The calendar tells me the date is June 4th but the chill in the house is more like January. Seriously, a few days ago, we had the AC on in the house and today, well I was so cold, I had to put on these …
and when that didn’t work so well, I may have started one of these …
Just like that, the weather changed. The seasons of life are much the same too. They fluctuate. They ebb and flow, as if to remind you that where you are in this minute is not where you will always be.
But in this moment … we feel stuck. Like this is going to be for the rest of our life.
“If you don’t like the weather in New England now, just give it 5 minutes.”
(Mark Twain)
The slow burn took the chill out of the room today. The comforting smell brought a stillness to my soul as I remembered – life changes. Of course, it helped that I sat directly in front of the fire till the warmth settled into my bones.
More so, it helped to sit with my Bible open, reading and taking the warmth, the fire of God’s Word, into the depths of my soul.
What are we to do when we find ourselves in an unwanted season of life?
- Remember we belong to Him. God has not rejected us nor turned His back on us. “For I have chosen you and will not throw you away. Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand” (Isaiah 41:10, NLT). God is committed to His people and will be faithful. In every season, God has purposes for our lives.
- God will make a way. God alone opens doors and forges a path for His people. “I will open up rivers for them on the high plateaus. I will give them fountains of water in the valleys. I will fill the desert with pools of water. Rivers fed by springs will flow across the parched ground” (Isaiah 41: 18, NLT). Why? So that “all who see this miracle will understand what it means ”“ that it is the Lord who has done this, the Holy One of Israel who created it (verse 20, NLT). When God intervenes, no one will be able to deny the presence of God.
- We look forward in faith. “But forget all that ”“ it is nothing compared to what I am going to do. For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland” (Isaiah 43:18-19, NLT). God did not want His people to forget the miracle of the exodus, however, He wanted them to look forward to what He was yet going to do. He did not want them to dwell on the past and miss the future He yet had for them.
The chill in the air served a purpose today. It reminded me of how quickly the weather can change here in New England. But more so, it reminded me of how quickly our God can cause our circumstances to change.
He brings hope where there is no hope.
He sheds light into our darkness.
He opens doors where all appear closed.
He restores what has been taken from us.
He dispels doubt and renews our faith.
He supplies our need and goes beyond.
Are you feeling stuck in your present situation? Take some time to bask in the warm fire of God’s Word. Let Him remind you He often springs up and does the unexpected, and the miraculous.
“I, yes I, am the Lord,
and there is no other Savior.”
(Isaiah 43:11, NLT)
Today I am joining … Trekking Thru the Week and Unite and #RaRaLInkup and Grace Full Tuesday and Tell His Story .
Shivering along with you, Joanne! Unbelievable swooping of the temperatures, and yet even this is a reminder that change is inevitable and not only do we not know what’s ahead, we do not even know where we are in the trajectory of our story line. This makes me ever so grateful to know the Story Teller!
So glad for a fellow New Englander 🙂 I join you in deep gratitude for our Story Teller who writes every line of our stories!
In California, we had June Gloom, the coastal fog that kept even the Inland Empire shrouded in drizzle through much of the morning. And sometimes longer. Your points about how quickly life changes, all orchestrated by God, are true. Thank you for reminding me about remembering to bask in the warm fire of God’s Word.
Debbie, it’s amazing to me how each area has it’s own weather pattern. No matter where we are, He orchestrates it all, touching our lives as He knows best.
I can relate to your post Joanne, it’s our winter here in Australia & it is cold, raining & windy here this week.
I like your allegory with the seasons & being stuck in the circumstances of life, really enjoyed you’re message this morning, thank you.
Especially encouraged by Is 43:19!
Jennifer
I feel like we joined hands across the globe to enjoy a day of “winter” together, Jennifer 🙂 I often forget the hemispheres are opposite seasons.
What a great encouragement this was for me today, Joanne! Thank you for sharing this over at GraceFull Tuesday!
Seasons can change so quickly and other times we feel like they will never end (such a winter here in the midwest this year). I love your points of what to remember when we are stuck in an unwanted season but especially remembering we belong to God. That is something I need to hold onto as truth and remind myself of often. Love having you sharing at #TellHisStory.
Mary, I am so happy for you as you take over #TellHisStory. It will surely be exciting to journey with you each week!
Hi! I’m visiting from the unite link party at #13/14. I really enjoyed your three steps for when we are unsatisfied in a season of life. I think they are great practical yet biblical tips. Thank you for sharing!
Beautiful message. I am resting in Him today. 🙂