Everyone has a favorite season of the year, usually according to a person’s preference for weather. Having said that, most people are ready for a change in season when it comes. Those who live in climates without significant seasonal change might be jealous of those who experience ALL the seasons. On the flip side, if you live where it’s always cold, you may long for a warm climate. Or if you live in a hot, arid area, you may long for cool, crisp days.
I think we can all agree there is an aspect of every season we like, whether it’s snow, planting a garden, days at the lake, or walks through the beauty of Autumn colors. Whatever your preference is, there is something you enjoy about every season.
Certainly, we can also all agree that there are aspects of each season that we don’t like, from cold, biting wind to sneezing fits to sweating profusely to… Well, I couldn’t come up with one for Fall, lol, but you get my drift. Lol.
Certain seasons can actually affect a person’s mood. I am one of those people who has Seasonal Mood Disorder. I definitely feel more down when it’s dreary all the time, especially in winter, if there is no snow on the ground to brighten the landscape.
The Word tells us that there are seasons in life that can cause this type of roller coaster. “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.” Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
The Christian life doesn’t have to be this way, though. Let’s look at how to navigate the Seasons of the Christian Life in a manner that isn’t conflicting, but fills us with abundant joy, no matter the season.
The Joy of New Faith
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” 2 Corinthians 5:17
Many of us can remember the day we were saved. Some of us may have very powerful salvation stories. Others may have experienced a conversion that came in softly, gradually.
When my daughter was very young, she asked to accept Jesus as her Savior. She was my little neighborhood evangelist, and I knew her request was sincere. After I led her through the salvation prayer, she started crying and said, “Does this mean I can’t have fun anymore?” Out of the mouths of babes. I’m sure some adults may feel that way. Kind of a “what did I just do?” moment, not because they are just going through the motions, but because they are newborn babes in Christ.
In this season of a Christian’s life, being discipled or mentored is so important—someone to come alongside you at the beginning of your journey as a new creation in Christ Jesus. Finding a healthy church is also so important. Spending time in Christian fellowship is like iron sharpening iron. Becoming part of a Bible study, and certainly, spending personal time in the Word and in prayer.
This time in your Christian walk is usually described as “being on fire for the Lord”. You can’t get enough of Him or God’s people. You truly feel the joy of new faith in every aspect of your life. This is such a beautiful season in the Christian life.
At my age now, I look at my littlest grandchildren, who are both just one year old with their whole lives ahead of them, and I find myself envying that. We can also feel that way when we remember our early days as a Christian, wondering, 'Where did that spark go? 'Why am I not feeling the same joy I once did…
Growing Through Every Season of Grace
“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” 2 Peter 3:18
When my son was little, he used to get the worst “growing pains”. It’s no wonder, he’s now 6’5”! The pain was caused by the rapid growth of his bones, muscles, and tendons. Recently, I learned that when our bodies are remodeling bone, like my ankle currently is, it actually can cause fatigue, and boy, am I feeling it. Lol. I assume my age is adding to it.
There can be “growing pains” as we begin to mature in the faith. That spark and joy can be hard to find when we are experiencing life circumstances that test our faith. A person’s age during this growing season can also affect their walk with the Lord, especially if they are in the throes of motherhood or have very hectic 9-to-5 jobs. It’s not as easy to find time to be with the Lord and sometimes even to attend Bible study or church.
This is where understanding the seasons of the Christian life at the beginning of your journey as a Believer will help you grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior. When you have the wisdom to recognize that life’s challenges are not meant to break you or be an excuse to separate you from time with the Lord, but to grow you in your faith so that you draw near to God and still experience His joy DESPITE whatever trials you are going through.
When I was homeschooling my children AND running a transcription business out of my home, it wasn’t easy to find lots of time to be in the Word. So instead, while I got ready in the morning, I would listen to Christian radio and sermons from my favorite online Pastors. I also had a Bible in my bathroom. Yes, you read that right. The only place I could find peace was during those bathroom visits throughout the day, when I could read a portion of Scripture, and do you know, the Lord met me there in a profound way EVERY time!
If you are in a busy time of your life now, think about ways you can meet with the Lord, even if it is only for a few minutes at a time. He WILL meet you there.
When I discovered a thyroid nodule during this time in my life, it was scary. Not only that, but I was also facing the very real possibility of a thyroidectomy, which is a major surgery. Through the prayers of God’s people, that did not end up being the case, and my faith was strengthened.
The trials kept coming, but the joy I felt after coming out of each one of them far exceeded any other kind of joy. Sometimes you have to go through the lowest lows to experience the highest highs. Your faith becomes that much stronger…
This season in the Christian life is preparing you for the next…
Trusting God in Change, Rest, and Renewal
“But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength…” Isaiah 40:31
And here I am… I guess you could say I am in the early sunset years. I praise God that I am extremely healthy for my age. I can walk and exercise. I realize that it is a privilege that some don’t get to experience.
BUT… Older friends weren’t kidding when they said, the trials start coming in faster and faster at this age. Indeed, this is where my husband and I find ourselves…
Having just come out of years of trial, being there for one of our children and grandchildren, we were finally able to breathe. The Lord had answered prayers in those circumstances in such a miraculous way. Not even a day later, my husband ended up in the hospital, possibly facing an emergency appendectomy. Praise God, that wasn’t the case. He will be able to have the surgery once everything heals, which will be a much safer and simpler procedure. On his first day back at work after leaving the hospital, my husband found out he would be reduced to part-time work in October. This was devastating news financially, as we are not set for him to retire for another two years. A week later, he received a call from his brother that his mom was entering the end stages of her life. We are taking the four-hour trip down to say goodbye this weekend. On top of that, my parents, who are almost 90, are failing more and more, and although it will be wonderful to see them this weekend, I always leave wondering “is that the last time I’ll see them??” Talk about the stresses of life rolling in fast and furious!
I confess that it all hit me very hard yesterday. The beautiful 78-degree weather, listening to the birds, while sitting on my porch, did not affect the anxiety I was feeling or the sadness as I sat crunching numbers to see if we could retire now, and realizing, “wow, I’m really at this stage of life now…”
I woke up this morning with a prompt from the Holy Spirit in my heart, reminding me that the Lord who carried me through all the seasons of my Christian walk and grew my faith has not changed, even though my circumstances are changing quite rapidly. “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Matthew 6:33 That right there. After still going to lead the Women’s Bible Study group last night, even though I didn’t feel up to it, but obeyed, not only was I blessed last night, but see how the Lord blessed me this morning.
I share my story to encourage anyone else in this season of their Christian walk that indeed we can trust God with the changes (it turns out we absolutely can retire now and will actually be better off financially, lol.), look forward to the rest (with my husband retired, every day will be like the weekend!) and know that even still we are being renewed (my husband and I will have more time for ministry work).
With a Kingdom mindset shift, you can insert your own ways into my parentheses that you will trust the Lord, expectantly and hopefully, in how He will sustain you through the change, provide you with rest, and renew your strength in this season of the Christian Life.
Dear Heavenly Father, please meet us in whatever season of the Christian Life we find ourselves in and help us to have a Kingdom mindset to live the abundant life you died for us to have.
What season of the Christian life are you in?
How will you embrace that season for the Lord?
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