Keeping a Warm Heart When Chilled to the Bone

Chilled to the bone. Not being a winter girl by any means, warm and balmy conditions are my top pick.

But in my neck of the woods, a blanket of frigid temperatures paid another visit in the last few weeks.

For me, wintertime consists of warm blankets, hot chocolate, hoodies, and fuzzy socks. These comfy-cozy friends become my BFF’s in cold weather.

Would You Rather

At church, we sometimes play the game, Would You Rather. Participants must pick one choice between two. Choices presented are often both good or bad, yet there’s no straddling the fence. Would you rather be hot or cold? 

So when it comes to preferring temperatures in the 90’s or 2 degrees Fahrenheit, with windchill under 0, I pick 90 degrees every time.

My husband? Not so much. Mike and I battle in the thermostat war—they say opposites attract. Normally cold, I crank up the heat pump. Hot natured, Mike likes the inside air set on 65-68. Even cooler during the summer.

Stay Warm

My number one goal remains to stay warm.

And my two beloved dogs take after their female owner and mama. Yours truly. Venturing outside with Sadie and Big-T for doggy business, shows how actions speak louder than barks.

I watch as short-legged dogs attempt trotting higher than feasible to escape snow and ice. Outdoor trips where they once lingered for play time, end in a matter of moments. But for this, my fingers and toes are grateful.

Dog-whisperer doesn’t appear on my resume. Yet, I know the message my dogs send. Brrr. Hurry, let’s get back inside to our beds for a long winter’s nap.

Oh, yes, dogs after my own heart.

Cold Winds Stir

But…

[bctt tweet=”As cold winds stir outside my window, my #heart often stirs with the cold parts of #life.” username=”inspireafire”]

I’m. Chilled. To. The. Bone. Why? Because we live in bone-chilling days, my friends. Hearts turned cold toward our fellow man.

We see a lack of kindness and love—downright hate for our neighbors—across the globe. Even social media showcases this frosty display.

And what’s worse? Human hearts turn bone-chilling and indifferent toward their Creator.

Warm or Cold-hearted

You see, a worldview has set in bringing an icy, cold-hearted assault on the family unit, the sanctity of marriage, and Christian beliefs.

A full blown cultural war has arrived in everyone’s neck of the woods.

[bctt tweet=”Cold hearts always beat off #rhythm to what the #God of the universe intended. @FridayKaren” username=”inspireafire”]

While warm, fuzzy feelings never define the Christian’s journey, gone are the days we expect it.

So what’s a believer to do?

It’s one thing to keep our bodies warm in wintry conditions.

It’s a another thing to keep warm spirits—our hearts warm to the gospel and God’s love—among shivery conditions.

In Matthew 24, Jesus discusses signs of the end time. His description includes troubled times and people: deceptions about God, wars and rumors of wars, nations rising against nations, earthquakes, famine, and many sorrows.

“And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.” (verse 12, NKJV)

Kindled Love and Warm Hearts

I don’t know about you, but I intend to protect my heart from growing cold. The world continues on a troubled path. Yet we hold the choice to continue on God’s path where Christ remains our top pick.

I would rather warm my heart and kindle my love at the feet of Jesus, than to endure life’s sorrows out in the bleak cold.

And when it comes to spiritual matters, I cease to befriend comfy-and-cozy attitudes. Instead, I pray to “inspire a fire” of warmth and godliness over the family unit, marriage God’s way, biblical principals, and the gospel message of Jesus Christ.

*Images are of my dogs and a snow scene at my house in East Tennessee. Image text and design created in Adobe Spark.