The Seasons of Our Lives - when God suddenly leads you into a new season that isn’t pleasant and you weren’t expecting, you probably catch yourself asking, “Why am I going through this? Why right now?” We all go through seasons of life, and sometimes we can point to a specific moment that marks a new period of life. Sometimes we struggle and get anxious as God gently directs us toward his good purposes. People often assume that God is going to rescue us from our season of grief or loss or suffering. Sometimes he does. More often he doesn’t.Trusting his sovereignty sounds all good and well until we have to reckon with the idea that pain may go hand-in-hand with his directions for our lives

We all go through seasons of life, and sometimes we can point to a specific moment that marks a new period of life. 

Recently, I entered a new season. 

My father passed away, fairly abruptly, last year.

Something fundamental in your world shifts when you lose a parent, regardless of what age you are. 

When God suddenly leads you into a new season that isn’t pleasant and you weren’t expecting, you probably catch yourself asking, “Why am I going through this?

Why right now?” 

Or you might be somebody who says, “All right, God. How long do I have to grit my teeth and bear it before I get out of this?”

One of the most commonly quoted verses when Christians go through tough seasons is “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope” - (Jeremiah 29:11, ESV). 

People often read or declare this verse with the assumption that God is going to rescue us from our season of grief or loss or suffering. 

Sometimes he does. 

More often he doesn’t. 

People often don’t know the context of that verse in Jeremiah. 

The prophet was writing to the exiles who had just witnessed their nation being sacked by Babylon. 

They fully expected God to rescue them and send them back home. 

Instead, Jeremiah heard this order from God for his people: 

“Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat their produce … multiply there, and do not decrease.

"But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare” - (Jeremiah 29:5-7).

What if suffering and discomfort play a part in God’s loving plan? 

Sometimes we struggle and get anxious as God gently directs us toward his good purposes. 

Trusting his sovereignty sounds all good and well until we have to reckon with the idea that pain may go hand-in-hand with his directions for our lives.

I wish I’d had more time with my Dad. 

I have to sit with my loss; but I seek the welfare of the places where God sends me. 

I trust the sovereignty of God to work in and through my grief in this new season. 

Whatever season you’re in, I hope you do too. 

By John Bailey

World Challenge Daily Devotions 

David Wilkerson was called to New York City in 1958 to minister to gang members and drug addicts, as told in the best-selling book The Cross and the Switchblade. He went on to create Teen Challenge and World Challenge, Inc. to minister to people’s spiritual and physical needs. In 1987, he established Times Square Church. As its founding pastor, he faithfully led this congregation, delivering powerful biblical messages that encourage righteous living and complete reliance on God. David Wilkerson also had a strong burden to encourage his fellow pastors. He founded the Summit International School of Ministry; and from 1999 to 2008, he held international conferences to strengthen church leaders. His passion to support believers, build up leaders and care for the poor is still at the heart of World Challenge’s ministries to this day.

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