A difficult season can occur at any time. It can leave us feeling exhausted, rejected, heartbroken, and it can really affect us physically and our mental health. I know this through many personal experiences and also currently right now. It can be a really tough and challenging time. But it’s also as I have gone through these difficult seasons, that I learn through those experiences. It doesn’t make each one any easier, but it offers light and hope in a difficult season. 

A favourite verse of mine is from the book of Philippians, chapter 4 verse 13, “I can do all things through Him who gives me strength.” If you are currently going through a difficult season, remember through Christ you are strengthened. This difficult season will get easier, it will get better and you are an overcomer. 

At the time of Paul writing this letter to the church at Philippi, Paul was imprisoned and wrote this letter from a prison cell. He had gone through much suffering but his faith in God always remained strong. “We live in a world of stress and anxiety that all too easily and subtly can steal the peace of God from our hearts. We need an abundant, overflowing joy to flood our souls. The book of philippians is written for that very purpose – to point us to that joy.” Steven J. Lawson. God can and will give us so much peace and joy throughout our lives. When faced in the toughest of situations like Paul was, if we put our trust in God, we will see the light, we will start to feel peace and we will make it through the storm. 

4 Things a Difficult Season Has Taught Me

There’s a purpose to a difficult season. 

I believe that everything happens for a reason, even though sometimes I may not know straight away what that reason is. Throughout my life I have gone through many difficult seasons. And over the years I have really struggled with wondering why something unimaginable and unexpected has happened. Even now I sometimes really struggle when terrible things happen. It can be a complete shock and it can feel as though things will not get better. 

But it’s in these difficult seasons, where so much good can come from them. At the time I can’t even begin to think about the good things in a difficult season, it’s only as I go through them and then start to look back at what I have learned, what I have gained and how this difficult season has helped me, that I slowly start to understand more of why I have gone through this season. And by doing this, it can start to bring healing. 

It helps me to appreciate the little things in life more, the things that I may have taken for granted, to appreciate and be thankful for the happy and good days and the happy memories. And one of the most important things that I have learned through a difficult season, is that it has brought me so much closer to God. 

And when we go through a difficult season, we are able to be a light for others. Although it can feel like we are the only ones going through this, in actual fact there are so many people going through the exact same things. We are able to offer help and advice and to be there for someone who feels alone in what they are going through. 

My faith gives me strength.

In my Bible I keep a little card, which I use as a bookmark, so that each time I open my Bible I can read it, and on it it says, “ God hath not promised skies always blue, flower-strewn pathways all our lives through. God hath not promised sun without rain, joy without sorrow, peace without pain. God hath not promised we shall not know toil and temptation, trouble and woe. He hath not told us we shall not bear many a burden, many a care. But God hath promised strength for the day, rest for the labourer, light for the way. Grace for the trials, help from above, unfailing sympathy, undying love.” 

It’s such a wonderful reminder of God’s love for us. Throughout our lives we will go through difficult seasons, it’s almost unavoidable, but what we can take from that, is God’s promises. His promises to help us, to give us strength, light our way when our path is covered in darkness, to go through a difficult season with us and fill us with his everlasting love. 

I have found that when going through a difficult season, by reading scripture, God’s wonderful promises, listening to worship music, opening my Bible app, reading some of my favourite books by Christian authors, it gives me the strength to carry on and get through this difficult season. When I’m feeling lost, unsure and anxious, it’s so wonderful what reading just a few verses from the Bible can do. It helps me to hold on to hope, feel God’s love and to know that He is with me.

“He can lift darkness and replace it with light. He can exchange hopelessness with hope. He can turn your mourning into dancing.” Inkspired By Nikki.

It is Through God’s strength that I am able to hold on to hope, that I am able to forgive and I am able to see the light in the dark.

I’m not alone.

When going through a difficult season, it can feel so easy to feel alone during the midst of a storm. But it’s so important to remember that you are not alone. Knowing God is there with me helps to bring peace and comfort. No matter what we may be going through, God is right there with us and He’s not going anywhere. One of my favourite verses from the Bible is –

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10.

And this such a wonderful and powerful verse for when we are feeling alone and afraid. It’s such an amazing promise from God, telling us that He will strengthen us, He will uphold us and that we shouldn’t be afraid or dismayed, because God is for us. God is good and his love for us is everlasting. 

A few things I like to do when I am feeling alone, which I find to be very helpful, is to do some Bible journaling, read scripture, pop on some worship music, watch TBN UK on TV, open my Bible app and to also read a daily devotional. I find that doing each one of these to be really comforting and helps me to not feel alone. 

The storm will pass.

When we are in the midst of a storm, it can be so hard to even think that this storm will pass. Even sometimes now when I’m in a difficult season I struggle, and I struggle to make sense of the things that have happened. But it’s also my faith that gives me the strength to carry on and to keep holding on to hope. I look back at the times when I have been in a difficult season and each time God has helped me to get through them. God is so faithful.

“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.” Isaiah 43:2.

I also always find that after a difficult season has passed, I learn more about myself. I learned that I need to put my full trust in God and that things will happen in God’s own perfect timing. In the past I have stumbled and reacted badly to a difficult situation. As my faith has grown and I have gone through many difficult seasons, it has helped me to grow. It made me aware of the things that I wasn’t doing correctly and my reactions towards difficult situations, which wasn’t healthy and is still something that I am working on even now. But with God’s strength, He gets me through and the storm will pass.

What are the things that you have learned from going through a difficult season?

Take a look at these 15 wonderful promises of God which definitely help during a difficult season. I pray that each one will help you and that you feel God’s love and presence all around you. 

“Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path.” Psalm 119:105.

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