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Don’t Fight the Seasons

While talking on the phone with a friend of mine, her fiance sent her a text. The text detailed the outsourcing of jobs at his workplace starting this summer. I immediately asked her if her fiance was effected by this. As soon as I asked the question, I said
“Don’t fight the seasons. If the season is over for this job then just go with it. God is moving him on to something bigger and better. Fighting the seasons is like fighting your blessings and God’s plan for your life.”

Ecclesiastes. 3:1 says For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven…

It reminded me of a job where I was originally hired as a temp for six months. That job lasted for three years. During that three years I was diagnosed and went through treatment for cancer (a season of illness). At that time, I had no health insurance because of my temporary job status (a season of financial overwhelm). The majority of my treatment was over when I was informed of my job loss. I understood the season was over. The job did what it was supposed to do in the time frame it lasted. As a single mom in the fight of my life, it kept a roof over our heads and food on the table. I didn’t fight it. I was at peace. The job no longer belonged to me and no longer needed my involvement. The assignment was over. Since God was and is my provider, He would move me on to the next opportunity.

Management seemed surprised by my sense of peace with this news. They frequently questioned me about my response. I had peace that surpassed all understanding (Philippians 4:7). I trusted God. He was and is my provider. I later approached the Director who approved the extended time. I told her the season was over. I was thankful and appreciative for the time I was there. I was especially grateful for the support while going through my season of illness.

After a couple of months of job searching, I interviewed for a long term temp position with a different company. I was unsure this opportunity would materialize. A couple of days later, I was offered full-time employment with health benefits which was a blessing. God worked it out. Understand that every event and experience is seasonal which helps you to move forward. God is moving you to learn the next lesson and become who you need to become. He is moving you into what He has for you.

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Consider it Pure Joy

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. James 1:2-6

The uncertainties surrounding the current Coronavirus event have produced a variety of trials. Normally, we all have experienced trials in our lives at one time or another. The uncertainty of this particular trial has led to feelings of being ill at ease and unsure of what the future will look like. The uncertainty is truly testing my faith in God. I believe my trials are a training ground for what God has next for me. The big question is: ‘God, what are you trying to teach me in this?’

My regular prayer along with standing strong on God’s wisdom and word gives me peace. I choose to have a relationship with God because the alternative proved to be adverse to my best interest. I have at times put God in the backseat regarding decisions I have made. Those decisions have resulted in being blown and tossed by the wind as the scripture says. With those decisions, came another lesson learned and more wisdom acquired. My relationship with God is not perfect. It is a work in progress as I am a work in progress. I just know I am better with God than without.

Whatever the trial happening at the time, there will be a lesson and wisdom that comes out of it for myself and the situation at hand. I will continue to ask God for wisdom. Having God with me every step of the way is what I consider pure joy. The Lesson and the wisdom will move me forward into what God has for me. For that, I am grateful.