Embracing Life's Seasons: Trusting God's Timing

 

Summary

In life, we often find ourselves overwhelmed by the multitude of responsibilities and challenges that come our way. I remember a time when I was starting a church, raising young children, and supporting my husband as he completed his doctorate. It felt like too much to handle, and I found myself questioning how to manage it all. During this time, a mentor of mine, Mrs. Waldi, reached out to me unexpectedly. She offered me a simple yet profound piece of advice: "This is only a season. This too will pass." Her words were a balm to my weary soul, reminding me that the struggles I faced were temporary and that God had a plan for me.

Mrs. Waldi's encouragement led me to reflect on the different seasons of my life and how each one, no matter how challenging, eventually passed. As my ministry grew, I encountered many women who were experiencing similar feelings of being overwhelmed. They often asked, "Will I ever get through this? How long will this last?" I was able to share with them the same comforting message that had been given to me: "This too will pass."

This message is not only personal but also biblical. The story of Esther is a powerful example of enduring through difficult seasons. Esther, like many of us, must have wondered how long she would remain single or how long she would have to wait before approaching King Ahasuerus. Yet, through her patience and faith, she fulfilled her purpose. Her story, along with my own experiences, inspired me to write a book to encourage others facing similar trials.

Key Takeaways:

1. Life's challenges are temporary, and each season will eventually pass. Embrace the journey, knowing that God has a purpose for every phase of your life. Trust in His timing and remain steadfast in your faith. [00:44]

2. The support of a mentor or a trusted friend can provide invaluable guidance and encouragement during overwhelming times. Seek out those who can offer wisdom and perspective, and be open to their counsel. [00:17]

3. Reflecting on past seasons can offer insight and hope for the present. Remembering how God has brought you through previous challenges can strengthen your faith and provide reassurance that He will do so again. [01:17]

4. The story of Esther teaches us about patience and purpose. Even when the path seems unclear, God is working behind the scenes to fulfill His plans for us. Trust in His sovereignty and remain faithful. [01:44]

5. Sharing your experiences can be a source of encouragement for others. By opening up about your struggles and victories, you can offer hope and support to those who are walking through similar seasons. [01:17]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:17] - Overwhelmed by Life's Seasons
[00:44] - A Mentor's Timely Advice
[01:17] - Sharing the Message with Others
[01:44] - Lessons from Esther
[02:00] - Conclusion and Encouragement

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Esther 4:14 - "For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?"
2. Ecclesiastes 3:1 - "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens."

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Observation Questions:
1. What was the advice that Mrs. Waldi gave to the speaker during her overwhelming season, and how did it impact her? [00:44]
2. How did the speaker relate her personal experiences to the story of Esther? [01:17]
3. What common question did the speaker hear from other women, and how did she respond to it? [01:17]

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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the story of Esther illustrate the concept of enduring through difficult seasons and trusting in God's timing? [01:44]
2. In what ways can reflecting on past seasons of life provide insight and hope for current challenges? [01:17]
3. How might the support of a mentor or trusted friend influence one's ability to navigate overwhelming times? [00:17]

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Application Questions:
1. Think about a current challenge you are facing. How can the reminder that "this too will pass" change your perspective on this situation? [00:44]
2. Identify a mentor or trusted friend in your life. How can you seek their guidance and support during overwhelming times? [00:17]
3. Reflect on a past season where you felt overwhelmed. How did God bring you through it, and how can that experience strengthen your faith now? [01:17]
4. Consider the story of Esther. What steps can you take to trust in God's purpose for your life, even when the path seems unclear? [01:44]
5. How can you share your personal experiences of overcoming challenges to encourage others who might be going through similar situations? [01:17]
6. What practical steps can you take to embrace the current season of your life, trusting that God has a purpose for it? [00:44]

Devotional

Day 1: Embrace the Temporality of Life's Challenges
Life is filled with seasons, each bringing its own set of challenges and responsibilities. It is easy to feel overwhelmed when faced with multiple demands, but it is important to remember that these challenges are temporary. Just as the seasons change, so too will the circumstances in your life. Trust that God has a purpose for every phase, and His timing is perfect. Embrace the journey, knowing that the struggles you face will eventually pass. [00:44]

"For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted." (Ecclesiastes 3:1-2, ESV)

Reflection: What current challenge in your life can you view as a temporary season? How can you trust God’s purpose in this phase?


Day 2: Seek Wisdom from Mentors
In times of overwhelming stress, the guidance of a mentor or trusted friend can be invaluable. These individuals can offer wisdom, perspective, and encouragement when you need it most. Be open to their counsel and seek out those who can provide support during difficult times. Their insights can help you navigate through life's challenges with greater clarity and confidence. [00:17]

"Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety." (Proverbs 11:14, ESV)

Reflection: Who is a mentor or trusted friend you can reach out to for guidance today? How can their perspective help you in your current situation?


Day 3: Reflect on Past Seasons for Strength
Reflecting on past seasons of life can provide valuable insights and hope for the present. Remembering how God has brought you through previous challenges can strengthen your faith and reassure you that He will do so again. Take time to look back on your journey and recognize the ways God has been faithful, using those experiences to bolster your trust in His continued guidance. [01:17]

"Remember the days of old; consider the years of many generations; ask your father, and he will show you, your elders, and they will tell you." (Deuteronomy 32:7, ESV)

Reflection: What past experience can you recall where God brought you through a difficult time? How does this memory encourage you in your current situation?


Day 4: Trust in God's Sovereignty and Purpose
The story of Esther is a testament to patience and purpose. Even when the path seems unclear, God is working behind the scenes to fulfill His plans. Trust in His sovereignty and remain faithful, knowing that He is orchestrating events for your good and His glory. Like Esther, your patience and faith can lead to the fulfillment of your purpose in God's perfect timing. [01:44]

"The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps." (Proverbs 16:9, ESV)

Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to trust God’s sovereignty more fully? How can you practice patience as you wait for His plans to unfold?


Day 5: Share Your Journey to Encourage Others
Sharing your experiences, both struggles and victories, can be a powerful source of encouragement for others. By opening up about your journey, you can offer hope and support to those who are walking through similar seasons. Your story can be a testament to God's faithfulness and a reminder that they are not alone in their struggles. [01:17]

"Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing." (1 Thessalonians 5:11, ESV)

Reflection: Who in your life could benefit from hearing about your experiences? How can you share your story to offer them hope and encouragement today?

Quotes


I was going through several different seasons in my life. It seemed like life was just overwhelming. We're starting a church, I had young children, my husband's finishing his doctorate, and I just threw my hands up one day and said, "This is too much." And there was a mentor in my life. [00:00:00]

Mrs. Waldi mentored me through seminary, and she called one day out of the blue and said, "Lois how are you doing?" And I told her all my woes. "Life is just overwhelming, but I really believe God called me to all of this, but how do I maneuver through it, how do I manage it?" [00:17:31]

And she said, "Lois, I'm gonna come take you to Bible study. You do need to get out of the house and do something a little different." And she actually drove from North Dallas to where I live, which is probably 45 minutes, to take me to a Bible study that she was teaching. [00:31:28]

And as we drove, I started sharing with her on my heart because, again, she mentored me so we had a great relationship. And so as we were talking, she said to me, "Lois, this is only a season. This too will pass." And I never forgot that. [00:50:03]

So I started making notes of my seasons in life, and then as ministry grew for us, I started hearing women saying the same thing. "Will I ever get through? How long will this last?" And as I minister to women, the same question was being asked. [00:60:24]

And so I was able to tell them the same thing. This too will pass. And God just put it in my spirit to share it in a book. My experiences along with the story and lesson of Esther, because I'm sure she asked Mordecai the same thing. [00:72:47]

"How long am I gonna be single? And how long am I gonna have to deal with King Ahasuerus before I could go into him, which you have instructed me to do? How long?" How long? Again, to women all around the country, this too will pass. [00:91:33]

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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?