Spiritual seasons of ife

Embrace and “hug” the new spiritual season!

Have you ever tried to fit into jeans that no longer fit? It’s one of the most frustrating experiences one can have. Trust me, I know! It drives me crazy.  Just think of it: something that was once cozy, super comfortable, and even cute is no longer working for you. I’m going to tie this into your spiritual seasons of life: keep reading. 🙂

You’ve had a history with those jeans.

You remember how great you looked in them. Those jeans are comfy. They are cozy. They are familiar. When they no longer fit, you feel like screaming BOO!!! Well, at least I do. But, if you’re like me, it’s not long before you realize it is what it is. 

You’ve gotta accept the reality and buy bigger jeans.

Sure, the jeans used to fit you, but now, they cause you discomfort and angst – both physically and emotionally. Ugh!

You know, the same thing sort of happens when we change life seasons, right?

Spiritual Season of Life for Christians

Some things that were once comfortable and commonplace [in our lives] can morph into something that generates unease, discomfort, and even sadness – just like the “too tight” jeans.

Your “something” could be a relationship, an attitude, a living situation, a job, or even the way you’ve always done your prayer time (this was a big one for me).

The bottom line is seasons change as we grow and mature. Sometimes, our surroundings simply grow and mature. Either way, change happens; no matter what, you must deal with it.

We must adapt and change with the things that cease to look familiar in our lives. If we don’t, we can restrict the circulation of joy and peace in our lives, just like trying to wear those tight jeans. Circulation will be affected…especially after lunch at Olive Garden.

Anyway, the end result is being “stuck”.

Have you ever felt “stuck” in life? It’s like the driest, most unfulfilling state of being. You begin to feel as though you’re simply “going through the motions” of life.

You wonder if there is more. You hope there is more. You dread getting out of bed. You feel stuck, drained, and empty.

Often, the reason you feel this way is that you’re “stuck,” and your spiritual circulation is cut off.

You’re not creative. You’re not challenged.

When you feel this way, ask yourself:

Is there something God has deposited into my heart to do, start, try, or venture toward?

If so, your ticket from “stuck-ville” is hidden in your obedience to do it. He has changed your season. You’ve outlived the usefulness of the “familiar.” It’s time to endeavor beyond your current life situation.

Christian spiritual seasons are like different phases in our faith journey. They’re similar to the changing seasons in nature and greatly impact our spiritual growth and connection with God.

Season one: Spring

First, there’s the season of spring, which can be characteristic of a time of new beginnings and renewal. This is common when you’re a brand-new Christian.

See, you could be a seasoned Christian who may experience a fresh sense of faith, an awakening of spiritual awareness, and a willingness to let go of old habits or burdens. I don’t think you have to be a new Christian to experience this season, but often that’s when it occurs.

I view it as a time for planting seeds of hope, embracing God’s grace, and experiencing the joy of growth in faith.

Season Two: the Summer Season of Christianity

Summer follows Spring (right?), representing a season of abundance and spiritual maturity.

Here, you bask in the warmth of God’s love and guidance, bearing fruit in your life through various acts of service and compassion and a deeper understanding of God’s Word. It’s a season of spiritual harvest, where the seeds sown in Spring begin to yield bountiful results.

I also believe it can represent the time when God provides more seed to the sower.

He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness.

2 Corinthians 9:10 English Standard Version 2016 (ESV)

Season three: Autumn

Then comes Autumn, a season of reflection and change.

It’s a time for spiritual introspection, allowing individuals to let go of what no longer serves them, much like trees shedding their leaves. This season invites Christians to reevaluate their priorities, seek forgiveness, and deepen their relationship with God by embracing a spirit of humility and gratitude.

The Final Season, Winter

Finally, there’s Winter, a season of trials and perseverance. Much like the challenges that the natural world faces in Winter, this spiritual season calls for endurance, faith in the midst of adversity, and trust in God’s plan. It’s a time of learning to find beauty and meaning even in the most challenging circumstances, often leading to a strengthened, resilient faith.

Christian spiritual seasons offer a profound framework for understanding the ebb and flow of faith. They remind us that our relationship with God evolves, and each season has its unique lessons and gifts to offer, ultimately leading to a deeper, more mature faith journey.

Why we must embrace spiritual seasons of life…

Face it.

God may have matured you beyond your current “place,” and you will only repeatedly frustrate yourself if you insist on trying to make the old things “fit.”

It’s as frustrating as trying to fit into a pair of size six jeans when you’re now a size 14 (and I can relate very well to that example). 🙂

Trying to make things “fit” is just an exercise in madness.

Don’t do that to yourself.

Instead, pray about what God wants you to do in this new [or impending] season and press toward that. It’s not easy. Sometimes, the “new” is scary. It’s as scary as me starting my new YouTube channel.

Your “new” could be as simple as writing the vision down in your journal.

Writing things down is the first step toward bringing something from the imaginary or ethereal into our current reality. Remember Habakkuk 2:2?

Maybe God will first guide you spiritually to let go of the past.

This could be nothing more than the emotional exercise of mentally releasing that thing that was once very comfortable. That’s how to progress to the future spiritual seasons – let go and ask Him to help you.

Ask the Holy Spirit to show you what to do in all spiritual seasons. He will guide you.

When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. 1 Corinthians 13:11 says it all! Click To Tweet

Tips that help me embrace the spiritual seasons of life:

1. Reconcile that you are a pearl of great price to the Lord, and He gave all for you.

He has great plans for you!

He means you nothing but good and will ensure you succeed if you trust and obey Him. In other words – don’t be scared. Sure, a big vision for your life or new season can be frightening initially, but, embrace it and trust your God.

He will be with you every step of the way!

Ask Him about your “exit strategy” as you enter your new spiritual season.

Ask Him about your “exit strategy” as you enter your new spiritual season.

Ask Him about your “exit strategy” as you enter your new spiritual season.

Ask Him about your “exit strategy” as you enter your new spiritual season.

“He may reveal it now; then again, He may not. Yet, ask Him how you will disentangle yourself from situations, circumstances, and even people in order to walk in your “next.” He may reveal it now; then again, He may not. Yet, ask Him how you will disentangle yourself from situations, circumstances, and even people in order to walk in your “next.” He may reveal it now; then again, He may not. Yet, ask Him how you will disentangle yourself from situations, circumstances, and even people in order to walk in your “next.”He may reveal it now; then again, He may not. Yet, ask Him how you will disentangle yourself from situations, circumstances, and even people in order to walk in your “next.”

God will position and remove people and ensure everything transitions smoothly.

Then, all you have to do is trust Him to open the door at the right time and give you the courage to walk through it!

3. Resign to the fact that your life is not your own.

In the end, only His plans matter. He’s God! Trust Him. Calling Jesus Lord is so much easier than making Him Lord.

I call these transition seasons “spiritual seasons,” but, really, it’s just about being obedient to do exactly what He is calling you to do and being where He wants you to be.

We can call Him the Lord of our lives, but the minute He wants to “shake things up,” we resist. Silly us! If Jesus is Lord at all in your world, He is Lord of all as well. Surrender. Obey. Do what He says – even if you’re scared.

Meditate on God’s Words to get comfort and strength to move forward.

After doing the above three things that have worked for me, be still.

Exercise the maturity to wait on God’s leading and direction simply.

Truthfully, this can be the most difficult part, but you can do it with the power of the Holy Spirit.

“His perfect timing is the yang to whatever He calls you to do. I guess the”call” itself is the yin in this analogy.”His perfect timing is the yang to whatever He calls you to do. I guess the “call” itself is the yin in this analogy.

Note: I know I’m not the best writer. I’m not even the best podcaster, but I’m doing what I know God told me to do. I want to embrace my spiritual seasons. The first step to obedience is just DOING IT!

Anyhoo, as you move into your new spiritual season of life, embrace what’s ahead, prepare for the change, and submit to God’s authority. Amen?

Be ready for your spiritual season. Move toward it!

But I, brothers, could not address you as spiritual people, but as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ. I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it.” 1 Corinthians 3:1-” “But I, brothers, could not address you as spiritual people, but as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ. I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it.” 1 Corinthians 3:1-