The Winter months can feel very tough (not to mention cold) and for some a tremendous struggle. But deep down, we all know that spring follows winter and new life IS on the way – not just for nature but in faith we believe for us.
The whole of the Bible is based around God’s love for the world and His desire to renew and to restore: our natural world, our sometimes-strained relationships and our sense of well-being.
The prophet Isaiah said: “Those who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength – they will rise on wings like eagles” – What a beautiful image – picture in your minds-eye an eagle in flight – a wonderful sight.
There are many people offering good help and advice but God’s love for those of us who believe is our security, our inspiration and our spur: to help us know God’s strength, to inspire us to be courageous in the face of tough times and to challenge us out of any complacency we may feel.
In faith, we believe we are NOT on our own – that God is for us and with us and even that He goes ahead of us.
God wants to guide us personally but also in our families, in our community groups and organisations to be a blessing to others. How do we engage with this love of God?
We engage with God by talking to Him, listening to Him and crucially reading the Bible- through its pages, God is able to speak words of encouragement and wisdom.
Our Christian faith is not an insurance policy against difficult things happening to us. It is a relationship with our loving God who does know and understand our hopes and our fears, our joys and our sorrows and who wants passionately to help us face, meet and overcome those things that weigh us down.
If you would welcome the opportunity to talk about this – please get in touch.
Peter Chantry
