For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven. Ecclesiastes 3:1
The first and foremost thing to know is; seasons change – they come and go. We can’t fight them or force them into our timing. It’s our job to recognize them for what they are: Just seasons, that come and go. Do we trust in God to do his work in and through us in every season, even though we don’t understand?
I think so many times we fight the “bad” seasons and hold on to the “good” seasons. But how do we measure the good and the bad? Do we measure it according to the perceived number of blessings we experience? Mostly, we rate our season based on the level of our happiness. But what if we recognized that it’s not about us? It has never been and never will be. It has always been about God and about us in the role as his servants. Of course, God wants us to be happy. It’s his will that we rejoice in every season of our lives.
But joy isn’t dependent on our circumstances. The world around us can change in an instant while the Holy Spirit living in us stays the same and can bring forth joy in us, no matter what.
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4
What do you do if you are in a rough season? Remind yourself that there are always chances to learn something, to grow and to become more mature. In the end, you will come out of that time stronger than ever before. There are a lot of hurtful things happening and often we don’t get an answer to our “why?”.
I don’t want to belittle the struggles: There are difficult situations like losing a loved one, getting a difficult diagnosis, going through a break up, a financial crisis and much more. There are times where we just need to press through and cling to God.
A time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; Ecclesiastes 3:6-7
When you are in a challenging season right now, let me tell you that even though you don’t see a way out, that season will change! Another time will come.I can’t tell you what will be, but every hurt and disappointment will eventually go by. The level of maturity that will take a hold of you after you came out of a hardship is priceless!
A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; Ecclesiastes 3:4
If you’re in a season where the right doors open, and everything just seems to work out, then praise God! Enjoy your season and give all glory to Him! This time will prepare, strengthen and refresh you for what lies ahead.
In our world of social media where we are exposed to seemingly successful lives all around us it is hard to be content with our season. But please understand that we only see each other’s highs and successes. We don’t know what’s really behind their pretty pictures and what obstacles they need to overcome at the moment. Or what hardships they faced while reaching for their goals.
When I look at my life the seasons that I would describe as “bad” where actually the ones that ultimately moved me forward. The times where I got stretched, I grew. While facing challenges, I overcame them. After those difficult times, I’m grateful for who I became after pressing in against adversities. Seasons change, and we change with them!
Read more: What to do in a season of patience
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