THOUGHTFUL THINGS
Even in Winter, God Brings Growth
Winter is a season often associated with stillness, cold, and the appearance of lifelessness. Trees stand bare, the air grows sharp, and the ground becomes hard beneath our feet. Yet even in the quiet chill of winter, God is at work. What looks dormant is often only preparing for new life. Nature itself preaches a sermon: growth doesn’t always happen in warm, easy seasons. Sometimes, the greatest strengthening takes place in the cold.
Ecclesiastes 3:1 reminds us, “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.” Winter has a purpose. It slows things down. It brings rest. It allows roots to grow deeper beneath the surface. When the branches are bare, the roots are busy. In the same way, God often uses our “winter seasons” of life—times that feel cold, quiet, or difficult—to deepen our faith and strengthen us spiritually.
In nature, seeds that fall to the ground in autumn spend the entire winter hidden. They endure frost, snow, and darkness. But scientists note that many seeds require the cold to break open, activate growth, and prepare to sprout in spring. Without winter, the seed would remain unchanged. How powerful is it to realize that the discomfort of cold seasons is sometimes the exact condition needed for growth?
God speaks this truth spiritually as well. In Hosea 6:3, the Bible says, “Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the Lord: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain.” Rain, snow, and winter weather are not signs of abandonment—they are signs of preparation. God is producing something beneath the surface, even when we cannot yet see the results.
Psalm 1 describes the faithful believer as a tree planted by rivers of water, “that bringeth forth his fruit in his season” (Psalm 1:3). Fruit does not grow every month of the year. Trees have seasons of fruitfulness and seasons of quiet. But in both, they remain planted, nourished, and growing. Your winter season may not look fruitful, but it can be deeply formative. Moreover, God promises that winter itself is a sign of His faithfulness. In Genesis 8:22, He declares, “While the earth remaineth… cold and heat, summer and winter… shall not cease.” Winter reminds us that God is still in control, still sustaining, and still moving toward the promises of spring.
So if you find yourself in a winter season, take heart. What feels cold is not a sign of death—it’s a sign of deep growth. Beneath the surface, God is expanding your roots, strengthening your foundation, and preparing you for a season of new life. Trust Him, even in the cold, for He makes all things grow in His perfect time.
We invite you to visit us at The Family Church, 9456 Hwy 146 N, Hardin, TX. You can watch our services live via Facebook at @tfchardin.