Baby It’s Cold Outside!

Repeatedly coming to mind this week is a simple line from a song. “Baby it’s cold outside” surely applies to the weather right now in southeastern Wisconsin. Single digits both above and below zero have graced the last few days in our area. On top of that a few inches of light snow have arrived. Even the bright sunny day is quite cold.
As I open the back door for the dogs to go outside, Kari reaches the threshold of the door and looks up at me as if to sing, “Mommy it's cold outside!” She did not want to cross that threshold into the cold weather. When she did go outside, she did her business and came immediately back in. Beamer, on the other hand, bounded through the doors and decided to explore and play outside awhile before he returned in the house. Beamer has a far thicker coat of fur and is more adapted to dealing with the cold weather. Kari, whose short hair is very fine, is not equipped to face this type of weather, much less enjoy it.
Do you ever feel as though you are not able to accomplish what a Christian brother or sister find so easy? Is it as though you struggle through, fully depending on the grace of God, while another seems to thrive under the pressure a certain circumstance may present? We all have strengths and weaknesses. Each of us is uniquely created by God and given grace for each and every situation in life. We are encouraged to boldly ask for this grace. “Let us then fearlessly and confidently and boldly draw near to the throne of grace (the throne of God's unmerited favor to us sinners), that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find grace to help in good time for every need [appropriate help and well-timed help, coming just when we need it].” (Hebrews 4:16 AMP) Grace is our help in every situation. Sometimes the need may be greater and always the grace will be enough for whatever we need exactly when we need it.
We have all been given different personalities, temperaments and gifts by Almighty God. “Having gifts (faculties, talents, qualities) that differ according to the grace given us, let us use them:” (Romans 12:6a AMP) Through the wisdom and power of the Holy Spirit, we are given these abilities for good. “But to each one is given the manifestation of the [Holy] Spirit [the evidence, the spiritual illumination of the Spirit] for good and profit.” (1 Corinthians 12:7 AMP) Since each of us act from a different set of gifts we will be strong in some areas and weaker in others. Because our gifts vary, another will be strong in the area where we are weak. Together, the body of Christ is a mighty force.
Comparing ourselves to others is never good. If we see another who is stronger we will not see our own God-given value. If we look at a situation where we have a strength we may become prideful, viewing ourselves as superior to the one who is weaker. The apostle Paul addressed this. “However, when they measure themselves with themselves and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding and behave unwisely.” (2 Corinthians 10:12b AMP) This type of comparison is actually foolishness.
With a little encouragement, Kari made that trip outside in the bitter, cold weather. By the grace of God, we can accomplish even difficult things. “I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ's sufficiency].” (Philippians 4:13 AMP) This does not mean everything will be easy or pleasant, but we will have the strength we need exactly when we need it.
At other times we will be the ones who are more comfortable in a situation. In summer, when the temperatures rise, Kari can withstand the heat far better than Beamer. His thick coat now makes it difficult to stay too long in the sun on a hot day, yet Kari’s short, fine coat allow her to enjoy the warm, fresh air. During times of our strength, we can help our brothers and sisters. “As each of you has received a gift (a particular spiritual talent, a gracious divine endowment), employ it for one another as [befits] good trustees of God's many-sided grace [faithful stewards of the extremely diverse powers and gifts granted to Christians by unmerited favor].” (1 Peter 4:10 AMP) All of our gifts and abilities are by God’s grace, anyway.
Kari was not required to stay outside any longer than necessary, just as Beamer is allowed into the cool house on those hot summer days. God gives us strength to accomplish what is required of us and He will also provide respite. The Lord is fully aware of our weakness and compassionate to us. “For He knows our frame, He [earnestly] remembers and imprints [on His heart] that we are dust.” (Psalm 103:14 AMP)

If you feel that you are facing something that is too big, or that others seem better equipped to handle, face it today in the grace and power of the Holy Spirit.