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Changing Seasons of Life
Fall is now in full swing with cool nights and breathtaking sunsets; it is a beautiful time of the year where we live. Even in the fall, it is still warm enough to take walks on the beach and experience enjoyable weekend retreats. It is a season filled with great expectation.
Days are now becoming shorter and nights growing longer. With longer evening hours to fill one’s day, we find ourselves spending more time indoors. For some, the adjustment is relatively easy, while others struggle with negative emotions.
The fall reminds me that we all face challenges and difficult times that can be defining moments to bring about life changes. An important aspect about any situation is how much we allow it to impact our lives. Joy and peace from the Father are always available even during challenging times.
To prepare for a season of change, we need to take care of our body and our mind. We need to maintain a healthy body, including eating well, exercising for at least 30 minutes three times per week, and sleeping for at least 6 to 8 hours each night.
Keeping our bodies healthy is not enough to help us through difficult seasons, though. We also need to care for our minds. What we see, hear, and experience in each 24-hour period is expressed through our God-given emotions. This brings us to the most significant exercise we can do each day, spending time with God in prayer and studying His precious Word. In the words of the Psalmist David, we are reminded to seek God and ask, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts; and see if there be any hurtful way in me, And lead me in the everlasting way.” Psalm 139:23-24 (NASB) We should take time for personal reflection and allow God to direct any changes we need to make in our lives.
Solomon reminds us in Ecclesiastes 3:1 “There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven” (NASB). Just as seasons respond to the appointed time as ordered by our Creator, so it is that there are times when our journey becomes more challenging. Whether the experience is big or small, one thing is true-- acknowledging God’s enduring and perfect work in the midst of the struggle helps us face these changing seasons of life.
Psalm 139 is one of my favorite chapters in Scripture. David poses two questions in verse 7. He asks “Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence?” The answer is found in verses 8 through 12. His presence is with us whereever we are. He goes on to say, “Surely the darkness will overwhelm me . . . How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How vast is the sum of them…..When I awake, I am still with You.” We are never alone no matter how lonely we feel. Praise His Name!
What are you experiencing in your journey? The gospel message has not changed “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Hebrews 13:8 (NKJV) He is here to meet your every need, but you must do your part. Doing what is necessary to maintain a health body and healthy mind with a godly perspective based on the promises of God is our part and He will faithfully take care of the rest. You can trust Him in every season!
Copyright © 2008-2015 Ruth Van de Riet
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