As the weather changes from winter into spring, I am reminded of my own faith journey. I have definitely gone through “seasons” of faith. I have probably seen more winters in the past than I have seen spring. Join me on a journey to discover what a spiritual winter is and how to develop it into flourishing faith.
Recognizing Spiritual Winter
How do you recognize winter? It is more than just months or days on a calendar. The season is characterized by colder weather, plants going dormant, some animals hibernating as well as the changes in human behavior. Although some people do flourish in winter, for the most part, activities are moved inside, people are more cautious about travelling and due to shorter periods of daylight, socialization may decrease.
Likewise, during spiritual winter, prayer often feels dry. We don’t spend as much time with God and sometimes we even forget to reconnect with Jesus. Our motivation for spiritual growth and enrichment often fades. Faith tends to feel quiet rather than vibrant. This is not abnormal. Even people who are mature in their faith experience winter.
Winter Has Purpose
When we look to nature to examine what can be the fruits of winter, we see that roots may grow deeper. Remembering Ecclesiastes 3:1, “There is an appointed time for everything, and a time for every affair under the heavens.” (usccb.org) allows us to know that all is not in our timing. There is a reason for every season and winter has its purpose. Refer to John 12:24,“Amen, amen, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit.” (usccb.org) Death produces more wheat when the grain dies and falls.
Spiritual winters can be viewed like death in plants. It can expose when our roots are too shallow. This helps us to maintain a healthy growth and reminds us to prune what will not bear fruit. During these times, invite and embrace the stillness. Remove distractions. Don’t put too much focus on what is dying or being pruned. Focus on the new life emerging.
The Thaw: What Begins the Shift?
If you live in a climate that has a true winter, you understand that the thaw signals the big shift from winter into spring. It begins with the melting snow and ice. Bushes and trees begin to bud and flower. Hidden life begins to become visible. We start seeing plants sprouting, birds arriving and the presence of more of God’s creatures.
After a spiritual winter, there is a gentle return to God. God is inviting us to return to Him just as Joel 2:12 reminds us, “Yet even now—oracle of the LORD—return to me with your whole heart,with fasting, weeping, and mourning.” (usccb.org) We can answer this invitation with small obedience instead of dramatic change. Open your hearts to Him with honest prayer. Psalm 62:8 reminds us, “My deliverance and honor are with God, my strong rock; my refuge is with God.” (usccb.org) Lean on Him.
Signs of Flourishing Faith
How do you know that your spiritual winter is ending and your faith is flourishing? There will be signs. You will have a renewed joy. God desires joy for us. Look to John 15:11 for this reminder, “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete.” (usccb.org) You will have a desire for Scripture and prayer. It becomes easier to make time for both and to spend time with Him. You will begin to show an increased compassion for others and your courage to live and share your faith returns.
That doesn’t mean you don’t have to work at it. Yes, you do. You need to give of yourself to Him. You need to be intentional about living your faith and spending time with Him. It does become easier to live with God as a priority, but it also takes intentional work. God never said being a Christian would be easy.
Practical Renewal Steps
Stepping out of a spiritual winter does require effort. You don’t just wait for it to happen. Be intentional about your spirituality. Invest in it. God is inviting you into a relationship with Him. Here are some things to do or habits to create to help you with your journey of renewal:
- Five-minute morning surrender: Start each morning surrendering yourself to God by offering your day, your words and your actions. If you need guidance, visit The Surrender Project.
- One scripture repeated daily: Choose one scripture that really speaks to you and calls you into a relationship with God and repeat it daily. Proclaim it.
- Gratitude journaling: Start a journal and spend time writing down what you are grateful for. You can pick a time of day or times of day that work best for you. Start small and build upon it. For example, in the morning, you can be grateful for another day.
- Worship before worry: Choose to worship and praise God, having faith and trust in Him for your life and spend less time worrying about it. Offer it up in prayer.
- Read a book for spiritual growth: There are a lot of books available for you to grow your spirituality. I wrote one called “Rise. Align. Shine, Living Boldly in Faith, Purpose and Joy.” It has exercises for you to go through to align your life with God. A new book that I just read, “Seasons of Surrender” is a great guide on how to begin surrendering and describes what it can look like,
Begin Now
Life can be cyclical. Remember that spiritual winter is not failure. It is preparation. Think of it as an opportunity for new growth. Prune what is no longer useful or bearing fruit to allow for that new growth. Remember that spring is coming. Sometimes it comes quietly like a lamb and other times it roars like a lion. Either way, it still comes. Invest in you. Invest in God. Together, invest in the relationship for the fruit of spiritual growth.
Let’s begin together, with prayer.
Dear Lord,
I am grateful for the life you have given me, each day opening like a gift before me. I long to grow deeper in relation with you. Give me strength for the daily challenges. I ask the Holy Spirit to guide me with wisdom in my daily choices. I implore Jesus to move me into service just as the example He has set for me.
Father, Son and Holy Spirit; embrace me, guide me and strengthen me in my spiritual journey to align my life and live the purpose I was created for. Let people see and hear Jesus in me.
I pray this in the Name of Jesus. Amen.
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