Winter of the Soul I: January Outside and Inside

The Whole Counsel · Jan 1, 2026 · 21m

We often remember John Newton for his wisdom, joy, and enduring hymns. But like every Christian, Newton knew seasons of profound sadness and spiritual coldness. We know this because he wrote candidly to his close friend John Berridge—the author of “The Means of Grace are in My Hands”—confessing that he was experiencing what he called a “January inside and outside.”

In this opening episode of our new series, Winter of the Soul, Dr. John Snyder reads from and reflects on this short but deeply revealing letter. Newton’s honesty gives hope to weary believers by showing that spiritual dullness and…