Coldest Days

READ: PSALM 121; MATTHEW 11:28-30; 28:20

During the coldest days of winter, it’s almost difficult to remember what summer is like—how we can go outside in just T-shirts and shorts, and still feel too warm. The sun beating down on us in the summertime makes us long for pools and ice cream and all sorts of things that cool us down, while in winter we’re usually trying to find ways to warm up.

On the coldest days of winter, we might get frustrated. It can feel like this time is lasting forever and a nice summer day will never come. But it will come again. It always does.

And in the same way, when we go through difficult times in life, we don’t have to worry that life will never be good again. Things will turn around. They always do.

God has created many seasons for us, not just winter and summer, but seasons in life as well. Sometimes the world around us feels cold, and sometimes it feels bright and warm. But we can trust Jesus to guide us through all of life’s seasons, and keep us right where we need to be. • Bethany Acker

• When life feels cold, do you get nervous that it will never be warm again? We all have this fear from time to time, but the truth is, no struggle will last forever. And in every season, Jesus is with us. He sees all the hard things we go through, and He has not abandoned us. In fact, it was because of God’s great love for us that Jesus came and lived among us, died on the cross, and rose from the grave. So now, if we’ve put our trust in Jesus, we can look forward to the day He will return and make all things new. Then all our sadness and frustration will be gone forever (Revelation 21:1-5). In the meantime, we can rely on Him to provide warmth on cold days and refreshment on hot days—and to use every season to help us become more and more like Him (Romans 8:28-29). How can these truths help us weather the difficult seasons of life?

• Can you think of any ways God has helped you in hard seasons before? Consider taking a moment to thank Him for this.

• One of the primary ways God helps His people, is through His people. Who are trusted Christians in your life who can rejoice with you, mourn with you, pray with you, and remind you of God’s never-ending love? And how can you be this kind of friend to others? (Romans 12:15)

The LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore. Psalm 121:8 (NIV)