• Privacy and Disclosure Policy
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest

Jennifer Hayes Yates

  • Home
  • Shop
  • New Life
  • About
  • Blog
  • Resources
  • Schedule
  • The FOCUSED 15 Challenge

In Every Season

April 12, 2016 By Jennifer H. Yates Leave a Comment

12 Apr

People joke quite often about the weather here in South Carolina. You can actually enjoy all four seasons in one week! I kind of like that we get a variety here, but I’ll admit, I’m really ready for some stability. I packed away my winter clothes, and then, wouldn’t you know it? Lows in the thirties.

There’s something to be said for being steady in every season. We all go through different seasons of life from our youth to marriage, raising kids and sending kids off, empty nest, retirement, old age. We also go through different seasons in ministry, times of sickness or grief, times of prosperity and times of need, or perhaps seasons of preparation for what is to come.

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven” (Ecclesiastes 3:1, NIV).

Knowing that we will indeed go through different seasons in life, how can we navigate the ups and downs of life with peace and stability? With faith and faithfulness?

I have been praying about this very thing over the last several weeks. The transitions between seasons are so difficult. My last child is graduating in May. I will no longer have a child in school with me as I teach for the first time in seventeen years. I have new opportunities in ministry opening up to me, but I have also had some setbacks that the Lord has yet to overcome. I’m still waiting on some things to come to pass.

And then today I thought about a tree. Trees go through all of the seasons. We have a pecan tree lane that leads to our home, and I love it when those trees turn green again this time of year. They have been so barren and dull all winter. Now they are again bursting with life. But the funny thing is, they’ve had fruit on them since November. All through the cold time of the year when the trees no longer look pretty, they are full of fruit.

What about me? When things aren’t looking all that pretty in my life, am I still bearing fruit? During the transitions and the setbacks am I still trusting God and walking in the Spirit? Am I still prepared to share God’s love and truth with someone? During the times of sickness or grief, do I still believe that God is with me?

If you have read this blog for very long, you know how much I love the Psalms. I read them daily and journal my prayers back to God from them. Psalm 1 is a favorite of mine, and I just turned there again when I thought of the tree.

“Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers” (Psalm 1:1-3).

The tree yields its fruit in season. So does that mean we only have to bear fruit when everything is in season? Of course not! The reason the tree is able to bear fruit in the appropriate season is because it is planted by the stream night and day. That is a metaphor for being rooted and grounded in the Lord and in His Word.

There have been times in my life when it seemed that God was working and moving in ways I could hardly believe. I look back and I am amazed at all that God has allowed me to do. And yet there have been times when I was in a season of transition or preparation, and things seemed quiet. There have also been times when I knew the Lord was working and then it just stopped. Setbacks. Frustration. Obstacles.

I believe the first thing we should do is look at ourselves. Maybe I have allowed some sin in my life that has interrupted the flow of God’s plans for me. Sin separates us from God. If God has convicted me of some sin and I haven’t repented (turned away from it), then He may not continue to use me. God is looking for holy vessels through which He can minister to others. I don’t have to be perfect, but when the Holy Spirit convicts me of sin, I need to listen and obey the Lord. Many times this will release the flow of God’s work in my life again.

If we don’t know of any unrepented sin in our lives, but we still seem to be in a difficult season, then it could be a spiritual attack of the enemy. Spiritual battles are fought with the spiritual weapon of prayer. Get into your prayer closet and seek the Lord. You can read my previous posts on spiritual warfare and breakthrough here.

Most of all, know that God is with us. We may be going through a time of testing. We may be in a season of preparation. Maybe God has us right where He wants us, and we just need to be still. Worship the Lord for who He is and stay grounded in His Word. There is peace in His presence.

If we stay faithful to God during uncertain seasons, repenting of any sin, battling the enemy in prayer, and grounding ourselves in the Word, He will bring us through with stability and peace. Who knows? There may be a sunny day just around the corner.

“Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season” (2 Timothy 3:2).

 

 

SHARE THIS:

15shares
  • Facebook 14
  • Email
  • Print

Filed Under: Spiritual Growth Tagged With: Bible study, Christian devotional, Ecclesiastes 3, In Every Season, Jennifer H. Yates, one thing, Psalm 1, seasons, spiritual battle, spiritual warfare

« Seek the Lord Today
The Road to Restoration »

About Jennifer H Yates

About Jennifer H Yates

Hey friends! I'm Jen--wife, mama, and empty-nester. I love to write, read, and drink coffee, especially with friends. I enjoy my family, my church, my small group, and most of all, my quiet time with Jesus. Come join me on this journey as we run after God together!

Let’s Connect

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest

Advertisement

Latest on Instagram

jenniferhyates

jenniferhyates


Worried and upset over many things? Jesus said onl
Worried and upset over many things? Jesus said only ONE THING is needed. Choose the better thing. #onething #atHisfeet #linkinbio ⁠

Instagram post 17983328917318191
Instagram post 17983328917318191

Everybody knows New Year’s resolutions are just
Everybody knows New Year’s resolutions are just promises made to be broken. I stopped making them a long time ago. But evaluating my spiritual life and doing a priority check? That’s something worth taking the time for as we begin a new year.⁠
⁠
Click #linkinbio ⁠
⁠
#bedeeplyrooted #prayerispowerful #praywithoutceasing #christianpost #christianblogger #womenintheword #livewithintention #shareyourheart #faithwriter #womenencouragingwomen #wordoflife #seekgoddaily #wordbeforeworld #jesusandcoffee #daughteroftheking #fiercelyhis #womenlivingwell #girlfriendsintheworld #faithblogger #givemejesus #graceupongrace #faithoverfear #seekhimfirst #growingyourfaith #womenoftheworld #intheword #lampandlight #shereadstruth #butfirstjesus

Last Scripture reading of 2020 and looking forward
Last Scripture reading of 2020 and looking forward to starting over tomorrow ❤️ #bibleinayear womenoftheword #wordbeforeworld #readthroughthebible

You want to study the Bible and grow your faith. I
You want to study the Bible and grow your faith. I know you do. And I know you want to start 2021 with a daily Bible habit. I also know that even when your heart is right, life can often get in the way.⁠
⁠
Groceries must be shopped, laundry folded, homework checked, meals prepared, work done, relationships built, ministry carried out. And even when we have the best of intentions, it’s really hard to stay consistent with an in-depth Bible study.⁠
⁠
But when we don’t stay in the Word, we don’t grow. Relationships are harder, work suffers, real ministry is impossible, and our hearts grow discontent. That’s because apart from HIM we can do nothing. And His Word is the truth we need to walk in day by day.⁠
⁠
The good news is that it doesn’t have to be that way. You don’t have to just settle for the crumbs from the Master’s table. That’s a lie from the enemy. Instead, you can sit down and feast on His Word. Even if you are super busy.⁠
⁠
Click link in bio for rest of article and to sign up for the free challenge!⁠
⁠
#prayerwarrior #bedeeplyrooted #prayerispowerful #praywithoutceasing #christianpost #christianblogger #womenintheword #livewithintention #shareyourheart #faithwriter #womenencouragingwomen #wordoflife #seekgoddaily #wordbeforeworld #jesusandcoffee #daughteroftheking #fiercelyhis #womenlivingwell #girlfriendsintheworld #faithblogger #givemejesus #graceupongrace #faithoverfear #seekhimfirst #growingyourfaith #womenoftheworld #intheword #lampandlight #shereadstruth #butfirstjesus

Instagram post 17867036609237476
Instagram post 17867036609237476


Load More...


Follow on Instagram


This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Cookie settingsACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.

Non-necessary

Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.