“See! The winter is past; the rains are over and gone. Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come.”

- Song of Solomon 2:11–12

I love fall. I love everything about it. The cooler temperatures, the decorations. It is the start of the holiday season. However, after New Year’s, we venture into several months when everything outside is dead, and there aren’t many holidays to celebrate until Easter. I don’t like it. These months and this season are when everything feels and is dormant.

Trees lose their leaves, flowers disappear, and the grass turns brown. Days get shorter, with less daylight. Somehow, the world seems quieter. If you only looked at the landscape during winter, you might assume nothing was happening. But… underneath the soil, something is taking place. Roots grow, and seeds prepare. Life is waiting!

Winter doesn't mean spring isn't coming. It simply means spring isn't here yet. Our lives have seasons like that. There are times when we feel like nothing is happening. We wait, pray, and question. Maybe you've been in a spiritual winter. You've prayed, but you don't feel God's presence. You’ve worked hard but don’t see any fruit from your labor. You hoped your circumstances would change, but nothing has.

It's tempting to assume that because you can't see growth, there must not be any. But God often does His deepest work beneath the surface. Think about a seed. If you dug it up every few days to see whether it was growing, you'd interfere with the very process you're waiting for. Some things require us to trust what we cannot see. That's what faith is. We don't always see the roots or the changes God is working in our lives and our character. But winter doesn’t last, and it isn’t your identity.

Scripture tells us in 2 Corinthians 5:17: "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come". Your current circumstances are not your whole story, and this barren season doesn't mean God has abandoned you. It may mean something is growing where you can't see it yet and spring is coming.

While we don't know when the healing will come, when the door will open, or when the answer will arrive, we do know God is at work, and we can trust Him—because we know the character of the One who holds the seasons.

And He is faithful. 

Prayer: Jesus, when life feels dormant, help me remember that You are still working. Give me patience in the winter and hope for the spring. Help me trust that when I can’t see the growth, You are growing me as I lean into trusting You more deeply. Amen. Amen.  

With Love,
Sherry Shepherd

Sometimes we are so focused on surviving a season that we don't notice when God begins inviting us into something new.

Maybe your winter has been a season of waiting. Maybe it has been marked by disappointment, uncertainty, grief, or simply feeling stuck. And maybe you're beginning to notice little signs that something is changing.

Before you rush past them, pause.

Give yourself space to ask God what He has been growing in you during this season—and where He may be inviting you to arise, come closer, and step forward in faith.

Let these journal prompts help you slow down and listen.  

Journal & Reflect 

• What “winter season” are you currently walking through—or have you recently walked through?
• Where are you beginning to see signs of growth, healing, beauty, or renewal?
• What might God be asking you to leave behind as you enter a new season? 

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Song of Solomon 2:11–12 mean?

These verses use the arrival of spring as a picture of renewal. The winter has passed, flowers are appearing, and a new season has arrived. For believers, the imagery can remind us that difficult seasons do not last forever and that God can bring new life and growth in His timing.

What does “the winter is past” mean spiritually?

It can represent moving from a season of waiting, hardship, or dormancy into a season of renewal and growth. It doesn't mean every difficult circumstance disappears overnight. Rather, it reminds us to watch for God's work and remain open to where He is leading us.

What if I don't feel like my winter is ending?

That's okay. Not every new season is immediately obvious. Sometimes God is working beneath the surface before we see visible evidence of change. You can continue trusting Him while honestly bringing your disappointment, questions, and hopes to Him.

How do I know if God is calling me into a new season?

Pay attention to what God is revealing through Scripture, prayer, wise counsel, circumstances, and the desires He is developing in your heart. A new season may involve growth, healing, a new opportunity, deeper faith, or simply a new way of seeing your current circumstances.

How can journaling help me recognize spiritual growth?

Journaling gives you a place to slow down and notice what you might otherwise overlook. Recording prayers, Scripture, questions, and moments of gratitude allows you to look back and see how God has been working over time.  

Prayer 

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for being with me through every season.

When I am in a winter season, help me trust that You are still working—even when I cannot see it. Give me patience in the waiting and eyes to recognize the first signs of new life.

When You invite me to arise and step forward, give me courage to say yes.

Help me release what You are asking me to leave behind and receive the new things You are doing with an open heart. Remind me that I am deeply loved by You and that I never have to earn Your affection.

Teach me to trust Your timing, follow Your invitation, and find joy in the season You are leading me into.  

In Jesus' name,
Amen

Message from Kara

There are seasons when it feels like nothing is changing.

We wait. We wonder. We pray. And sometimes we begin to question whether the season we're in will ever end.

But I love the picture in Song of Solomon 2:11–12 because it reminds us to look again. The winter has passed. The flowers are beginning to appear. Something new is happening.

Maybe you are closer to a new season than you realize.

My prayer for you today is that you'll trust God in the waiting, recognize the small signs of His work, and have the courage to respond when He calls you to arise and step forward.

Whatever season you're in, remember this: God is with you in the winter—and He is faithful when spring comes.

With love ,  
Kara 🤍 

Applying this to your Daily Routine

Take time to reflect, pray, and process what God is teaching you through every season. Our Personalized Prayer Journal was designed to help you grow deeper in faith—one day at a time–turning intention into habit. Many people use journals to revisit verses like these and reflect throughout the week.

👉 Explore Personalized Scripture Products at www.papersunday.com

Today's devotional pairs beautifully with the Coral Personalized Scripture Journal

If you want to grow deeper in your daily life and reflection, these devotionals can help:

Daily Devotional • Psalm 100:4 • Enter His Presence With Gratitude

Daily Devotional • Song of Songs 2:10-12 • A Season of New Beginnings