1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
January and February are the hardest months of the year for me. The anxiety starts in November, builds up in December and by January 1st, I am paralyzed by the fear of freezing temperatures, snow covered landscapes and icy roads. The Winter months plunge me into this deep abyss of fear that only Spring and warmer weather can pull me out of. I paid my daughter to take me and pick me up from work one Saturday, when we woke up to 5 or so inches of snow. The next Saturday, I drove to work but conditions deteriorated during the day and I was frozen with the fear of having to drive home in blowing snow and icy roads. God heard my silent prayer and my youngest daughter picked me up and took me back the next day to get my car when the roads were better. I trembled when I woke up to -9 degree temperatures, frozen car doors and had to go to work. I am absolutely TERRIFIED of Winter! It has been a annual struggle for me for 26 years now and as a native Southern Californian I am ready for warmer Winters!
I know what you are thinking! How can a God-trusting woman allow fear to paralyze her to a level of not being able to even function? I’m not perfect. I struggle with issues just as everyone else does. My struggle with fear keeps me running to God for help, mercy and grace. These verses in 1 Thessalonians sums up how I get through the Winter:
- Rejoice Always – In the middle of my fear, I rejoice that God is ALL Powerful and ALWAYS in control. I rejoice that I am protected. I rejoice that God knows my struggle and calms my heart with a sense of His peace in the eye of the storm. This is not always an easy thing for me to do. I admit, I usually have to force myself to rejoice in God’s goodness when I am held in the grip of fear. It isn’t always easy to remember that God has EVERYTHING under control. Even when things feel out of control, God is with us ALWAYS and for that we rejoice!
- Pray Continually – I pray my way through January and February, one day at a time, each Winter storm as it comes. I keep an eye on my weather apps and pray for God’s intervention and protection. God expects us to pray without ceasing. That line of communication is always open. He will always listen when we pray.
- Give Thanks in ALL Circumstances – How do you give thanks in ALL circumstances? It isn’t easy! During these past two months, I have thanked God for daughters who were willing to take their anxiety ridden mom back and forth to work. I have thanked God for protection when I actually did have to drive myself. I have thanked God for calming my fears and giving me courage. I have thanked God for not being to frustrated with me in my occasional unbelief and having mercy on me in my suffering. We give thanks because we know that no matter what the world throws at us, God can handle it and that means that we can handle it. We give thanks because it is often in the eye of the storm that we see God’s power. It is often in the eye of the storm that miracles happen. It is often in the eye of the storm that God’s mighty wings provide refuge and safety, sheltering us from flying debris and negative thoughts and for that we give thanks!
If you have found yourself in the eye of the storm and are paralyzed by your circumstances:
Rejoice in WHO GOD IS
Pray continually to a God WHO IS ALWAYS LISTENING
Give thanks to a God WHO SHOWS UP IN MIGHTY AND POWERFUL WAYS
God is with you ALWAYS! Never doubt His love for you! He can and will protect you, even in the worst of life’s struggles!
Patti Burris 
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