Seasons…

We are reminded by King Solomon that nothing stays the same. Seasons come and go. There is a time for everything. 

That in mind, I have entered a season that I was not prepared to enter. Health issues for a loved one is a season I would never choose, ever. Who would? But for the believer, we know that God is in charge. He will allow our seasonal changes to become actual storms with high winds and uncertain future to strengthen our faith in Him. There is another reason. 

When we walk through the season for days, months, perhaps years where stormy winds prevailed, where we felt like we could not stand under the pressure of the winds. When the water fell out our eyes and we wanted to cry out like the prophet Habakkuk, “Why Lord!” The question comes. Why do you suppose God would allow us to take that difficult journey? 

Is it possible He knows we will give Him all the glory? Is it possible that like Job he knows we can handle the pressures and remain faithful? Why would we do that? Give Him the glory? Because each stormy moment of our walk, He is there with us. He listens to our prayers. He sees our tears. He moves us along the way. He places prayer warrior children of His along our journey to minister to us. They intercede with the precious prayers of the faithful. In that same journey we get the opportunity to bless others with the strength, strong faith and hope our Father gives us. It is much like “paying it forward.” We have compassion and empathy as results of our own stormy seasons to pass on to those around us who may be on stormy seas of their own one day.

All of God’s children experience seasons of change. None will escape change. It is how we manage them that teaches us the goodness of God and His unending desire that we grow in Him until our time on earth is completed and the transition to our eternal home takes place.  

So whatever season you are in, stay encouraged. Whether it is health, financial, broken relationships, sorrow and loss, don’t despair. Read the love letters to you from God’s word. Study the promises and the experience of God’s children who came before us. The survivors. Become a survivor yourself.

Ecclesiastes 3:1

For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven. NLT

2 Corinthians 1:3-4

All praise to God , the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.

Prayer

Hello Father! Thank You for our seasons. Not only the good ones but even those that sorely press us like olives in a mill. Jesus was pressed there in the Garden of Gethsemane. He was pressed, beaten, humiliated and hung on a cross and buried. He met that season with faith to rise on the third day as the Redeemer for the sins of the world. When our season seems too difficult let us seek You through Jesus that we may give witness and compassion to those who are also traversing the storms of life. In Jesus’ name.

©2023 Kathy Ledbetter. All Rights Reserved.