Seasons

Written by cycleguy on August 23rd, 2016

I started reading this book about a week or so ago but put it aside for this one. I have a bad habit of doing that sometimes but in this case I needed to. The Grace Effect is by the same man who wrote “Hitch” and it talks about his adopted daughter, Sasha, from Ukraine. Now that I have finished a puzzle for a teacher-friend who is teaching a whole unit on it, I can spend some time reading.  (Yeah…Jo says I get obsessed when I am working a puzzle. I don’t agree. Just because I did this one in less than 5 days does not prove she is right).

Anyway, back to When Trouble Comes (the book I put down). The author, Philip Ryken, says some things just in the Prologue which I know will draw me back to this book when I’m done with the other.

“Would you like to know some of the things that helped me? The first was this: I knew that what I was going through was totally and completely normal.” (p.15) 

Oftentimes when we are going through something, we feel alone. No one understands. No one else has experienced what I’m experiencing. Not true!

Here was a gem: All of this leads to seasons of doubt, discouragement, and depression as a normal part of life in a fallen world. When trouble comes, this does not mean that I am a bad Christian. Nor does it mean that God is against me, although sometimes it may feel that way. (p.16)

I have spent time recently with several people who are suffering in various ways. I try hard to show them they are not alone. They are not bad Christians. They are not being rejected by God for some sin in the past. God doesn’t hold grudges.

If you are going through a tough time right now, don’t give up. You are not alone. This is a season of growth (if you let it). Be encouraged by a loving Father.

I’m also going through a season of not having much time to write. I apologize for that. Hopefully this season will be over soon.

 

9 Comments so far ↓

  1. Linda Stoll says:

    Giving a suffering soul the knowledge that they are not alone is a beautiful offering …

  2. Betty Draper says:

    Good encouragement Bill. Love the second quote, may use it on my fb. God is never against us, He is not even against a non christian. He love them and us more then we our human minds can usually believe. I am working with a women right now who is struggling accepting that God accepts her. Once a person gets their eye on themselves it’s a fast slide into despair and depression. Everyone seems more spiritual when you see through despair as you slide down to the pit. She was beginning to look like she lived in a pit. A friend and I said it’s time for a new hair cut and some color. Can’t wait to see the results. Good post brother.

    • cycleguy says:

      Thanks Betty. There are times we all need a makeover. if people could only understand He does love them, even the non-believer but their ears seem to be closed.

  3. I so needed your words of encouragement today, Bill. Thank you for letting us know that none of us go it alone in our suffering and troubles.
    Blessings!

  4. floyd says:

    That’s excellent advice.

    I think it takes a selfish perspective to assume that no one else has ever gone down any path we walk on… None of us are going to heaven in a chariot…

  5. Jeff Harris says:

    If it is puzzle season I understand. Not much time to write. OK with me.

  6. TC Avey says:

    I just read a post by a different blogger about seasons of our lives…it’s making me think of the season I am in- Spring!
    New things are happening and more will follow. For a few years I’ve been working through a season of winter and feeling on the verge of breaking into the freshness of spring. While my life is not “sunshine and roses”, I feel life. Im feeling renewed. I’m ready for the next chapter.
    And I know God has something in store for me, some ways He will use my winter season to help someone else who is walking through a though time.