For everything that happens in life—there is a season, a right time for everything under heaven: Ecc 3:1 (The Voice)
What do you think of when you hear the word seasons? 
First thing that comes to my mind is living in New Jersey as a little girl and seeing the leaves change colors in the fall. That is a very vivid memory.
The four seasons come and go year after year and we learn to appreciate them for all they bring us.
We become accustomed to the cold of winter, the rains of spring, the heat of summer and the change of fall.
Seasons changing… we accept them as a part of life, right?
But what about our “life seasons?” How readily do we accept the changes that seem to come and interrupt our lives?
You know, like the times of sickness… times of grief or sorrow… times that you feel like you are in the wilderness…that we all go through, how are we measuring up?
When Seasons of Your Life Don’t Make Sense
The above verse says that “For everything that happens in life-there is a season, a right time for everything under heaven.” Ecc 3:1 (the voice)
What struck me from this verse were the words, “everything” and “right time.”
Right time?
I thought how can there be a right time for stuff like cancer or the sudden death of a loved one?
Yet the more I read this verse, the more I was comforted by it.
It speaks to me of a God who is so intricately acquainted with us, who loves us so much and is directing our lives with such precision that nothing happens to us before it should.
My Season & How it Relates to You
For example, my husband and I have just been through one of these seasons. For the past seven months our norm has been blood tests, chemo treatments, and doctors appointments.
I must say after just getting married in December, this was not the kind of season we, as newlyweds had planned on.
But in light of this verse, I see that it was the right time for this to happen. God’s hand was all over it.
Had Marty (my husband) been diagnosed with cancer before we were married, I would not have been able to be with him in the hospital and minister to him the way I have. As a wife, I have certain privileges I would not have had otherwise.
Marty often tells me that he would not have been able to handle this all by himself, that if I had not been by his side during this season he would not have finished the chemo treaments.
So, as awful as this was, I must see this as one of God’s right timing.
“To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven.”
So now I not only see that there is a right time for everything, but everything has a purpose.
The Lord doesn’t just allow things like cancer to enter into someone’s life without there being a purpose for it. I love this next verse, even though at times it is so over used that we can become numb to its deep meaning.
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God,to them who are the called according to His purpose. (Rom 8:28)
Did you catch that? Who’s purpose? His purpose.
And what does He do? He works all things our for our bad? NO! It’s for our good!
And since Jeremiah 29:11 says that His plans for us are for good, then we can rest in the promise that He really does have a right time and purpose for everything, for every season we go through.
Learning to Trust God When You Don’t Feel Like it
We all have circumstances in our lives when we ask the question, “why,” especially in seasons that are not so easy or pleasant.
Marty and I certainly did.
But learning to trust God and His word to the extent that we are no longer striving to get answers to the “why’s” should be our ultimate goal.
When we can do that, we are relinquishing our lordship over our lives and giving it over to Him.
Why is that?
Because we may never get the answer, at least not the one we may want. So instead of fretting over the reason, just know that God is working out all things according to HIS good purpose for you.
I dare say that as I mature in the Lord, I get better at this with each passing season. Am I perfect at this?
No way, but I am learning to sit quietly and allow each season to run it’s course, knowing fully well that He is in control of this. And in the midst of it, growing closer to the Lord as the verse below describes.
What Season Are You In?
How about you? What season are you finding yourself in?
Are you going thru a dry spell where you feel the Lord is far away? Maybe the Lord is asking you to trust Him with your illness or difficult situation?
What ever season you’re in, just remember one thing… The Lord is in control of it and irregardless of the difficulties you may be experiencing, it has happened at the right time for you.
His timing for everything that happens in our lives is perfect.
We don’t know how long each season will last, but rest assured, beloved one, God knows. He will give you all that you need to get through it.
So don’t strive, rest and trust God, and allow Him to do His work through each season. Maintain a close relationship with Him and He will lead you through your season in victory.
Thank you, this came at such a great time for me. Sometimes I feel like “why is this happening to me.” It’s true we need to remember God has perfect timing and has His reasons. Thank you for the confirmation that I need to “let go and let God!”
I agree with you Nereyda, Patty did a great job in this article. I felt like it really hit home for me too 🙂
God bless you!
Nereyda,
I’m so glad this ministered to you. At times I know I felt like I was the only one with this question, It’s good to know that there are others that struggle with the same things. We can all be triumphant in Christ when we let go and let God. Thank you for your comment
thank you…starting new seasons can be exciting, challenging and nerve racking and yet I am learning to just put complete trust in God’s perfect planning.
Amen Drae, what a wonderful thing that is 🙂 I’m learning more about trusting in God’s perfect planning too in this season of my life.
God bless you 🙂
Drae,
There is no better place to be than in the place of complete trust in His plan for our lives. God will use every season to accomplish His will for us!
Blessings!
This blog post came in such a right time for me Patty because I’m going through somewhat of a difficult season myself. Isn’t anywhere near as difficult as the one that you and Marty have been going through, but it still has been difficult for me because I’ve been having to trust God for my future. I know it isn’t always easy but it is always necessary to put our trust in the Lord.
Thank you for being so transparent and for your excellent exhortation 🙂
Peter, God is truly faithful. How cool is it that my struggle ministered to you and others. How encouraging it is to know that nothing that we go through is ever wasted in His kingdom. 🙂
The starting of the reading thoughts of about that not only physicaly but spiritly seasons do and will pass. And reading further, thoughts about Christmas time how
that Jesus is the reason or the season. For real like 365 days a year. But in 2 Corinthians 1: 4 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. And in job 1:8 And the Lord said unto Satan hast thou considered my servent Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and man upright man, one that feareth God, and eschweth evil. How my heart borke when I heard about the season in both of your lives. And would not change anything of the seasons that what our God has brought in our life. And is still working though the may seasons that are still ahead. Marriage is still my number (1) PRAYER because we never know how long or how much time.Before God may say will you give them back to Me. Yes was my responce only because of the teaching at CCSB, And being encouraged to have an devonal life and daily PRAYER durning the first phase building project. LOVE Servent.
Thank you Venus Bomback for sharing this on your FaceBook page. Patty such a timely message with all that is going on in my life. God Bless both you sisters in Christ.
I totally agree with you Cindy, it was very timely for me as well 🙂
Here goes, O have all my life dealt with being tAking advantage of. I love with all my heart my family,give to them daily in every thought. Well guess what!!? I’m now getting a divorce. After 25 years with him and him not willing to sacrifice for my parent as I did his, I’m done. How can this happen After having pledged my complete life to him and my kids. Hw blamed me for everything, even what was out of my control. Never did he think I was worth more than a was necessary. No diamond, supposedly I didn’t even deserve the house we had so he sold it. I’m even thinking God doesn’t wamt me or that I’m worth his blessings. I have his mercy yes but, nothing else. Now I’m seperated with little education and no money. I still have to depend on my future ex to help ME. This is very difficult for me this soon to be divorced. 3rd time nether of them made me feel I was worth anuthing. How can this be in Gods plan. I loved hard and yet still no one can love me as I feel I shod be loved. To believe at this time its a time and a season that Gods plan is in it is really hard. My faith, hope,and love is leaving my soul. I’ve had enough.