“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:”
Ecclesiastes 3:1 KJV
Am I the only one in awe when looking at the fresh new flowers, and baby goslings walking around, or even when the leaves go from a solid green to a mixture of red, orange, and yellow?
Blooming flowers, babies being born, and changing leaves are obvious signs of changing seasons.
To me, these all symbolize the beauty of the changing seasons.
But what about hard seasons?
The seasons when all those beautiful leaves die and leave the trees bare.
The seasons when hurricanes come and destroy homes.
What is the purpose of these seasons?
What about the seasons that seem to drag on with everything unchanged?
The winter months when the sky doesn’t seem to change from its dull gray color.
Can we find beauty in such seasons?
I can tell you from experience, that there is beauty in every season!
The Bible tells us that there is a time for every season. This tells me that God places these seasons in our lives for a reason.
While we’re in these rough seasons, it’s hard to see that there is a purpose for them. We question God – get angry even.
There have been seasons in my life when I asked God, through pain and tears, “Why are you doing this to me? Why am I even here”?
I spent the early part of my 20s in pain. Back pain, abdominal pain, and stomach pain. I spent years in and out of doctors’ offices, and have had a couple of surgeries to fix some of that pain.
I was only 20 for goodness’ sake! My pain debilitated me most days and all I could do after work was sit down. While other people my age were energetic, full of life, and ready for the next adventure, I felt tired and hopeless.
Through many tears, many prayers, and so much heartache, I didn’t know the point of it all.
But there was a reason!
During these seasons, I could do nothing but call on God. Some days I felt distant from Him, but I still called on Him.
It was through these seasons that God revealed things to me that needed to change in my life.
During the time I walked away from God, I made unwise choices that led to some parts of my pain. Other parts are still unknown.
However, what I do know is that God healed me. Through each surgery, I drew closer to God. Through each change and prayer, I began to heal. And through one glorious night, I felt the release of pain in my back.
Beyond all this, I was able to share my testimony with other women who needed encouragement during their time of need.
And even though there is something so wonderful about being healed by God when doctors were lost, there is an even better feeling that my hard season led to me being able to help someone else going through similar situations.
Looking back, I will forever be reminded that God saved me when I didn’t deserve it. He healed me even though I deserved to be stuck in my own mess. He loved me through it all and forgave me. He freed me from the bondage of sin and death!
“So if the Son makes you free, then you are unquestionably free.”
John 8:36 AMP
And let me tell you, friends – there is NO greater feeling than that!
God uses each circumstance to draw us to Him, to strengthen us to be the people He has called us to be, and to share with others our testimony to lift them up in times of need.
“Then I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation, and the power, and the kingdom (dominion, reign) of our God, and the authority of His Christ have come; for the accuser of our [believing] brothers and sisters has been thrown down [at last], he who accuses them and keeps bringing charges [of sinful behavior] against them before our God day and night. And they overcame and conquered him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, for they did not love their life and renounce their faith even when faced with death. Therefore rejoice, O heavens and you who dwell in them [in the presence of God]. Woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has come down to you in great wrath, knowing that he has only a short time [remaining]!”
Revelation 12:10-12 AMP
I want to encourage you today, that even if everything seems bleak, there is a God who loves you. He loves us so much that He sent His son to earth to suffer for our sake. There is no love greater than that.
I’m not going to tell you that it will be easy – because it’s not. But it’s not meant to be easy. God challenges us and calls us to be greater than we think we are. That’s just how highly He thinks of us!
Remember today that you are loved. You are cherished. You are going to make it.
I love you all!
Graceful Warriors 
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