Resting in the Hard Seasons

To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven. (Ecclesiastes 3:1 NKJV)

I’m starting to realize it’s good for me to view my life in seasons. Just as the earth experiences spring, summer, fall, and winter, we too have seasons in our lives. Some are full and bounteous, some bitter and cold. I believe both are necessary for a healthy spiritual life. If we never experience hard seasons, we will never long for heaven. God always seems to remind us of this when we lose sight of his kingdom.

In order for the apple tree to produce apples in summer, it needs to rest during its time of dormancy and prepare for the spring blooming and summer harvest. During the winter, the apple tree stands straight and tall, withstanding the cold temperatures while remaining dormant and still.

The more seasons the apple tree experiences, the more it matures. Its roots dig deeper and deeper into the ground, making its foundation strong and sure. Just when it seems the tree is independent and strong, the orchard master comes and prunes the branches until there appears to be no hope of new growth left. The tree looks as if it has been stripped of everything, but those mature roots in the ground are pulling nutrients from deep within the earth, saving up for growth in the warm months to come.

I’ve found myself in some hard seasons during the past five years, from struggling with infertility to finally having a baby and then experiencing severe postpartum depression and anxiety. I can now honestly say those seasons were an asset to my spiritual growth. In the middle of those seasons, I couldn’t see any beauty or growth. The air was so lifeless and bitter, there seemed to be no end to the cold. Other mothers around me seemed to be full of life and bearing fruit. There I stood, in an endless blizzard, fighting to remain standing.

I learned so many things during the years of that cold winter season. I learned to rest in God’s everlasting arms because it was the only thing I could do. The more I tried to fix my agony, the more discouraged I became when I couldn’t fix it.  I needed to rest in him and his promises and lie dormant. I found ways to withstand that cold winter season, most of which I credit to those who stood beside me and understood the storm I was facing. They could see beyond the storm and reminded me of the promise of warmer weather to come.

The storm let up after a few years, and now I see the beauty in ordinary things I couldn’t see before. My eyes have been opened to savor moments I once took for granted. When you are facing mostly darkness, little glimmers of warmth and light seem to shine twice as bright. You grab onto those moments of warmth and savor them like you never have before.

My friend, if you are in a hard season, know that the sun does eventually shine and new leaves do start to grow. Rest and lean on his everlasting arms. If you are in a bounteous summer season, enjoy each moment and tuck away bits of that season to carry you through the next winter season you may face.

“For lo, the winter is past, The rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth; The time of singing has come, And the voice of the turtledove Is heard in our land” (Song of Solomon 2:11-12).

Hope Helmuth is a stay-at-home housewife and mom. Her debut cookbook is Hope’s Table. She has a passion for cooking, creating recipes, and entertaining guests. Every day, she strives to use the gifts God has given her to glorify him. Connect with Hope at hopeful-things.com.

Photograph © Evie Shaffer, used with permission