The Chill of Life is Warmed By the Comfort of God

The Chill of Life is Warmed By the Comfort of God

Posted on April 6, 2014by rebekahbeene

Yesterday was supposed to have been sunny and warm. Instead it was overcast and cold with a bone chilling wind most of the day. Because it was cold and because the wind blew and because we were outside in it I got chilled to the bone. When we packed up and headed home I was still cold. After drinking a pot of coffee and having a hot bowl of chili I was still feeling the effects of the cold. Finally I just had to go to bed. Once inside the warmth of our heavy comforter I felt the chill leave and I could finally relax. 

There are times when we experience cold, sunless days. The winds of adversity howl around us.  We don’t set out to plan for the bone chilling trials and situations that come our way, but they happen nonetheless. We may be caught without protection and think we are going to succumb to the weather.  We’re numb with grief and we’re shaking with worry and fear. Worried that the wind won’t ever subside and fear that our present weather is the truth for us the rest of our lives.  

We also, if truth be known, wonder if God is aware of our circumstances and if He can or will do anything to help us.  We need something more than a blanket and a cup of coffee to abate the deep chill that has settled in our hearts and minds.

God wants you to know that the weather you are experiencing didn’t catch Him by surprise.  He cares about everything that concerns you. He hasn’t left you to fight the fear and worry alone and He isn’t going to leave you in your present circumstances forever.  He speaks to you this morning and His words are full of love. There is a shelter from life’s storms and it is the Lord Himself. He will hide you in the comfort of His Word and keep you sheltered until the winds subside and the chill is gone. Even while you are experiencing the onslaught of a surprise winter in your life, He is working all things out for your good and His glory. Nothing in all creation, not the wind or the weather or any other thing can keep you from finding what you need in Him. Once you have stepped into His presence and given the entire situation over to Him you will begin to see warmth return and peace preside.

Oh beloved, He’s got this. He has taken your chilling situation and is turning it around. He will take you into His loving arms and give you the light of His love which will warm you in the midst of the cold. He will protect you with His Word and He has given you The Comforter to cover you entirely for the duration. He will not let you go through the winds of adversity without seeing His divine nature teach you more about His warmth than you know about the cold. He’s for you and He’s working those things out so that you will feel the warmth of His presence and see the answers to your heartfelt cries.  You may not have much to rely on right now, but He is enough. You can always rely on Him. You go through nothing alone and your present situation is not permanent.

God loves you and He’s for you and that, beloved, will get you through, make you strong, keep you warm and calm the winds of adversity so that you can live in the light of His Truth all the days of your life.

John 14:26 But the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, Whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will cause you to recall (will remind you of, bring to your remembrance) everything I have told you. Amplified

Psalm 27:5 For He will conceal me there when troubles come; He will hide me in His sanctuary. He will place me out of reach on a high rock.

1 John 5:15 And since we know He hears us when we make our requests, we also know that He will give us what we ask for.

Psalm 59:16 But as for me, I will sing about your power. Each morning I will sing with joy about your unfailing love. For you have been my refuge, a place of safety when I am in distress.

Psalm 5:11-12 But let all who take refuge in You rejoice; let them sing joyful praises forever. Spread Your protection over them, that all who love Your name may be filled with joy. For You bless the godly, O Lord; You surround them with Your shield of love.

Flames of Faith Overtake the Chill

It’s cold outside this morning. I mean really cold. This is the coldest day of the season so far. When I arrived home yesterday evening I was chilled to the bone. Just this small cold snap reminds me that I don’t like winter’s temps. I wondered if I’d ever feel warm again. But I’m warm inside my house. My hubby built a nice roaring fire in the fireplace yesterday afternoon and it is still full of embers that are still keeping the house warm.  I may have to go out in the cold momentarily but I know that when I return it will still be warm inside.

There are times in our lives when it’s just cold. The chill of adversity has us shivering. The plummeting temperatures of trails, hurts and pain has us wondering if we’ll ever be warm again.  Will we ever feel the warmth of true friendship when others seem to walk away so easily? Will we know the flame of true love when we can’t seem to hang onto it? Will adversity keep battering away its high winds on the walls of our hearts and minds? People may try to warm us, make us feel better or console us, but we must find our way out of the chill in our hearts ourselves, so that we can stay warm and secure no matter what.

Oh beloved, rejoice!  God has kept the home fires burning! He is the fire of your warmth for days and nights like this. He is beckoning you to come in out of the elements and warm up to His love and His truth. Regardless of the conditions that surround you, He is your shelter in the storm. You don’t have to remain at the mercy of the howling winds of circumstances, for you are covered by His loving care.   You are never alone, never left out in the cold and never forced to remain distant from the Lord. No matter what, God is with you. No matter what, He will take you in. No matter what, He will cause spring to come again to your heart and the chill of today’s trials will melt in the light of His glory and grace.

Quit rehearsing the problems and begin to rehearse God’s Word over your problems. The flames of faith will overtake the chill and you will find that, even in the midst of it all, God’s love will warm you, God’s word will cover you and His peace will blanket you all the days of your life.

Psalm 36:7 How precious is Your unfailing love, O God! All humanity finds shelter in the shadow of Your wings.

Psalm 31:20 You hide them in the shelter of Your presence, safe from those who conspire against them. You shelter them in Your presence, far from accusing tongues.

Isaiah 12:2 See, God has come to save me. I will trust in Him and not be afraid. The Lord God is my strength and my song; He has given me victory.

Psalm 23:6 Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Psalm 84:10a A single day in your courts is better than a thousand anywhere else!

2 Corinthians 1:3 All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort.

Life Has it's Ups and Downs - But God's Loving Care Remains Constant!

The weather around here has been unstable to say the least. Snow at Christmas stayed on the ground for a week. Three days ago it was 70 degrees and this morning it’s 26 degrees and the high will barely get higher than freezing. Those few warm days we had caused rose bushes and tulip trees to pop out buds, thinking that spring had sprung.  Up and down, the fluctuation is hard on people, plants and animals alike.  Watching the weather can become our focus as we try to keep plants and animals cared for.  We need to be prepared and yet there are times when we’re caught out in it and aren't prepared.  Thankfully the bad weather will change to good eventually and spring weather will turn into the blessings of summer.

Life is a lot like the weather.  It can be rather unstable. One day all is well and turn the corner of a single day and things can go off-center.  Hard times seem to get harder. One good day and we’re flying high on the blessings. But let a bad day come and we’re shriveled in the cold harsh reality of life.  Fluctuations can ruin us if we concentrate on them. If the fluctuations of life’s situations are our focus, we’re going to be so busy dealing with things that we find ourselves worn out and done in.  Cold days of sorrows and trials make us want to retreat permanently. Our hearts that swelled with joy in warmer days are shrinking in the cold of hard times. We find our feelings going up and down as we focus on the situations at hand.

Oh beloved, it’s time to wrap yourself in the warmth of God’s loving care! He knows your situation, He knows your ups and downs and how hard it has been. He knows the doctor’s report, the financial report, the credit report and more. He knows you may be stuck in the winter of your life and you may not have even seen it coming. Harsh reality has set in and your focus has been on the worst of it. But God calls you to Himself! He speaks sweet Truth into your ear. If you will take your focus off of the weather of life and put it solely on Him.  His promises to you must be your only focus, for life and people and circumstances will fluctuate, sometimes wildly and you’ll get caught in the storm without proper care! The Lord Himself is your covering and His Word is your proper attire. Take in His Word for your morning sustenance, wear His Word on your heart for protection against the day’s changing times. And when you lay your head down at night, cover yourself with His Word for its precious warmth in the night. Our God is an awesome God! He loves you like no other and because of His great love for you He will always be with you and that’s all that you really ever need.

Psalm 55:22 Cast your burden upon the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken. (NAS)

Psalm 54:4 Behold, God is my helper; The Lord is the sustainer of my soul.

Psalm 5:12 For you bless the godly, O LORD; you surround them with your shield of love.

Psalm 91:1 Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

God Wants to Warm Your Heart!

The wind is howling outside my window this morning. From the balmy day yesterday to the blustery movement of a cold front makes for huge changes in the weather. I prefer balmy, it helps me to be able to move in and out of the car while finishing up Christmas without having to brace for the cold.  The noise of the elements makes one want to stay inside and just cuddle up.

Even though it’s only 5 days until Christmas, the Christmas spirit isn’t showing up everywhere. For some, their hearts have grown cold because of a change in their circumstances overnight.  People we loved are suddenly taken from us, tragedies of all kinds abound, people don’t keep their promises and jobs don’t last.  We hope against hope that all things will work out, but some are wondering if it’s really going to happen.

Will there be another warm sunny day? Or is life going to continue to howl it’s cold winds through your life? Is there anywhere to find the warmth you so desire, or are you destined to let your heart grow as cold as the day?

Oh beloved, let God warm your heart! He knows your troubles, your trials, your sorrows and your hopes and dreams. He loves you! His plan for you is good, in spite of the present situation.  There will be a warmer day. There will be a brighter sunrise.   In the meantime, it’s best to stay very close to the warmth of His mercy, love and grace. He will keep you safe, never leave you, always guide you and give you the grace to make it. All you have to do is lean on Him. His shoulders are as eternal as His Word and His Word is the only Truth and Light you will ever need for the dark cold days. 

He loves you, oh beloved one, and He’s for you all the way to heaven and that’s worth staying close by His side now isn’t it?  

John 14:27  Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. (KJV)

Matthew 11:28 Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.

Micah 7:7  As for me, I look to the LORD for help. I wait confidently for God to save me, and my God will certainly hear me.