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Often when January arrives, I find a strong need to escape from the landscape surrounding me.

As I notice the winter images of a new year, the dark winter days can draw out loneliness and hollow feelings. The missing leaves and barren branches found in this season can become a mirror of my thoughts if I allow my focus to be drawn to the dormant state of nature this month. Maybe it’s a picture of the loss of hope or life I feel since my husband is not here to love and support me. Even the wind chills my core and causes me to seek warmth and refuge away from the bitter cold I see.

Life still lurks in the roots or core of these plants. During winter, a plant has time to conserve energy until the weather and the season change. That parallels our need to rest in the Lord and His word in our season of loss. We can lean into the Lord and deepen our relationship with Him.

I know that God provided winter for us.

I also know that He makes everything beautiful in its time.

“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.”
Ecclesiastes 3:1 (ASV)

As I turn from my window, I find an empty calendar reminding me of the ways life does change. Memories of what used to be, and time shared with my husband Bill can flood me with regrets and sadness. A new year ahead added to this winter landscape of life requires strategies to navigate and find direction and purpose to fill those empty January days.

Our trust in the Lord builds as we find light in His word.

“The righteous cry and the Lord hears,
And delivers them out of all their troubles.
The Lord is near to the brokenhearted,
And saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
Psalm 34:17-18 (NASV)

Time passes, and seasons come and go. God’s eternity provides a stunning contrast to our temporary. Everything is always changing from the moment we arrive on earth until the time arrives for us to depart. Yet God does not change. He is unchanging and eternal.

God provides Hope when we are pressed by life’s pain.

When we find ourselves struggling from the impact of loss, we turn to the model Jesus provides of how to endure the dark days of life. The Savior experienced His own place of anguish. Jesus was totally abandoned by His disciples. That loneliness combined with anticipation and fear of impending pain and death pressed down on Him. While praying at Gethsemane even drops of sweat and blood began to flow from His brow.

Jesus was squeezed emotionally and physically.

He prayed knowing the moments ahead were overwhelming. Those He loved and trusted most, His disciples, went with Him to pray. Jesus found a place to be alone with God and shared His heart, His needs, and His desires. He prayed for God’s will to be done, and He prayed repeatedly.

Jesus knows and understands what we are feeling and loves us. Applying His example to battles, we can confront the emotional and difficult moments we face. Sharing with friends or family we see how the Lord provides the support, and love we need as we journey through grief.

We need to continue to pray with faith as we trust in God’s sovereignty.

Lord, we cannot change the path facing us in the year ahead. Give us the ability to change our perspective. Give us support as we lean into You for the rest of this season. Help us face each day remembering the truth of Your word. As we confront discouragement or disappointment, provide support and clarity for a new focus. Give us the grace to remember the example of Jesus as we face this new year. Remind us of Your love and Your presence. Amen.