What Winter Reveals About God’s Character
I’m partial to the colder months. Often, people look at summer beaches or spring landscapes and see God’s hand in creation, but winter should not be overlooked. Winter slows the world and invites quiet reflection. Let’s take a look at what winter can teach us about God, especially when life feels dormant.
Observing Winter in Scripture and Nature
The winter season looks different all around the world, but typically it brings some combination of snow, rain, sleet, or cooler temperatures. Ecclesiastes 3:1 reminds us that there is a season for everything, and winter is no exception. In this post, we will explore some classic winter symbols to see how God’s character is reflected in the season itself. Even if your area does not experience much snow or frost, we see these images in Scripture and in the ways God works in the natural world.
Summer and Winter in the Bible
Scripture often highlights two main seasons: summer and winter. Spring and fall appear in imagery, such as flowers blooming or harvests coming in, but summer and winter are emphasized. The contrast between them, growth and dormancy, warmth and cold, helps us notice God’s wisdom, care, and timing as He works in every season.
Lessons from Winter: God’s Character in the Season
There is something about winter that calls us to stop and pay attention. Usually we see the season in negative ways, but even in the cold and stillness, we can see God at work. Let’s take a glimpse of how His character is displayed throughout this quiet season.
1. Provision and Care
Isaiah 55:10-11
When I think about what brings us water, I usually picture rain. Snow never really crossed my mind as something that helps meet that need. But it does. It settles quietly, rests for a while, and then melts into the streams, rivers, and lakes that support life. Even in winter, when everything looks still, God is still providing for His creation.
It reminds me that His care never pauses. Seasons can feel slow or even heavy, but God is always working in ways we do not immediately see. His Word does this in our lives too. Paul tells us in 1 Thessalonians 2:13 that the Word of God is alive and at work in those who believe. It nourishes our hearts, strengthens our faith, and keeps us going when we feel a little emptied out.
Winter may look quiet, but God is always giving what is needed. His provision and care reach us in every season.
2. Purity and Holiness
Psalm 51:7, Isaiah 1:18
I love the beauty of freshly fallen snow, especially when the sunlight hits it just right. Everything looks bright, white, and clean, almost as if the world has been gently reset. Scripture uses this snow imagery to help us understand what God does in us through Christ. Our lives are stained by sin, but God takes what is dark and makes it beautifully new. The Scriptures remind us that we are washed clean, and show how God can make even the deepest stains white as snow.
It reminds me that His holiness is the source of our holiness. Only through His Son Jesus can we be made clean and pure. 1 Peter 1:15–16 reminds us to be holy as He is holy. His work in our lives transforms us, shaping our hearts and actions to reflect His perfect and pure character.
3. Wisdom
Psalm 74:17
For many, winter is not the most cherished season. But the all-wise God created every season, and winter is included in that perfect design. He knows what is best for creation and what seasons are needed to sustain life and make the earth habitable. Genesis 8:22 reminds us that as long as the earth remains, there will always be seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, day and night, every season under His wise care.
I’m learning not to complain when the cold wind blows. Instead, I try to notice the small joys it allows, like the opportunity to curl up under a cozy, fluffy blanket. Even in the harshness of winter, God’s wisdom is at work, providing balance, order, and the chance to pause and rest in His care.
4. Power and Might
Psalm 147:16–18
Winter reveals God’s power and might in ways we can see and appreciate. Psalm 147:16–18 shows how He spreads snow like wool and scatters frost like ashes. Verse 17 reminds us that His word controls even the most extreme elements of winter, and verse 18 tells us He sends His word to melt the snow, guiding the seasons according to His will. His strength and awe-inspiring might are clearly displayed in the rhythm and force of the cold season.
We see this same power and might in Jesus. Hebrews 1:3 reminds us that He sustains all things by His powerful word. Just as winter follows God’s command, everything in creation obeys His authority, showing that His power and might are steady, intentional, and unmatched.
5. Sovereignty
Job 37:6–13
There is nothing like a good blizzard to remind us that God is in control. He quiets the earth, He sends the winds, and He can pause the work of creation at His will. Winter shows us that nothing happens outside of His plan. Snow falls, frost spreads, and even the fiercest storms obey His command. Everything in creation, every movement, every season, is under His sovereignty.
Romans 11:36 reminds us that everything comes from Him, through Him, and exists for Him. Winter makes this truth visible. When the world seems paused or even harsh, we can trust that God is orchestrating every detail with perfect authority and purpose.
6. Mercy and Compassion
Song of Solomon 2:11–12
The beauty of winter is that it causes us to slow down. The land rests, our activities pause, and even the busiest among us are invited to be still. For some, this may feel like a damper on life, but it is needed both physically and spiritually. Winter is a season of mercy and compassion from God. It refreshes, restores, and prepares the earth and our hearts for the seasons to come.
The quiet and stillness remind us that God comforts and cares for His creation. 2 Corinthians 1:3–4 tells us that He is the God of all comfort, who comforts us in our troubles so that we can comfort others with the same compassion. Just as winter eventually gives way to warmer days, gentle rains, and blooming fields, God’s mercy brings renewal and hope. It is a season to rest in His care, receive His compassion, and be reminded of His tender love.
Finding Beauty in Winter
Winter may not always feel inviting, but it holds a quiet and unique beauty. Even in the coldest winds, the snow, or the stillest days, God’s character is revealed through Jesus, showing His care, wisdom, power, and mercy at work in creation. When the weather feels harsh or life seems slowed, pause for a moment and notice how He sustains the world and shapes the season. Even if your winter is mild, the calm, the stillness, and the rhythm of life around you can be reminders of His gentle presence and faithful care.
Winter reveals God’s care. See it more clearly in 30 Powerful Verses That Illuminate the Love of God.
Hi, I’m Dana, the voice behind Exhortations for Today. I’m a grandmother called Nonna, a home cook, and an aspiring quilter. I believe in the power of God’s Word to recharge and renew the weary soul. Here, I share devotionals, Bible study tips, and reflections on living a faith-filled life. Want to learn more about my journey? Read more about me here.
