My Lord, there are times when my soul experiences its own wintery melancholy. Times when my heart freezes over and my thoughts chill me toward unbelief. It is in those moments, that long, seemingly unending, season, that I need to nestle up to the cozy fires of Your Word. I need to be reminded of Your faithfulness, Lord God, even when my own has been smitten by the frost of affliction. Jesus, the assurance of Your love is the only thing that can thaw me out. If I must endure such a season, let me know without doubt that it is because You have purposed it for the growth of my soul. For every cold snap of tribulation nips the bud of unrealistic expectation so that it does not bloom into entitlement unbefitting an ambassador of Your Kingdom. When Your mighty hand scatters the frost across the landscape of my soul, blanketing my joy with melancholic glistening, it is because I was in danger of rooting my joy in the things of this world. How blessed am I that You would send such as this to prevent weeds of misplaced happiness from ruining the garden of faith waiting for spring to come again. When freezing rains of sickness or heaviness of spirit come upon me, it is because You wish to demolish the noxious atmosphere of self-focus permeating my soul. Let there be no room for pity within my heart. Every affliction that befalls me will only strengthen me if I turn it over to you in the constancy of prayer which becomes an umbrella in the storm. Lord God, enable me to weather this current season. Break up the clouds that darken me from within. Let Your light shine through Your Word into me. Rid me of the clouds of worldly influence until the soil of my heart is sweetened and planted with new seeds ready to grow when the springtime at last comes round again. When warmth of Your love overcomes the coldness of my present circumstances, my heart rejoices. Let me look forward to that day upon the horizon. For it will come by Your faithfulness. The changing seasons of creation are evidence of that truth. In hope I cling to You, my Savior, as I am warmed by the fires of Your truth and the light of Your great promises. Under the glory of the Word in Romans 5:3-5 and the authority of Christ Jesus I bow in humble prayer.

And not only this, but we also celebrate in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
Romans 5:3-5, NASB