Winter of my Discontent?

Southeast Texas received what is probably the winter of 2012-2013's last blast this morning. Does it bring discontent to my heart? No! It delays our main season which is HOT for a few days. The Pansies I planted in my yard last November seem thrilled with it too. However judging from Facebook posts, I am in the minority around my little town.

Many times our emotions are influenced by life's circumstances, the weather, a person driving their car slowly in the fast lane, a baby's laughter, time spent with a precious friend, a phone call, a flood, a terrorist's bomb exploding at the finish line of a marathon. Our emotions can become a roller coaster ride if we let them.

One constant we can depend on is the Lord. When life is hard, we must continue to press into the Word and pray. If we are exhausted, we must ask our friends to carry us in prayer as the paralytic's friends carried him to Jesus. The night of the Boston bombing and then again the night the fertilizer plant exploded in West, Texas I had trouble sleeping. My heart ached for the victims of both incidents. Thankfully I could dwell on Scripture I sowed into my heart which helped me sleep. It is never too late to begin memorizing Scripture. Below are a few of the verses I memorized as my dad was hospitalized for 11.5 months in 2008:

PS 29:11 NIV The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace.

Phil 4:8 NIV Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

PS 19:1-3 NIV The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge. 3 They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them.

Remember He will never leave us or forsake us!