JUST THINKING: Trusting God in the Seasons of Life
I was just thinking about the seasons of life. The wise man Solomon wrote: “There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under the heavens” (Eccl. 2:1 NIV). We are three weeks into the new year of 2024, and across our country, from west to east, we have realized this is the season for wintry weather. But Solomon wasn’t referring to that. He was referring to what we call the “seasons of life.” This is not a study on Ecclesiastes but a reminder that we need to claim God’s truths and apply them daily in every season, every occasion and every relationship.
Dealing with Anxiety in a World of Frustration
No matter where we live today, we are in the midst of frustration. It may be dealing with inflation, the breakup of marriages, the heartbreak of losing a loved one or battling depression in these trying times. But God’s truths are for our encouragement in such times.
The apostle Peter wrote by inspiration, “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you” (I Peter 5:6-7).
Those words “in due time” could refer to a season of life. Our problem as humans is that, in almost everything, we don’t want to wait — we want relief from our troubles now!Scripture informs us that we can learn from waiting for “due time” to increase our faith. James wrote, “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” (James 1:2-3). Once a believer overcomes his impatience in the midst of a trial, he is encouraged to know that he has persevered because God cared so much for him and that he was never alone.
Looking for Encouragement in All the Wrong Places
Too often, people, including strong Christians, find themselves facing seasons of discouragement and even depression. Sadly, in an attempt to battle those emotions, humans tend to turn to the wrong people, at the wrong time, in the wrong places.
God has given us His Word — His Truth — to help us through the trying times of life. He has also promised to hear when we call out to Him. An old song believers have loved for decades says that prayer is the key to Heaven, but faithunlocks the door. It is one thing to ask God to help. It is quite another to believe He will.
Asking God Makes a World of Difference
When I say “asking God,” I don’t mean saying a rote prayer someone wrote years ago. If a person is far from shore and is about to drown, he doesn’t pray, “Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep.” No! He cries out, “Help, I’m drowning! Save me!”
Here are some thoughts for you to ponder if you are in one of those seasons of life where nothing seems to go right and you feel you have nowhere to turn. Please, take my advice — turn to God. If you feel deeply discouraged, ask God to lift you up. If you feel as if everywhere you look there is darkness, ask God to give you His Light. If you seem confused at every turn, ask God to give you His peace that transcends human understanding. If you have reached a point of real despair, ask God to show you that He gives hope, not just for the moment, but for eternity.
In the Seasons of Your Life — God is in Control
For many, the holiday seasons bring memories of loved ones who have gone on before. With such memories, while most are good, many are sad. The winter months can also bear heavily on people’s emotions — especially those shut in because of inclement weather. That’s when emotions are greatly affected — bringing despair, discouragement, loneliness and worry. Please be reminded that, as a believer in Jesus Christ, you are never out of God’s sight nor His love. “‘Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,’ says the Lord, who has compassion for you” (Isa. 54:10).
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Dr. Tom Mitchell
Dr. Tom Mitchell pens a column titled, Just Thinking, in which he addresses many topics relative to the Baptist Missionary Association. His Trailblazers series provides biographies of many BMA trailblazers from the past.
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