If you looked at your life right now, what season would you say you are currently experiencing? Are you in a dry season, a season of waiting for something, a season of grinding, a season of testing and trials at almost every turn, or a season of spiritual warfare? The list could go on and on. Maybe you’re having a happy time and everything is going well. Sometimes it is difficult to recognize the season of life we are in, and it can be even more difficult to know how to live fully in Christ during that time.
Of course, we know that the seasons change. There is winter, spring, summer and fall. Just as the natural seasons change, so do the seasons of our lives.
The Bible tells us in Ecclesiastes 3:1, “For everything there is a season.” He also tells us in Ecclesiastes 3:11: “[God] made everything beautiful in its time.
The first step to thriving in a spiritual season is recognizing the one you are in. Here are six common seasons of life. Which one describes your life?
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1. The dry season
It’s undoubtedly a difficult season. It is when God is silent and you can no longer hear His voice or feel His presence as you once did. In the dry season, God seems very distant. I have experienced a dry season several times in my life and I know how difficult it can be. For Christians, a period of spiritual dryness can seem completely overwhelming. Suddenly your life experience no longer matches what you know to be true about God. If God guides his childrenwhy can’t I feel it? If He careswhy don’t I feel it?
I believe the keys to getting through this difficult time are: (1) Realize that you are there, and (2) Persevere – draw closer to God despite how distant He feels. Don’t wither. Continue reading His Word. But also talk to him, even if he is silent. Because He is there. He didn’t leave.
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Why am I in the dry season?
Scott Slayton said this about the reasons for the season in his article: “What to do when you are in a spiritual dry spell.”
“This kind of spiritual dry spell can occur after going through difficulties, spending time in lukewarmness or sin, or simply after getting stuck in a rut. »
In this season, it is good to examine your life and check if there is any heart problem or unconfessed sin. If you find out: confess it to God and repent because, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.“, 1 John 1:9.
And I’ll tell you one more thing about dry seasons: they don’t last forever. This season will change. Just keep the faith, keep trusting Him, keep going to churchcontinue to praise and worship God even when it is difficult and confusing. The rain is coming.
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2. The Season of Waiting
Let me start by saying, “Waiting is NOT easy!” » If you’re here now and it’s difficult, don’t worry.
Psalm 37:7 said: “Be still in the presence of the Lord and wait patiently for Him to act.
Whether you are waiting for a godly husband, for a difficult circumstance to change, or for God to finally fulfill a promise; the waiting period can range from mildly annoying to infuriating.
We know from the story of Joseph in the Exodus that God uses periods of waiting for his glory. and for our good. And we know from the story of Abraham in Genesis that the wait can last a very long time. But we also know thanks to Hannah history that pouring out your heart to God and waiting for Him is truly worth it.
In your waiting period, trust that God will prune you. It eliminates what is not needed for the next season. He prepares you, so let him work for as long as necessary.
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Why is God making me wait?
This season, like the others, will one day be over. But it is almost certain that a waiting period will occur again in life. Betsy Childs Howard said this about waiting well in her article: “When you just want to leave the school of waiting.”
“You see, for God, the purpose of this [season] It’s not that I have to learn my lesson so I don’t have to wait anymore. God wants me to learn to wait so that I can wait well, even if my waiting continues for the rest of my life. Although my plan is to keep an optimistic attitude and show God that I am a good student, so that He will end my waiting, God wants something even better for me. Rather than ending my waiting, he wants to bless my waiting.
Even as you wait for God’s blessing, He is ready to bless you with the gift of Himself.
Keep the faith, do not doubt God’s plans and goodness, and wait eagerly. David cried out to God in Psalm 5:3“Every morning I present my requests to you and I look forward to.” God listens to you and knows exactly where you are. Hang in there. God has not forgotten you.
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3. Grinding season
This is also known as: Peak Season. This is the “I don’t have enough time to do everythinge!” moment in life. Sometimes we have big plans or small people that require more time than other seasons. I am in this season right now as I write this article.
Busyness is becoming a value in modern American culture, but it is not something Christians should strive for. If you find yourself in a busy season, run after God. The key to success in this time is to seek God’s guidance from the moment your feet hit the ground in the morning. Recognize and organize what needs to be done, then review those priorities. Addressing your priorities first will also help alleviate excess stress.
“In his hand are the depths of the earth, and the peaks of the mountains belong to him“, Psalm 95:4.
The whole world does not rest in your hands – it rests in the hands of God. Pace yourself and your tasks. Breathe. Pray. Take a lunch break. Then continue your work and persevere with the strength God gives you. Count on the Holy Spirit to guide and help you.
Here is “20 Prayers to Pray Throughout a Busy Day.”
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4. The season of tests and trials
If you are going through difficult times this season, know that God is with you in the midst of it all. He is totally at work. I know it’s hard when you’re in the middle of it all, and you might not even understand what you’re going through or why. But I want to assure you that God knows, and in due time all will be revealed. In the meantime, don’t give up and don’t get tired of doing good.
“Let us not grow weary in doing good, for in due time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. » Galatians 6:9.
If you need comfort, let God comfort you. If you need strength beyond yourself, let Him strengthen you. If you need wisdom, ask and the Bible promises it will be given to you (James 1:5). As difficult as trials and tribulations may be, allow God to be God. Allow Him to do the supernatural work that only He can do. Allow it to strengthen and increase your faith in this time of difficulty or affliction.
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Fix your eyes on Jesus, not on your trial.
“For our light and momentary troubles bring us an eternal glory that far exceeds them. So we do not fix our eyes on what is visible, but on what is invisible, for what is seen is temporary, but what is invisible is eternal. » 2 Corinthians 4:17-19.
In this season, it is essential to set your thoughts on heavenly things, not on the temporary things of this earth. Fix your eyes on Jesus. He is the God who understands every temptation; he understands suffering and pain; and he understand our weaknesses.
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5. The season of spiritual warfare
If you are in a time of spiritual warfare, prepare yourself! If you are attacked spiritually, you are doing something good that Satan does not like. But whether you walk faithfully or not, the enemy will make war against you. This comes from being a Christian. But don’t be afraid. Remember the story of Job: God is always in complete control.
It’s a wonderful thing to be a child of God – He fights for you. Just lean on Him and rely on Him by praying and reading His Word. He will take care of the rest.
This is not a natural battle against flesh and blood (although it may seem so).
“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. » Ephesians 6:12.
With this spiritual battle in mind, we must put on our full spiritual armor.
“Therefore put on the whole armor of God, that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand firm, and having done all, to stand firm. So hold on, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of justice in place, and with your feet equipped with the availability that comes from gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take back the shield of faithwith which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take it helmet Hi and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God“, Ephesians 6:13-17.
These are our weapons. Let’s not leave them at home and go into battle alone.
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6. The right season
“Is anyone among you in trouble? Let him pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise.” James 5:13.
Maybe you just got married or your children bring you joy. Maybe you’re killing it at work, or reading the Bible like you’ve never done before. It’s the season of fun – the happy season. But you still have work to do in this season: Praise the Lord! Praising God is something Christians should do in every season because our hearts need it and because God is always worthy of it.
Sing your song to God. How has he been good to you?
Here are some Psalms for you help you start: Psalm 95, Psalm 103, Psalm 148And Psalm 150.
More readings on praising the Lord: 1 Chronicles 16: 8-36.
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Live your season glorifying God.
Once you recognize what season you are in, you can shift your thoughts to your Heavenly Father and experience the season glorifying Him. Ultimately, God controls all seasons. No matter what season you are in, remember that God makes everything beautiful in its due time.
Courtnaye Richardis a Christian blogger who loves writing to help women grow in their walk with the Lord. This is real talk, real issues and real life in faith! Don’t miss her weekly posts every Monday at 7:30 a.m. https://www.insideoutwithcourtnaye.org/. For more information or questions, you can visit the Courtnaye website.
This article was adapted from “How to recognize the spiritual season of life you are in.”
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Originally published on Thursday April 5, 2018.