Winter of the Soul
Cold covers the earth. She has seeped under every rock and crevasse and is trying her best to make her way through my front door and windows. She is staying, not budging nor moving on soon. She has blanketed the barren trees with her companion, the snow. Branches stretch like bony hands into the sky to receive them both.
Winter has not only moved outside my window, but is trying to claim souls, even my own. A deep desire for authentic love leaves many hearts longing. Wickedness and evil move in like frost and nurture doubt in an almighty and powerful God. Discontentment breathes over us like a harsh wind over a frozen lake in January. The enemy thrives. His cold deceptions aim to kill and destroy. With constant discouragement he tries to render us useless.
“Father,
help me to overcome my apathy.
Teach me how to prevail over my sinful desire
for constant comfort.
Give me Your Word of Truth,
namely, Jesus Christ.
Help me to share it with this cold world.
Help me to rely on Your strength to move me out of my lethargy.
Light my heart on fire with Your nearness,
compassion, hope and love.
Fuel me with a desire to live a holy life.
Drive out the winter of our souls –
set Your Church on fire, God.”
Is not my word like fire, declares the Lord,
and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?
Jeremiah 23:29 (ESV)
~~~
(Pictures – Heidi Viars, 2014
Text revised, Heidi Viars, 2012)
Heidi Viars 
Although I’m crazy about snowy forest photos (yours are awesome!), I can’t handle cold weather. If it’s below 30 degrees, then I sleep with my jacket and boots on. Wonderful post and prayer!
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That’s hilarious 🙂 Thanks for stopping in!
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I really picked up on the “help me” and “teach me”. I’d call that great advice. Nicely done! It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance.
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Thank you, Servant! Blessings on your journey with Him. I am looking forward to reading more at your blog!
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Thank you for the reminder…his word is the answer/fire for the cold!
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Thank you, Patty. You are an encouragement … and your blog is too!!!
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You’ve touched my heart again, Heidi, with your beautiful prose. I also pray for the fire of God’s nearness, compassion, hope, and love. And may sparks be used by the Holy Spirit to ignite souls around me. Let me burn with courage, Lord!
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Thank you, Nancy. His nearness is our good. Let’s pray we continue to obey the Spirit as He leads us to speak of Christ to those around us and in doing so, bring the only real hope. Blessings to you, Nancy!
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Well, the cold has succeeded in making it through the front door and windows. It’s 54 degrees in here as I type this. Water heater has gone out,, too, as well as the furnace.. But that’s better than the minus 2 it is outside right now with about 2-3 feet of snow on the ground! It’s beautiful, though, with the sun shining on its pristine whiteness. Reminds me of Isaiah 1:18, “though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be white as snow.” Our filthy sins have been cleansed and taken away by the blood of Christ and we have been covered by the dazzling righteousness of Christ. Though nothing in ourselves, we are beautiful in and through Him.
Blessings to you today.
Stay warm! 🙂
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I pray you won’t have to endure this cold for long and your furnace will actually work soon. Yes, Christ is our only righteousness. Yes, it is only in Jesus we have the hope of heaven and are acceptable to our God. Thanks for your visit and kind comment. Stay warm!
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The Spirit’s fire shines through like summer, melting winter, just as light shines through darkness, and light always overcomes darkness, just as warmth always overcomes winter. Absolutely lovely, Heidi.
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Amen, Susan! Thanks for visiting and commenting! Warm and Holy Spirit filled blessings to you ~
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Gorgeous images and powerful analogy.
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Thank you, Rene, for your visit … stay warm (especially by staying close to the Spirit)
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Awesome Heidi. And nothing warms like a fire!
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And nothing like Holy Spirit fire 🙂 Blessings to you, Sue!
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😀
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This is a beautiful post and prayer, Heidi. It gave me goosebumps — and not because of the snow.
Blessings ~ Wendy
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Thanks so much, Wendy! Your comments are warm blessings to me 🙂
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Amen to this post, Sweet Heidi. So many I know are feeling the cold of winter both outside and inside their hearts. We need to be warming ourselves with the Lord’s love and His word.
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Amen, sister. Keep shining that light in your world, dear one! He is doing His work though us for His glory! Lot’s of love your way!
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And the first thing my eye was drawn to was the cross, first photo, centre right. Amen to your prayer Heidi xxx
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You amaze me, Liana! I had not even noticed … Thank you for your encouragement to see Jesus … no matter where we are!!! You are a precious blessing 🙂
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Heidi – love the photos – love the poem – one of my favorite verses – I pray the fire of God’s word drives ways the soul winter and sets you blazing this day!
Blessings – Ben
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I was debating to use Jeremiah 20:9 ….
If I say, “I will not mention him,
or speak any more in his name,”
there is in my heart as it were a burning fire
shut up in my bones,
and I am weary with holding it in,
and I cannot.”
Let is start with us and then spread that revival fire to His Church, Ben … too much is at stake!
Thanks for you kind comment!
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Amen – Yes Lord!
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Reblogged this on By the Mighty Mumford and commented:
AMEN…REVIVE US, OH LORD!!!!
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