This season

If you live in Central WI (like me), you may have had it with the snow. My wishful thinking was that the last snowstorm we got in early April was the last of it. The kids Spring break looked more like Winter break, for goodness sakes! Then, the weather was starting to warm up. We were hitting the low 50's; the sun was shining; the snow was almost all melted and our future was looking bright. Then...BAM! We literally get dumped on (by the snow)! My family and I were in Chicago last weekend, and returned on Sunday evening to 20+ inches of snow. While driving back (towards the tail end of the snow storm), the highways were snow covered, and we were literally driving back in white-out conditions (I do not recommend this). The snow kept coming, and the blustery winds were blowing. It was a nice, wintry mix for a raging snow storm; yet, we could not see more than 3 feet in front of us. All we had to guide us were the high mounds of snow to our right and left, that the snow plows had created from plowing earlier in the day. Friends and family members on Facebook were not thrilled. Many of them complained, while some of them just laughed. It's hard to stay hopeful for Spring/Summer when all you see is white, and all you feel is cold. It was definitely a mood killer, but then it dawned on me. Man, the spiritual season that I am in feels just like this!


What I mean is, I have been in a season of desolation, depression, and cold. I've been hanging in there, though I feel like I am barely surviving. I thought things in my personal life were just starting to look up, but I was wrong. Instead, I get hit with another load of attacks, issues, and problems. I truly thought I was at the tail end of it, that I was coming out of the harsh, dark, and cloudy season. But the relentless and unmerciful issues smacked me with reality, and shattered that hope. (I want to get off this roller coaster!) So now, I am back on my knees, praying, pleading, and lamenting before the LORD. When Oh God, when will I come out of this? I try to be thankful; I try to lift my head above the crashing waves; and I try to stay positive. In my anguish, I pray for strength and comfort, I read Scripture, and remind myself of God's faithfulness. I worship. I sing. I praise. How close am I to my breakthrough? I desperately think. It looks as if things will never get better. Will I forever be stuck in this unending, hazy state of despair? When I think God has forsaken me, He continues to comfort me. I tell Him, I can't take much more Lord. Spiritually, I am weak and exhausted, merely surviving.

Yet, I remain hopeful because I KNOW that brighter days are coming, and that this too shall pass. I don't know why I'm hurting, I don't understand any of it, but it isn't my job to. It's God's job to take care of me. It's His job to be in control, and I trust in Him. Even when I feel like I have nothing left, even when my world is unstable and left in shambles, I have to intentionally remember that God is stable and sovereign. There is something deep inside of me, separate from all the chaos and pain, that gives me hope. I remember that I am loved and that I am saved. Even if it's just a small knowing, or the tiniest burning flame, I still feel hope. I have a deep knowing that there is something better, and that this pain will not last forever. I know who Christ is and what he did for me. And if in the end, I stay in the season or state I am in, or even die, I know I will be in Heaven with my Maker where there is no more death, sorrow, crying, or pain (Revelation 21:4). I must remember that the same God who made the sun, also made the snow. He has His reasons for the seasons in our life. Jesus tells us in Matthew 5:45 that the sun rises on the evil and the good, and it rains on the righteous and the unrighteous.


The seasons are not meant to harm us, but to strengthen us. Seasons are for growth. Some seasons we rest, some seasons we work. Some are hard, and some are easy. Sometimes they are meant to humble us, to bring us to our knees, or to remind us that we have a Heavenly Father who cares. God will not give us more than we can handle. If we allow Him, He will bring us through these tough seasons, strengthen us, and even teach us a thing or two. Our pain does not have to be in vain. God loved and praised Job so much, yet even he experienced much loss, pain, and suffering. I remember choosing to read that book because I thought it was short. It was, to a degree, but even I wondered when Job's suffering would end. However, God restored him. Yes, we have a God of healing, redemption, restoration, and blessings. We must look at our seasons of hardship from the point of victory, and ask ourselves what kind of blessing will come out of this. We ought to be expectant of God's blessings. God is always looking for opportunities to bless us. That means when you continue to pray for those who hurt you, and bless those who hate you (Matthew 5:44), God is going to bless you. God sees everything and He is our rewarder. No matter how dark or frigid your season is, don't focus on the pain, focus on God. Seasons come and season go. Even though the snowstorm was unexpected, I know that the snow is not going to stay. The SUN will eventually melt it all away, and a new season will come. The warmth is coming, flowers will bloom, and our frosted skin will soon be sun-kissed.

Let us be hopeful and let us pray.

Oh God,

These seasons are terribly difficult, making it so hard to pray. Sometimes, I don't even know how or what to pray anymore. But I will praise You and thank You. Thank you for these seasons, and though we don't understand it, I trust that You are working. I know You are doing something, even if it hurts. Please Father, do not be angry with us when we question Your Sovereignty, faithfulness, presence, or power. Forgive us. Help us and do not let these harsh seasons overtake us. Show us how to stand firm, and even rest in You during these rough times. Don't let the pain be in vain. Use these circumstances to grow our faith, and do whatever it is that You are trying to do. Help the readers, and comfort them. Be their consolation in their great distress. You are our refuge, strength, hope, and stronghold. We need You Lord, and we wait upon You. It is out of Your hand that comes provision, blessing, healing, deliverance, liberty, and salvation. Whether big or small, our hope is in You. You will bring us out of this, You will carry us through. Who else can save us Lord? We need You Lord. In Jesus' name, amen.


Prayerfully,

Pam