SEASON:
a time characterized by a particular circumstance or feature

Our seasons of life are constantly changing based on the personal, relational, spiritual and work-related details of our lives. Some days, I absolutely love my current season of life. Other times, it can feel like the longest season ever. I’ll venture to say –

The longest season is always the one in which you don’t want to be.

It’s true, isn’t it? Whenever we love our current season, it never seems to last quite long enough. But when we despise it – well, it seems like it’s never going to come to an end.

DESPISE:
to look down on with contempt or aversion
to regard as negligible, worthless, or distasteful

So, what do you do when you realize you despise your season? Here’s what I’ve been doing lately:

Remember the Timing

You know why it’s called a season, right? Because it is limited by time. Seasons – no matter how long they are – don’t last forever. In fact, in view of eternity, our entire life is just a season. Whatever season of life you find yourself in, remember that it’s not forever. This season will end; a new one will begin. And chances are, you may even forget about some of the difficulty associated with your current season of life.

When I’m in a difficult season of life that seems larger than life, it’s helpful for me to think about eternity. The only things that are eternal are God, His Word, and the souls of people. Everything else pales in significance. Even the season of life we’re struggling through right now.

Remember the Blessings

Because God is love, remember that there is no season devoid of His loving care. There are always unique blessings associated with particular seasons of life. I admit, sometimes it takes a bit of eye rubbing and soul scrubbing to see those blessings. Personally, I’ve found that the times when it is hardest for me to see any blessings in my current situation are when my eyes are so gripped by this life and what I want instead of focusing on God and His glory. But when I can lift my eyes off my self and on to Christ, He kindly opens my eyes to see the blessings that have been there all along.

I love these truths from Psalm 84:

For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor.
No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly.

O LORD of hosts, blessed is the one who trusts in you!

 

Remember the Giver

God – the giver of those blessings we just talked about – is also the Giver of your current season. Oh friend, this is the most important part to grasp:

When I’m fighting against the limitations of my current season,
I’m actually fighting the One Who gave them to me.

God is the giver of everything I have, even the very events that took place this morning. Remember God is the Giver of your season and you will find the key to resting in His perfect sovereignty instead of fighting and hating every minute of it. When I remember God is the Giver – of every joy, blessing, and trial – it enables me to live gratefully through my seasons instead of despising them.

So today: if you find yourself despising your current season, give your cares to the One Who placed you in this season. Rest in His timing, love, and the very gifts He’s given you today.

 

Related:
The Most Generous Thing God Can Do for You