We are in the thick of January and some people have lights on their houses. Come on guys, you might be jumping the gun a little. We still have 343 days to wait for Christmas. Though it’s nice to see a little sparkle these days. Winter can be a rough season because the weather is unpredictable, the landscape is bleak and leafless, and it can feel like we are just hunkering down until Spring arrives.

Winter is made even more difficult since it starts off with such a bang. Christmas parties and New Year’s celebrations quickly taper off into, “I guess I better start thinking about my taxes.” Thankfully, around here, it only lasts about three months and gets better. Unfortunately, the hard seasons of life don’t work on such a regular timetable.

Hard seasons in life can last a few weeks, or they can last a few years. When we face the hard times, we can take solace in knowing that we don’t have to face them alone. Paul in Romans 12:9b-13 reminds us of this saying, “hold fast to what is good. 10 Love one another with mutual affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. 11 Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.”

It is the easiest thing in the world to celebrate when things are going well. It is only when we are going through the hard seasons that we learn what it means to be patient in tribulation. We learn how far we can lean into God’s love. We learn the importance of being constant in prayer.

And when we make it to the other side, it can feel like that first warm day in spring, like we are entering into a new world of possibilities. Most important of all, we have the strength to look for the people we can help. We can show them what is good so they can join us in the springtime of life.