For everything there is a time and a season!

By Kadeen Edwards

"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.”
‭‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭3‬:‭1‬-‭8‬ ‭NIV‬

It’s so true that a season of hard times can come upon us and we’ll still have faith because we know that God is working on our behalf for our good. However it becomes difficult when we have an idea that this suffering will end in a certain time, yet it continues. It becomes harder to believe that this too shall pass. 


    I have been in a season like this for a while now. On really good days it’s easy to see God and believe that he’s got me and everything will be okay. Then there’s the days that are much harder and one bad thing happens after another. I think where are you God? I love and desire you, why is this all happening to me? Will it never end? I say to him "Haven’t I suffered enough?"… and so much more. 
    
     Then I hear… "What if this season never ends? Will you still love me? Will you still love others even when they hurt you? Will you still serve others even when they don’t acknowledge your service?" In Job 2:10 Job says to his wife ”Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?” 


    When I think about these questions I am reminded that Jesus faced all these challenges and he followed through with all God had called him to do. He was obedient unto death. I am so blessed in many ways in this season of hardships there are many great and amazing things happening. I’m reminded God hasn’t left me it’s just that this season is testing my faith. 


    It says in James 1:2-4 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.