“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven” (Ecclesiastes 3:1).
I’m fortunate to live in an area that enjoys four seasons of weather. Or at least I say that when the temperature isn’t freezing me with sub-zero blasts or roasting me with summer’s extreme heat. We have days filled with sunshine, winter snows, stormy days that can form tornados, and days filled with beautiful fall hues as the trees turn. Each season seems to have its good days and some not-so-good days.
We also go through seasons in life. We love to bask in the warmth of summer when life is good and things go our way. Then the season changes and we find ourselves facing the wintry blast of trouble. Winter can be gray and depressing, whether outside our window or inside our soul.
When Bad Things Happen
It’s difficult to understand why bad things happen to good people. At some point someone has probably said to us, “How can a loving God allow such a terrible thing to happen?” We may even ask this ourselves as circumstances threaten to overwhelm us. At such times, it is easy to look heavenward and cry out in frustration and anger, “Why, God? Why me?” Many times, our questions are met with silence.
Someone has said, “When you are at the end of your rope, tie a knot and just hang on.” We may feel that we’ve been hanging there for a long time. At that point, all we can do is trust God. Our resources are used up. We cannot see the total picture or predict the ultimate outcome, but we can trust in the One who does.
Tucked into the Old Testament is a small book by a man named Habakkuk. Judah was in one of those “rope-hanging” experiences when Habakkuk declared his complete faith in God. His prayer is given in chapter three.
“Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls …” (verse 17).
Can you imagine the desperation of the situation? Can it get worse than this?
At that point, when life was at its lowest, the prophet interjected a small but powerful three-letter word: Yet!
“Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The LORD God is my strength” (verses 18-19).
The prophet refused to let a season of life alter his confidence in God.
It is easy to blame God for the troubles we face. The better response, however, is to declare like Habakkuk, “Yet I will rejoice … I will joy in the God of my salvation.” Trust God in whatever season of life you now face. He is trustworthy.
Prayer: God, help me to hold fast to my faith in You during the dark stormy times of uncertainty. I know You will sustain me and keep me safe until I enter a new, brighter season of life. I trust You and know You will see me through. Thank You for Your faithfulness and love.
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