Sunny Florida hasn’t been so sunny lately. It has rained for over two weeks with only a tiny peek of the sun here or there. In my 15 years of living here, this has never happened. Even when it rains, the sun has always come out to shine bright at some point in the day. I have to admit, I’m really missing the sunshine and looking forward to the rays breaking through the clouds once again.
This reminds me of when we go through difficult seasons in our lives. It may feel like the clouds of darkness are just looming over us and cause us to wonder when the sun will ever shine again. I can recall times like this in my own life. I spent a lot of time waiting and wondering when the breakthrough would come and the season of difficulty would end. Over the years, I have learned to be a little more patient, meditating on God’s goodness and faithfulness and trusting that God will not only take me through what I’m facing, but cause me to come out even better for it.
The end of last year was a one of these seasons for me. I had prayed for the Lord to go deeper in my life so that He could take me to a higher place in Him. God has done so much in my life, yet I know as long as I’m on this earth, He’s wanting more for me and to finish that good work in my life (Philippians 1:6). To be honest though, I didn’t realize just what I was asking for. It was an intense time. It was an uncomfortable time. It wasn’t what I expected and it didn’t make sense. I felt helpless, like I couldn’t do anything to ease my discomfort, and yet that’s right where God wanted me to be. He wanted me to allow Him to do a deep, uncomfortable work in me and trust Him in the midst of it. It was in my surrendering and allowing Him to do that work, that healing and transformation would come. There are areas inside each of us that God wants to touch, heal and transform, so that we can experience more of His wonderful freedom in our lives.
It was through this season, that God revealed a new part of His character to me. He was the God who could shake everything apart and then remold it into something better and even more beautiful. That season did come to an end for me, and the sun shone once again. Now, I can look back and say, “Thank you God! Great is your faithfulness!”
What difficulties are you facing now? Does it feel like this season will never end? Does it not make sense to you? Does it feel like you are helpless? I want to encourage you that God is with you. God says to us in Hebrews 13:5b, “I will never leave you. I will never forsake you.” It may seem like this night of sorrow is going to last forever, but God promises that joy will once again come, and He will turn your mourning into dancing (Psalm 30:5, 11-12).
Thank you for sharing as God broke through your clouds! The discomfort and waiting is something we can all relate to as God shakes things up a bit so that He can rebuild! Blessing, my dear sister in Christ!
Amen! I love your feedback. Thanks Missy!