Finding God in Every Season of Life

Devotional

Day 1: Embracing the Rhythm of Breaking Down and Building Up

There are seasons in life for both breaking down and building up, and recognizing this rhythm helps us avoid the extremes of constant depletion or unexamined growth. Just as muscles need both exercise and rest to grow stronger, our spiritual and emotional lives require times of challenge and times of restoration. If we only focus on breaking down, we risk spiraling into exhaustion and emptiness; if we only build without reflection, we may construct on shaky foundations not set by God. Embracing both sides of this rhythm allows us to grow in wisdom and resilience, trusting that God is present in every season. [06:36]

Ecclesiastes 3:1, 3b (ESV)
For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: ... a time to break down, and a time to build up;

Reflection: What is one area of your life right now where you sense God inviting you either to let something go or to begin something new? How can you prayerfully discern which season you are in?

Day 2: Blessed Are Those Who Mourn

Acknowledging our suffering and grief is not a sign of weakness but a path to blessing, as Jesus teaches that those who mourn will be comforted. Rather than denying or suppressing pain, we are invited to bring our honest emotions before God, trusting that He sees, understands, and promises comfort. Embracing our brokenness opens us to God’s healing presence and allows us to experience His compassion in the midst of our struggles. [09:40]

Matthew 5:1-6, 10 (ESV)
Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him. And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

Reflection: When was the last time you allowed yourself to truly grieve or feel sorrow before God? What would it look like to invite Him into that space today?

Day 3: God’s Presence in Every Season

God promises to be with us in every moment—whether we are in the midst of joy, sorrow, laughter, or mourning. Even when we cannot see Him or feel His presence, He is walking beside us, sometimes carrying us through our darkest times. Like the poem “Footprints in the Sand” reminds us, God does not abandon us in our trials; instead, He is closest when we feel most alone, offering comfort, strength, and hope. [12:03]

Deuteronomy 31:6 (ESV)
Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.

Reflection: Recall a difficult season in your life—can you look back now and see how God was present with you, even if you didn’t recognize it at the time?

Day 4: Discerning the Right Time for Every Action

Life is full of transitions, and wisdom comes from discerning what is appropriate in each moment—whether it is time to mourn or to laugh, to keep or to let go, to speak or to remain silent. Listening to God and to our own hearts helps us navigate these transitions with grace, generosity, and faithfulness. By seeking God’s guidance, we can respond to each season with openness and trust, knowing that He leads us through every change. [15:44]

James 1:5 (ESV)
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.

Reflection: What transition or decision are you facing right now? Take a moment to ask God for wisdom and listen for His guidance about what is needed in this season.

Day 5: Finding Peace Through Breath and Prayer

In the chaos and anxiety of life, pausing to breathe deeply and invite the Holy Spirit to fill us can bring a sense of peace and calm. Breath prayers and mindful moments help us release our fears and worries, making space for God’s presence to wash over us like rain and guide us through our day. Practicing this simple act of breathing and praying can become a powerful tool for experiencing God’s peace, even in the midst of storms. [03:44]

Philippians 4:6-7 (ESV)
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Reflection: Try a breath prayer today—breathe in slowly, naming your anxiety or fear, and breathe out, inviting the Holy Spirit to fill you with peace. How does this practice affect your sense of God’s presence?

Sermon Summary

Life is full of seasons—times of joy and laughter, but also moments of mourning, anxiety, and uncertainty. In the midst of these changing times, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed or lost, especially when the storms of life seem relentless. Yet, there is a simple, powerful practice that can help us reconnect with God’s presence: pausing to breathe deeply, inviting the Holy Spirit to fill us, and remembering that we are never alone. Just as athletes must balance exertion with rest to grow stronger, we too must learn to honor both the times of breaking down and the times of building up in our spiritual journey.

Ecclesiastes reminds us that there is a time for everything—a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance. We are not meant to rush through or ignore our pain, nor are we called to force joy when our hearts are heavy. Jesus himself blesses those who mourn and acknowledges the reality of suffering. It is not weakness to grieve or to feel anxious; rather, it is an invitation to bring our whole selves before God, trusting that He meets us in every emotion and every season.

God’s promise is not that we will be spared from hardship, but that He will be with us through it all. The familiar poem “Footprints in the Sand” beautifully illustrates this truth: in our lowest moments, when we see only one set of footprints, it is then that God carries us. Even when we cannot see or feel Him, He is present—guiding, comforting, and sustaining us. Sometimes, in the midst of chaos, it helps to look back and ask, “Where was God working in this?” Often, we discover that He was closer than we realized, weaving hope and healing into our story.

As we move through the different seasons of life, we are called to discern what is needed in each moment—whether it’s generosity, patience, silence, or action. By listening to God and being attentive to the transitions He brings, we can find peace and purpose, even in uncertainty. No matter where we are—on the mountaintop or in the valley—God is right beside us, holding our hand or carrying us when we cannot walk on our own.

Key Takeaways

1. Embracing the Practice of Breath and Presence Taking time to pause, breathe deeply, and invite the Holy Spirit into our anxiety or fear is a powerful way to reconnect with God’s presence. This simple act can bring calm in the midst of chaos and remind us that we are not alone, even when it takes time to feel peace. Breath prayers can become a spiritual anchor in turbulent times. [03:44]
2. The Necessity of Both Breaking Down and Building Up Just as muscles require both exertion and rest to grow, our spiritual lives need seasons of both breaking down and building up. If we only focus on one, we risk either burnout or stagnation. God uses both the hard and the joyful times to shape us, and we must honor the rhythm He sets rather than forcing our own. [06:36]
3. The Uniqueness of Our Journeys and Emotions Each person’s experience of grief, joy, or transition is unique, and there is no set timetable for healing or celebration. Comparing our journey to others can lead to frustration or discouragement. Instead, we are called to listen to God and discern what is appropriate for our own season, trusting that He knows our hearts intimately. [07:32]
4. God’s Presence in Suffering and Joy Scripture and the story of “Footprints in the Sand” affirm that God does not abandon us in our suffering. He blesses those who acknowledge their pain and promises to walk with us, even carrying us when we cannot go on. Our lowest moments are often the times when God’s love is most profound, even if we do not recognize it at the time. [12:03]
5. Discerning God’s Leading in Every Season Life’s transitions—whether times to give, to rest, to speak, or to be silent—require discernment and attentiveness to God’s voice. By reflecting on where God has been present in our past and listening for His guidance in the present, we can move through each season with faith and hope. God is always at work, even when the way forward is unclear. [16:22]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:28] - Childhood Anxiety and Deep Breaths
[02:42] - Breath Prayer and Calming Practices
[03:44] - Guided Breath Prayer
[04:22] - Inviting the Holy Spirit and Finding Peace
[05:18] - Lessons from Muscle Growth and Rest
[06:36] - The Balance of Breaking Down and Building Up
[07:32] - Embracing Unique Journeys and Emotions
[08:57] - The Dangers of Denial and Negativity
[09:40] - Jesus’ Blessing for the Suffering
[10:25] - God’s Promise to Restore and Walk With Us
[11:23] - “Footprints in the Sand” Reflection
[12:03] - God Carries Us in Our Lowest Moments
[13:11] - Joy and Laughter in Mourning
[14:01] - Generosity and Listening to God’s Leading
[14:57] - Reflecting on Ecclesiastes: A Time for Everything
[16:22] - Seeing God in Every Season
[17:15] - God’s Presence in All Our Adventures
[18:17] - Closing and Blessing

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 (ESV) — > 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;
> a time to kill, and a time to heal;
> a time to break down, and a time to build up;
> a time to weep, and a time to laugh;
> a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
> a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
> a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
> a time to seek, and a time to lose;
> a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
> a time to tear, and a time to sew;
> a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
> a time to love, and a time to hate;
> a time for war, and a time for peace.

Matthew 5:1-6, 10 (ESV) — > Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him.
> And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:
> “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
> Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
> Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
> Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
> ...
> Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

Observation Questions

According to Ecclesiastes 3, what are some of the different “times” or seasons that people experience in life? ([15:44])
In Matthew 5, who does Jesus say will be comforted, and what does this suggest about how God views our times of mourning? ([09:40])
The sermon mentions a practice of breath prayer. What is the purpose of this practice, and how was it described? ([03:44])
What does the poem “Footprints in the Sand” illustrate about God’s presence during difficult times? ([12:03])

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think the writer of Ecclesiastes emphasizes that there is a time for both breaking down and building up? How does this relate to our spiritual growth? ([06:36])
The sermon says that “it is not weakness to grieve or to feel anxious.” How does this challenge common ideas about faith and emotions? ([09:40])
How might comparing our journey or healing process to others be unhelpful, according to the sermon? ([07:32])
The speaker encourages looking back to see where God was working in past seasons. Why might this be important for our faith? ([16:22])

Application Questions

The sermon suggests pausing to breathe deeply and invite the Holy Spirit into our anxiety or fear. When was the last time you tried something like this? If you haven’t, what’s one situation this week where you could try a breath prayer? ([03:44])
Think about a current season in your life. Is it more of a time for “breaking down” or “building up”? How can you honor what God is doing in this season instead of forcing yourself to feel or act differently? ([06:36])
Have you ever felt pressure to “move on” from grief or pain faster than you were ready? How did that affect you? What would it look like to give yourself (or someone else) permission to heal at their own pace? ([07:32])
The poem “Footprints in the Sand” says that God carries us in our lowest moments. Can you remember a time when you only realized God was with you after looking back? What helped you see His presence? ([12:03])
The speaker talks about discerning what is needed in each season—generosity, patience, silence, or action. Which of these do you sense God calling you to practice right now? What’s one step you can take this week? ([14:01])
When life feels chaotic or uncertain, what helps you remember that God is with you? Is there a specific practice, verse, or memory that anchors you? ([16:22])
The sermon mentions that God is present whether we are on the mountaintop or in the valley. How can you remind yourself (or someone else) of this truth during both joyful and hard times? ([17:15])

Sermon Clips

The thing is, when we read in Ecclesiastes, we see that there is an importance for each time that we go through our lives. And we read in verse 3b, a time to break down and a time to build up. If we only break down in our lives, we're just going to go into a never -ending spiral and end up getting just broken and just depleted. But if we constantly build, build, build, build, build, and never break down, we might be building on a foundation that isn't set by God. [00:06:54] (37 seconds) #TrustGodsTiming

We only spend our time looking through life with pink tinted sunglasses. We might miss the obstacles we face in front of us. We might miss the troubles that we have coming our way. But if we have stuck in that mindset of only bad things are going to happen to us, we're going to miss the joys of life. We're going to miss the joy that God brings within us. [00:08:44] (24 seconds) #HealingThroughAcknowledgment

``Jesus shows that it is biblical to embrace the suffering that we have. It is not biblical to just stuff it down, to just deny it, or just leave it alone. He blesses those who acknowledges the suffering and the hurt that they are going through. But God also... But God also...promises to heal us, to walk with us, to make a way for us. He will restore our joy after we have mourned. He will rescue us from our torment, and he will never leave us astray. [00:10:02] (42 seconds) #GodWithUsInStorms

We see in this poem God's promise to always be with us. This is true even in scripture. Now we know that in the seasons in our life, he'll be right there in the boat with us. God may not take away the storm, but he promises to be there right there with us. [00:12:27] (23 seconds) #SeasonsOfTheHeart

For example, I remember the last funeral I was at, we were all mourning very deeply because someone we deeply loved was lost. After the service, we're talking, and a story got brought up of our relative who passed away. And in that time of mourning, we were able to have a moment of laughter after remembering a memory of some silly moment that they were doing. And we were able to experience a little bit of joy in a time of almost what felt like complete darkness. It's seeing what is appropriate at the right time and discerning that. [00:13:11] (42 seconds) #GenerosityBeyondMoney

For example, I want to be very generous with, you know, with my money to the church, you thriving, how Jesus taught. It's kind of hard to do that a little bit. when I have to pay for college, making a down payment on a vehicle, and there's so many other expenses I have in my life. But we can be generous in other ways. I can be generous with my time. I can be generous with how I treat other people with love and compassion. And so it's in those moments where we're listening to God, where is this transition coming from? Where is he leading me? [00:14:01] (42 seconds) #FindingGodInChaos

A lot of times, you know, the busyness and the chaos of our lives can get so chaotic that we don't see God in the midst of things. It's at these times where sometimes I like to look back and think, where was God working in this? Where was God working when I didn't have the strength to get out of bed? Where was God working when I was laughing to the point where I was almost crying? where was God working when I felt all hope was lost? [00:16:54] (34 seconds) #GodCarriesUs

Again, sometimes God doesn't take away what we are going through. But God always promises to be there every single step of the way, either holding our hand through it or carrying us through that moment. [00:17:30] (19 seconds) #GodBesideUsAlways

Whether when we climb the mountains or when we walk through the valleys, when we take the many adventures that we have in our lives that can be scary and very exciting, sometimes at the exact same time. But I can promise you God's in every single one of those moments, right there, right beside you. [00:17:48] (24 seconds)

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