Wishing the Winter Blues Away | Part One

As the snow falls outside my window, I can’t help but feel a sense of peace. I know snow can be triggering for some, as many are not fans of winter. However, there is something about it that brings calm. Now, don’t get me wrong. I don’t love driving in the snow, or the slush making my shoes and the bottom of my pants wet. But sitting inside watching the giant fluffy flakes fall is memorizing.

Recently, I stumbled upon an Instagram post about snow’s beauty. The author of the post, Dave Adamson, said this:

“Have you ever wanted a sign from God? Well, if you live in the northern hemisphere, and you’re used to getting snow in the winter, then you get a regular reminder of God’s presence. You see, before the time of Jesus, God’s people have believed that snow symbolized the grace of God—and that snow only fell in winter to remind people of His presence.”

I remember the first time I read this. I had just received some bad news and was feeling hopeless. In my despair, I opened Instagram to aimlessly scroll, and there this post was. And in a true movie moment, as soon as I finished reading it, I looked outside, and it was snowing. That was the first moment I connected that feeling of peace snow brought me to feeling God’s presence.

I share this story with you because sometimes, the winter season can bring about feelings of loneliness. You can be at a Christmas celebration filled with people, yet the joy this season is supposed to bring just isn’t there.  For many, winter doesn’t just bring cold weather—it brings what I would call a kind of “emotional frost.” Whether it’s due to shorter days, a loss we’re grieving, or unmet expectations for what the Christmas season should be, the “winter blues” are very real.

But here’s the good news: we don’t have to stay stuck in that place. God is present even in the coldest, darkest seasons of our lives. And sometimes, He sends gentle reminders of His love—like the quiet beauty of falling snow—to show us that He’s near.

In the Bible, snow is often used as a symbol of God’s purity and grace. Isaiah 1:18 says, “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.” What a beautiful promise. God’s forgiveness covers us completely, just like a fresh snowfall covers the imperfections of the ground beneath it.

God’s grace has the power to transform. He can take our brokenness and make us whole. He can take our despair and give us hope. And He can turn our winter blues into moments of stillness and peace if we let Him. As I think about my winter blues, I think it is important that we collectively find ways to invite God into our winter season. Here are two ways that I think we can begin to do that.

1️⃣ Embrace the Stillness

Winter naturally invites us to slow down. The busyness of fall fades, and the world around us seems to pause. Instead of resisting this stillness, lean into it. Use the extra time indoors to spend more time with God. Read His Word, journal your prayers, or simply sit in silence, asking Him to meet you where you are. Psalm 46:10 reminds us, “Be still, and know that I am God.” Stillness isn’t just an absence of noise—it’s an opportunity to connect with the Father.

2️⃣ Find God’s Grace in Nature

Like Dave’s Instagram post reminded me, snow can be a tangible reminder of God’s presence. But it doesn’t have to stop there. Look for His fingerprints in the world around you—in the way the sunlight sparkles on ice, the crispness of the air, or even the warmth of a cozy blanket on a cold day. Creation is one of the ways God reveals Himself to us (Romans 1:20). Let nature point you back to Him.

As you navigate this season, remember it’s okay to feel what you’re feeling. You don’t have to fake joy or pretend everything is perfect. But don’t forget that God is with you, even amid your struggles. The snow outside your window might not fix your problems, but it can remind you of a God who sees you, loves you, and offers you peace that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7).

Instead of wishing the blues away this winter, let’s invite God into them. Let’s ask Him to transform our heaviness into hope and our loneliness into His loving presence. Stay tuned for Part Two, where we’ll dive deeper into finding joy and purpose even in the coldest of seasons. For now, take a moment to pause, and when you look out the window and snow is falling, let it remind you that you are not alone.