God is at Work in Hard Seasons

Scripture Reading: “I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.” Psalm 121:1-2 ESV

The other day I was texting with a fellow new mom friend about how chaotic and busy the season of new motherhood felt. We chatted about our shared season of having little ones, a season where you often don’t have a second to check-in on yourself and self-care takes the form of a 5-minute shower twice a week. We echoed each other’s sentiment of being in survival mode. And then these words were laid on my heart: “God is at work in my hard seasons.”

I have seen the mantra “I can do hard things” proclaimed a lot, especially in the past year. There are many days where I rephrase this mantra into “I have no choice but to do hard things”, but that isn’t the whole truth. The truth of the matter is that I can do hard things through Christ as my strength. As I look back on my life and analyze places of the greatest growth in my faith, they are tied to seasons of trial: seasons where I questioned who I was, what my purpose was, and if God really had a plan for my circumstances. I couldn’t see God at work, but I have learned to feel him at work in those seasons. Even when it seems like I am just in survival mode, there are things He is doing to mold, shape and refine me for the work ahead, as hard and painful as that might feel. If you too are experiencing a tough season, I want to encourage you with these three actions.

Look up. Take a second at least once a day to lift up your eyes. Remove your gaze from your circumstances and look up to the God of all comfort, strength, peace and grace, who loves you more than you can even begin to fathom.

Fill your cup. God has put people, positions, passions, and more in your life that require your time and attention. Most of these require much of you every single day. Remember the importance of filling your own cup first, so that you have something to give. This may look different for you than it does for me, but discovering what it is that fills your cup, can be one of the greatest gifts you can give to those around you.

Flower where you’re planted. I’m not sure about you, but I have killed many plants from overwatering them. Many plants need dry, parched conditions to thrive. You might find yourself in such conditions right now, and I encourage you to flower right where you are. Dry seasons are not without moments of joy and triumph. Your dry season, and the flowering you do in your dry season, will speak of God’s glory more than any #the-struggle-is-real Instagram post. Your flowers will speak to others in ways that only God can orchestrate and you might be just the encouragement someone needs to look for the blessings in their season.

“Gracious God, I ask that you draw us near to you. May we look to you for our help and strength, no matter our circumstances. May we seek to glorify you in all that we say and do, and we commit all our seasons to your ultimate glory. Amen.”

Speak Out

Scripture Reading:  “. . . as [Peter and John] were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them, greatly annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. And they arrested them and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening. But many of those who had heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand.” Acts 4:1-4

These days your words can get you in trouble. Saying the wrong thing can get you a reprimand in some quarters or even cost you your job. Words matter. 

That’s no less true for Christians living out their faith in obedience to the Lord Jesus Christ. We live in a day when Isaiah’s words of warning couldn’t be more true:

“Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness; Who substitute bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!” Isaiah 5:20

Today loud voices say you’re evil, dark, bitter if you’re a Christian. We can add hateful to Isaiah’s list.  In times like these, dare we identify ourselves as Christians? Dare we reach out to others with the Good News about Jesus Christ? There could be a price to pay, as Peter and John experienced in their day.

It’s tempting to avoid trouble by hiding our faith, blending in, or fleeing the situation before we can be found out. But that creates a dilemma, because Jesus said, “whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when He comes . . . .” (Luke 9:26). Who wants that?

The other option is to believe, be bold, and speak out—in love. That seems insanely counterintuitive, but remember: We’re in a battle, not with people, but with dark forces in the spiritual realm. Paul told the Ephesians, “we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, . . . authorities, . . . cosmic powers over this present darkness, . . . spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12). When we love people, even the ones who despise us and find us annoying, we’re doing what Jesus bid us to do (Matthew 5:44), and we’re following His example. Haters can become believers. Enemies can become friends. Remember Saul who became Paul? And we can be sure that the Holy Spirit is working in people’s hearts, just like He did in ours by convicting us of sin and leading us to faith in Jesus Christ. And He’s still using believers to reach nonbelievers. 

It can be scary. Even the Apostle Paul needed prayer for words and boldness, asking the Ephesian church to pray “that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak” (Ephesians 6:19-20). And what about Peter and John, whose words got them in trouble? Two things: (1) Some 5,000 became believers (Acts 4:4); (2) they reported everything to their friends, prayed together, were filled with the Holy Spirit, and continued to speak out with boldness (Acts 4:23-24, 31).

“Dear Father, empower us as believers in Jesus Christ to be light bearers in a dark world getting darker; channels of love in all its expressions in a time of division, distrust, and hate; victors in life, no matter what present battles we’re facing; and clear, calm voices boldly speaking the truth in love. Thank You for Your Spirit, working in us and through us, working in the hearts of those around us, some of whom will believe, if we speak out. Amen.”