By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills
The varied seasons of our lives are an intricate part of growth and change. Young and old experience new challenges and victories from the moment we are born. Some of us learn to crawl sooner than others. Some of us walk later than others. Our first teeth arrive at different times. Our first words are never the same as the next person, and that’s just the beginning.
Throughout our lives, we are constantly walking through seasons that motivate us to embrace change, struggle with an unpredictable future, or fight whatever is happening around us. Whether we welcome an approaching season or we’re a little apprehensive, our response shapes our personalities.
Seasons bring varying temperatures from hot to cold, often defining our attitudes and how we’ll move forward . . . or not.
Seasons bring rain and sunshine, tears and laughter, and defeats and victories.
Seasons mean a time of mountain climbing, trekking through deep valleys, and ventures across even ground where we can rest.
Seasons can push us to be better people. Mentally, physically, and spiritually strong people choose to be successful.
Healthy plants need all four seasons to experience hearty growth. We thrive when we journey through celebrations and suffering.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 ESV says it best:
1 For everything there is a season,
and a time for every matter under heaven:
2 a time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
3 a time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to break down, and a time to build up;
4 a time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
5 a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
6 a time to seek, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
7 a time to tear, and a time to sew;
a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
8 a time to love, and a time to hate;
a time for war, and a time for peace.
How can we make the best of each season of our life?
- Express thankfulness for the sweet times when our days are filled with laughter and joy.
- Journal the good times to read when change is taking place.
- Pray through the not-so-good journeys with the knowledge we are growing stronger with more wisdom and insight into the world around us.
- Journal the hard times. Note what is happening around us: the emotions, difficulties, problem-solving, and how God is pruning us to be more like Him.
- Reach out to others to support and encourage.
- Pray through every happening and seek peace and understanding.
- Our bodies are meant for a lifetime.
- Eat nutritionally sound. We make better decisions when our bodies are fueled with healthy choices.
- Enjoy nature.
- Explore something new.
Life is an adventure, and each season offers joys and delights as well as an opportunity to build muscle into our daily routine.
What advice can you give to live each season of life?
