Finding God in Every Season of Life

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

1. According to Ecclesiastes 3, what are some of the different “times” or seasons that people experience in life? ([15:44])
2. 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])
3. The sermon mentions a practice of breath prayer. What is the purpose of this practice, and how was it described? ([03:44])
4. What does the poem “Footprints in the Sand” illustrate about God’s presence during difficult times? ([12:03])

1. 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])
2. 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])
3. How might comparing our journey or healing process to others be unhelpful, according to the sermon? ([07:32])
4. The speaker encourages looking back to see where God was working in past seasons. Why might this be important for our faith? ([16:22])

1. 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])
2. 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])
3. 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])
4. 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])
5. 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])
6. 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])
7. 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])