Many places around the world are experiencing their winter season right now, which means there has been a major a drop in temperatures, Brrrr... The cold winter months can last a long time for some, and those who are very fortunate flee, seeking a warmer climate - they are called the Lucky Ducks!
Which, unfortunately, I am not, so I plod on, enduring frost covered windshields, puffy winter jackets, boots and tights, even enduring a cup of hot cocoa now and then after a cold, brisk walk... such suffering.
A strong memory slipped into my mind the other day, and I tucked it away so I could recall it later when I published my January 2020 blog post, and since this is the last day of January 2020, I should probably publish it now!
Several years ago, my husband and I found ourselves standing outside in frigid temperatures.
The reason why we were doing so escapes me, but nonetheless, there we were, standing outside in the cold, for a lengthy period of time.
Shivering, and cold to the bone, both of us stood there trying to have a conversation, but our lips were so cold it was hard to talk.
My husband wasn't complaining about the cold at all, but I was, and I told him so, "I'm so cold, I can hardly stand it anymore!"
Then he turned to me and said, "Just embrace it! Embrace the cold!" And he shrugged his shoulders like it was no big deal.
I looked at him like he was mad or something. How can you embrace the cold when you are already freezing?? And why would I embrace something that is painful? Because, I am painfully cold right now!
It sounded ludicrous.
The more I looked at him, the more I noticed that he wasn't shivering at all, but was actually enjoying the time with me, out in the cold - because he was embracing it.
So, I loosened my shoulders, took a deep breath, and put mind over matter to work, allowing the cold to penetrate every cell in my body.
I imagined my arms opening wide and embracing the wintry weather.
Then, to my surprise, my shivering stopped!
Why? Because I allowed myself to embrace the coldness.
This may sound silly, but it's the honest truth!
After imagining myself completely embracing the cold, I stopped fighting it, and I was immediately flooded with peace.
Embracing the cold settled me.
In that moment I recognized the power of embracing difficult circumstances.
All my preparation for the cold, could not have prepared me for how difficult it was going to be to stand in the cold for a long time.
How many times have we equipped ourselves, ready for battle? Ready to endure a long haul? Ready for the cold?! and then in the midst of the trial we fall apart because we are SO tired from the trial being SO long!
This isn't what we expect! We prepared ourselves! we were ready for the difficulty! We even found grace to go through the trial!
But, days turn into weeks, and weeks turn into months, and months turn into years... and we begin to fall apart in the midst of the trial, because we lose strength to go on.
It wasn't until I was standing in the cold with my husband did I realize, that there is more to just accepting difficult circumstances and trudging on.
The Lord wants us to go beyond acceptance into overcoming the situation.
And that comes by way of "embracing it!"
Everything in me wanted to flee to warmer temperatures, take off my hat and gloves, and warm up by the fire, but that was out of the question for that present moment.
So I accepted what I could not change, and that meant embracing the cold, and I instantly found peace.
Many times over since that cold afternoon, I've recalled my husband's words and applied them to different situations in my life.
It was a profound experience for me, made very real and very alive by the spiritual implication of overcoming obstacles by embracing them, and not fleeing from them.
Isn't that funny? The words my husband spoke to me so long ago - in the heat of the moment - made this lasting impression on me!
This was such a personal awakening for me, that I never thought to share it with anyone else until now.
While getting ready for work last week, I was actually praying about a difficult situation and singing to the Lord at the same time, searching for an answer from Him, when I reminded myself with those familiar words... "Embrace the cold."
I had immediate peace.
In that moment I remembered what it felt like to go from being painfully cold to peacefully calm.
Then my answer came by way of this reminder: I not only accept what has come my way, but I embrace it as His WILL for my life. Giving Him glory in doing so.
There is no other place I want to be, but in the center of His will, and if He has chosen a certain lot for me, then I must not flee from it, but accept it, and overcome the obstacle by embracing it.
Thoughts to ponder:
If God is for us, then who can be against us?
He doesn't want us to be frustrated,
but He wants to give us hope for an expected end!
How could we ever think that God would do something wrong by us?
Or give us something we couldn't handle?
He wants to become strong in our weak moments.
When we feel like we can't go on anymore, or we want to give up,
We merely have to LOOK to Jesus!
When we look to HIM for our strength, we glorify Him.
Would we deny Him of this glory?
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?
Will you let anything prevent you from doing God's will for your life?
Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword
separate us from the love of Christ?
Or from doing His will?
NO!
In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
For I am sure that neither death nor life,
nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come,
nor powers, nor height nor depth,
nor anything else in all creation,
will be able to separate us
from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord!
Or from fulfilling His will!
This is my declaration - I make my stand today!
NOTHING on earth, or in my family, or in my workplace, or in my head will separate me from MY love of Christ, or from doing His will.
Accepting circumstances is a sure sign that the grace of the Lord is at work in our heart, but embracing circumstances by imaging our arms completely wrapping around the difficulty at hand, causes us to RISE ABOVE circumstances and overcome.
Then we can soar high above any situation we find difficult because the peace of God that passes all understanding floods our soul.
God can provide OUR every need today and always.
We merely have to LOOK to Him. He can fill you with grace, strength and peace today!
Open your arms wide to Him and see Him move on your behalf.
Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:11-13)
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Blessings ~
My Sun & Shade
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