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Title: Seasons Come And Seasons Go
Date: January 4, 2022

So here we are, heading into another new year rather reluctantly. No one is quite sure what this upcoming year will bring. The past few have been unprecedented, challenging and quite frankly shocking at times. I have decided, however, to put away my uneasiness. I anticipate great things from God this year. He is moving and I can’t wait to observe His glory!

The world in which we live is definitely not the one we knew just a few short years ago. As we embark upon this particular new year, let us vow to put on a new suit of armor. Let’s take off our old battered one and replace it with a new one that can withstand the heat. Rather than anticipating more uncertainty, let us refuse to allow Satan power over our minds, and look forward with hope, courage and boldness. We refuse to be defeated in our thoughts, words and reactions. C.S Lewis said, “When it’s our time, we will walk right into our blessing!” I love that! I pray this is exactly where we are headed this year. Our time as believers, walking into our blessing!

Although our world has been rapidly changing, let’s keep this verse at the forefront of our minds:

James 1:17
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

Did you catch that? Our Father does not change! Even in our crazy world He still sends down good and perfect gifts. We need to wait in expectation of that, because He keeps His promises. How precious is He? I want to start my year with this heart and mind attitude. I want to anticipate His goodness, rather than fear the unknown!

There sure is truth in that old saying “when it rains it pours.” As I look back on the seasons of my life, the sweetest ones always come after the most difficult. Maybe you have found that as well. So take heart….If this is one of your most challenging seasons thus far, just ahead is one of your best! It may be just around the corner, coming down from the Father of heavenly lights. It’s God’s nature to do that for us. That is God’s tender and loving hand of mercy and grace.

Think about it: As our sovereign Lord created the four seasons for His good purpose, so He also uses spiritual seasons in the same way. Much like nature, we are never stuck in one season forever. There is always change ahead.

Realizing, acknowledging and reminding ourselves that there is ALWAYS an END to a heavy and complicated time is reassuring, isn’t it? But keeping that mindset while smack in the middle of the battle is not always easy! In fact, it’s probably the most difficult aspect of it all. But holding on to that thought as if holding on for dear life and never letting go of our Father’s hand is what helps us finally reach the other side of our trial. It is what helps us arrive there safely, securely and that much tougher and stronger. And the best part is new spiritual growth, a beautiful new season emerging.

I went through one of those very long seasons, roughly five years’ worth. It was one heavy thing after another. As I recall, I am pretty sure there was no reprieve in between all those trials. It seems as soon as one would end another one would begin. One year in that time period was particularly rough. In between multiple difficult illnesses and deaths of loved ones, a couple of extreme and frightening lawsuits, financial loss, the loss of my husband’s business, the potential loss of everything we owned, and to top it off a scary medical diagnosis for my granddaughter…well the pressure of it all was taking its toll. Yet I am here to encourage you that I have been here enjoying that sweet spot of God’s mercy, reprieve and grace. We literally woke up to a new day…and it all came to an end, just like that!

Please forgive me if I sound like I’m boasting! I am boasting only in the Lord and His loving goodness! It’s truly amazing, for I realize now the things that would typically cause me to worry or be anxious about seem to now be light and momentary troubles. I believe it’s a result of those extremely difficult days. The Lord proved himself so faithful to me. He showed me those times do come to an end. He convinced me there is always a bright and beautiful sun shining ahead. He is beyond trustworthy, even when it may not appear to be so! When I get frightened or anxious over things, I now have my very own reminder that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Like an old movie, I rewind those years in my mind and remind myself that good times are ahead, and I know He uses every single moment of those difficult ones for His good purpose!

May we live each and every day of this new year with this in mind: God’s word is the final authority in our lives. If He said it, we must believe it. For It is settled in heaven for all eternity! Hope can then rise; our new day will dawn and it’s going to be glorious!

Ecclesiastes 3:1
For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.

Psalm 16:1
I love the Lord because He has heard my voice and my plea for mercy. Because He inclined His ear to me, therefore I will call on Him as long as I live.

Psalm 90:14
O satisfy us early with your mercy, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.

When I finally came to the realization that our trial was coming to an end, it was almost as if I was afraid to get my hopes up. I thought it was too good to be true. I remember driving in my car and hearing a song for the first time by Danny Gokey. It was as though the words were written just for me! The tears I wept as I heard the lyrics just seemed to wash away all the past pain and hardship. In case there is someone else who may need to hear these words…here are just a few from that song:

There’s hope in front of me
There’s a light I still see it
There’s a hand still holding me
Even when I don’t believe it
I might be down but I’m not dead
There’s better days still up ahead
Even after all I’ve seen, there’s hope in front of me
There’s a hope still burning
I can feel it rising through the night
And my world still turning
I can feel your love here by my side
I still have hope
You are my hope

May the Lord bless you! May His face shine upon you as the days ahead unfold and may your unrelenting hope rise through all your nighttimes! And may it truly be a HAPPY new year!

Delighting in safe pasture,
Linda