Have you ever heard the phrase, “it’s just a season”? It is often mentioned to us when we are going through a difficult or painful time. It is meant to encourage us to keep moving forward and to remind us that this difficult time will not last forever. This phrase is entirely true, and I am thankful for this because we often need the reminder. But, I want to offer what seems to be the opposite of this encouraging phrase.
“It is NOT just a season.”
John 6:12 “And when they had eaten their fill, he told his disciples, “Gather up the leftover fragments, that nothing may be lost.”
This verse comes after an amazing miracle where Jesus feeds the five thousand. You’ve probably heard something about this. He provided food for a large crowd of hungry people with just five loaves of bread and two fish.
When all our natural resources are depleted and seems like we have nothing to work with, Jesus turns it into a full meal with leftovers. When I am going through a season where I feel like I have nothing left to give my husband and kids at the end of the day, I know I have access to a source that provides more than enough.
This is the real encouragement. Sometimes a “it’s just a season” seems to be thrown out for good, but it often comes up empty. What if we leaned into the fact that it’s not just a season? That NOTHING is wasted and that the hard things we go through have purpose. It provides encouragement for when we are going through another hard season. It also gives us words of encouragement to share with others who are going through hard seasons.
The people mentioned in John 6 walked away from an experience that is impossible, and it no doubt built their faith for the next time they had personal lack. I’d like to offer some encouragement for the tired and weary spouse and the parent who doesn’t see the light at the end of the tunnel. “It’s just a season” is true, but the opposite is also true.
- Nothing is wasted. When we cannot see how God is working in our lack, he always provides a way for us to see his abundance. It requires us to lean into his strength and not rely on our own. This gives us hope for future seasons that we struggle through.
- Don’t give up. In Hebrews 12, we are encouraged to “lay aside every weight and run with endurance.” This gives us motivation to focus our eyes on Jesus because he is the author and finisher of our faith. When we look at our current circumstance as something that might kill us, we are missing out on accessing the strength that only God can provide.
- Remember past seasons. The leftovers serve purpose. We are instructed to “remember the deeds of the Lord, remember your wonders of old.” (Psalm 77:11) This reflection is not supposed to keep us in the past but to recognize the character of God and His faithfulness.
The Christmas season is filled with joy but can also bring stress if we are simply looking at the stressful situation alone. God uses seasons to grow us as a mother, husband, father, and wife, but most importantly, He uses seasons to grow us as daughters and sons. We are stretched and pruned, but if we look at the leftovers that God gives, we are reminded that every situation has a purpose.
If you are walking through a season of loss, sickness, relational pain, or stress, we can look outside of ourselves and focus our eyes on Jesus. Psalm 77:14 says, “You are the God that works wonders.” The next time you are walking through a season that you think won’t end and the pain won’t stop, look to the Lord. Know that he is holding you and wants you to lean into His strength. This strength is for your current situation and for you to access during the next season. He is always there. Nothing is wasted.
Written by: Taran Nelson. Taran and her husband, Rev. Kyle, live with their three children in Jacksonville, FL.
