Seasons Don’t Last Forever

I have resolved to live, not just endure, every season of my life.

~Anonymus

I’ve been thinking a lot lately, and I’ve realized how easy it is to get stuck in our thoughts. We can be stuck in the past, present, or future.

Past

A problem that comes up when we are stuck in the past is that we torture ourselves by reliving things that can no longer be changed. We are embarrassed, worry about whether people remember certain things, and are just simply harming ourselves.

However, it is important to use the past to help us not repeat mistakes. It is also wonderful to reflect on how far we and others have come, and how God has answered prayers. When we feel bored or drained, it can be beneficial to remember the good times and feel hopeful for the future.

Next time you feel stuck in the past, I suggest looking ahead towards the future. Start planning out your goals and think about what you can do instead of what you can’t. If you are feeling reminiscent, then focus on how you can learn from the past instead of just beating yourself up on past mistakes.

Present

Being “present” is vital, but there are issues when we get too focused on only the present. It can makes us feel stuck, hopeless, and unmotivated. Especially during a time when we are experiencing new things that are not all pleasant, it’s easy to feel like this time will never end.

However, I promise you, it will. Make the most of the extra time you have with family, and see if there are ways you can reach out to others. We don’t have to let ourselves get stuck. We can change our lives no matter what stage we are in!

Good things about being present in every season is that you are aware of what’s going on around you and you are able to live fully. Enjoy every moment and appreciate all the things that God is doing in your life.

Future

Future thinkers are often either praised or scolded for being too prepared. It can be easy to stress about the future and forget about the present, or even the past, when God has been there for us. It can be hard to pay attention to what’s going on around you when you’re solely focused on what’s next.

Slow down and smell the flowers! Think about what God is doing in the present season, not just the next one. There’s nothing we can do with just worrying. Instead, we need to take action to make the now better for the future.

It’s important to plan and be prepared, but it’s also important to relax and remember that you can’t control everything that’s going to be thrown your way. We don’t have to just accept what happens to us, though. We can use it to help us grow into the people we are meant to be. So if you are busy planning ahead, that’s okay, but also take some time to remember to enjoy the moment before it passes you by.

Seasons

For me, I’ve had some issues being stuck in the present lately. It’s hard to know when this will all be over. But I’ve been trying to use my time in a way that I won’t regret. You may have related to one or more of these ways of thinking, and I know it changes throughout our lives. Just remember that no matter what season you’re in, God is always working, and there are things you can do to improve it if you aren’t feeling satisfied. Don’t miss out on the life God has for you by focusing on what you can’t control.

There’s a season to move on, which can be really hard to do. I often struggle with this, wondering if by moving on, I’m missing out on something. But sometimes God is calling us to do that, because He has something even better waiting for us. Listen to His voice, read the Bible, and see if this is a season of waiting or a season for change.

If you’re going through a rough time right now, I hope you can feel God’s presence today. People care about you and love you. This will not last forever, I promise.

For those of you thriving right now, that’s wonderful! I hope that you are able to spend time enjoying this season and don’t worry too much about when it will end. All good things do have to end, but that’s only so that we can move on to something even greater.

So, make the most of the season you’re in! It’s a gift from God, whether it be fond memories or a time to learn.

“For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven. A time to be born and a time to die. A time to plant and a time to harvest. A time to kill and a time to heal.”

Ecclesiastics 3:1-8