressed, I’m so discouraged, I don’t feel like doing anything. For me all that complaining is just crazy!
We live in the Northeast and it is winter. It’s supposed to be cold and snow. Some winters are mild, some are harsh and some are somewhere in the middle, like this winter. So since we can’t change or control the weather, then what are we supposed to do? How about change our minds and attitudes. Yes it’s been frigid, but most of us also live in houses with automatic heating systems. We don’t have to go collect or chop firewood or shovel coal by hand. We have warm coats, gloves, hats and boots. After it snows we may have to shovel, but once it’s done we can go back in and enjoy the warmth. If the job is big enough, we have snowblowers and plows. Streets within a day are usually passable enough that if we want to go out we can. So why are we so whiney?
Because we’re embracing the Israelites ways, the negative instead of the positive and it destroys our peace, joy and realtionship with the Lord. Bottom line we become ungrateful and begins to affect everything in our lives. And the warning of John 10:10 about the thief coming to steal, kill and destroy is forgotten and we play right into the enemies cruel hands. We forget about Philippians 4:8 that tells us what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Seriously, what is more pure and lovely than newly fallen snow? How much should we admire the amazing fact that no two snowflakes are the same. Or how they saprkle like millions of diamonds when the sunlight hits them. We should honor those who are outside clearing the sidewalks and streets, so we can get around easier. The blessing of shelter from the cold and the wind. The warmth of the sun and the power of the wind to help dry off wet surfaces so they don’t refreeze. And to embrace that even if we didn’t have all these other things, we would still be children of God whose forgiven all our sins, healed all of our diseases, restored our spirits and saved our souls through His Son Jesus.
I don’t like the affects of snow, cold and wind that we need to deal with either. But it’s all temporary and there is still beauty that can be seen. So let’s embrace what never changes, the love that Jesus has for us. That love that gets us through no matter what the circumstances. Spring is coming and all its beauty and warmth. So let us not forget, it too will hold some not so pleasant weather, and Jesus will be there waiting to help us get through, just like He is helping us through this winter when we choose to embrace Him instead of the weather.
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