Be honest. If you have been shoveling and rescheduling because of the snow you have been tempted to complain. But here in between storms lets just briefly stop and think about what it would mean to complain about the weather. When it comes down to it, snow storms can reveal much about our hearts:
First, snow storms can reveal if we deny that God is in control or they reveal that we are grumbling against God discontent with how He has ordained things. Actually, God is in control so deny it or not, if we complain about the snow we are complaining against God. Very clearly Scripture teaches God has control of the weather. The snow comes in submission to His plan.
Jonah 1:4 The LORD hurled a great wind on the sea and there was a great storm on the sea so that the ship was about to break up.
James 5:17-18 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the earth for three years and six months. 18 Then he prayed again, and the sky poured rain and the earth produced its fruit.
Second, snow storms can reveal who we believe to be wiser, ourselves or God. If God is in control and we are complaining about the weather then we are in essence saying that if we were in control we would do it better. Are we willing to place ourselves in that position before this God? That would not seem to be very wise of us to do so.
Isaiah 40:25 “To whom then will you liken Me That I would be his equal?” says the Holy One.
Isaiah 40:28 Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth Does not become weary or tired. His understanding is inscrutable.
Third,snow storms can reveal that we are not thankful people. A thankful person is someone who does not complain but considers all the reasons to be thankful. We are commanded to be thankful.
Ephesians 5:20 always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father;
Fourth, snow storms can reveal that we are not a light to this world. How often have you become caught up complaining about the snow in a conversation with someone who is not a follower of Jesus? This is what Paul says in Philippians about such a situation:
Philippians 2:14-16 Do all things without grumbling or disputing; 15 so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world, 16 holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I will have reason to glory because I did not run in vain nor toil in vain.
Sometimes we just need to stop and think about our reactions to the weather and realize what the weather reveals about our hearts. And if you stop and think about it, since God works all things together for good for His people we can be sure that one of the good things He accomplishes through snow storms is to reveal to us what our hearts are like so we can see our need of Jesus more and more.
Shovel and reschedule away, not with complaining, but with thanksgiving knowing God is wise and ordains even the weather for the good of His people.
