Hard Seasons
In hard seasons, do you ever feel like negative thoughts spiral downward and it feels impossible to make your way back up again? Sometimes it seems like things are going great and then they take a hundred-eighty degree turn sideways and you’re left with whiplash. I understand. There are days where I’ve battle thoughts that left me feeling sad and irritated, which made me not so fun to be around.
There are three things you can do in hard seasons.
Remember God’s goodness
Remind yourself that God is good. He has good in mind for you and good thoughts toward you and about you. The Lord calls the stars by name and knows every hair on your head. You are important to him.
“How great is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you, which you bestow in the sight of men on those who take refuge in you. In the shelter of your presence, you hide them from the instrigues of men; in your dwelling you keep them safe from accusing tongues” (Psalm 31:19-20).
Reach out to Others in Hard Seasons
Reach out to others. Not for them to fill you up, but so that you get out of your heard. Ask them what you can pray for and then pray for them. It’s amazing how when we focus on someone else’s life, our thoughts get reoriented.
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others” (Philippians 2:3-4).
Hold onto Faith
Be faithful. It’s in those moments when it feels like God is unfaithful that we need to remind ourselves to hold steady and stand firm on the truth we know, not on what we feel. God does not leave or forsake us.
“I do not hide your righteousness in my heart; I speak of your faithfulness and salvation. I do not cancel your love and your truth from the great assembly. Do not withhold your mercy from me, O Lord; may your love and your truth always protect me” (Psalms 40:10-11).
Navigate the Hard Seasons with Faith
Summer is in full swing and you might be busy with running kids to activities or preparing for your high school graduate to leave the nest. Maybe loneliness is loud in your heart or maybe there’s too much togetherness making you crazy. It’s okay to flip-flop between all the emotions. God is steady and true. He holds onto us when life whips us around and around.
A Prayer
Holy God,
You are steady and true, a steadfast and faithful God who holds us up when we want to fall, who strengthens our steps when we want to quit our hard seasons, who provides rest when we need to rest. We can trust you with the crazy thoughts that fill our minds. Because of your power within us, we remember your everlasting faithfulness that holds us steady. Move in our hard seasons today. Let your presence be known in our realities, and let us fix our eyes on you–the keeper of the stars, the counter of our hairs, and the savior of the world.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
A Final Thought
This blog post is a sample of what I send out to the readers of Grace Notes–a twice a month shot of encouragement from my heart to yours. If you’re interested in signing up to receive these notes, you’ll also receive a free ebook called Kicking Perfect. Sign up here. Thank you for reading and I pray that you God touches your life in a powerful way.
