Staying Faithful through Difficult Seasons

“He will cover you with his feathers; you will take refuge under his wings. His faithfulness will be a protective shield.” (Psalm 91:4 NIV)

In January, the general consensus on the internet seemed to be that winter felt like it was taking forever—and not in a good way. In addition to several dreary, rainy, and cold days, January also brought car trouble, stitches, a stomach bug, an upper respiratory infection, and a concussion to our family. Needless to say, I was ready for January to be over. I was ready for a new month, and I longed for a new season. Now, as the whole world is grappling with a pandemic and daily life has been upended as a result, I am finding I need to find my way through the season I am living in.

I love all the seasons. I find it difficult to pick a favorite. They all bring their own uniqueness and different joys. Summer brings beautiful sunny days and vacations, time off from the regular routine; fall has cooler temperatures, changing leaves, and festive fall festivals; winter has Christmas, and for my family in Georgia, maybe a chance for some snow (snow is a big deal in the South). Then spring arrives, and the earth seems to wake up. Colorful flowers begin to bloom in the warm sun, and Easter reminds us of the promise of Jesus.

Just as our years are marked by the physical seasons, they are marked by personal seasons as well. There are seasons of joy and happiness juxtaposed with seasons of sadness and doubt, and there are some seasons that seem to drag on forever and make us desperate for a new one.

How do we cope with difficult seasons?

During these seemingly neverending seasons, we have to cling to our faith, even if we are just hanging on by a thread. We must cling to Jesus. That is one of the most beautiful things about our Savior: we don’t have to rely on our own strength. We can—and should—rely on his.

During difficult seasons, it can be easy to let our faith waver and our spiritual habits slip. We slowly stop reading our Bibles and sometimes stop attending church, and that is the opposite of what we should do. Right now, most churches nationwide have shut down to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, but we can find ways to stay connected to our communities and keep up with our relationships, thanks to technology. We need to stay in God’s Word, even if it seems like he is silent. Keep reading, because the Lord will reveal himself to you. Continue to worship, even if you have to do it from your living room, and it feels like you’re just going through the motions for a while. The Lord knows your heart.

“In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.” (Romans 8:26 NIV)

How do we help others in difficult seasons?

Be there. This is the most important way we can help others with difficult seasons. We need to stay in tune with our loved ones. Most people are not going to reach out and ask for help. We need to be watching and paying attention to be able to meet the needs of others.

Being there can be anything from physical help, like dropping off some groceries, to just listening. Be present.

Step in when you see a loved one floundering; help her stay above water. Let your presence be known. Offer a shoulder to cry on or a helping hand. Let your loved ones know that you will be there, that you are willing to be a pillar of support.

We get to this point by investing in our relationships. We need strong relationships with both the Lord and with our people to weather the more difficult seasons of life.

Dear Lord, help us feel your presence during the difficult seasons. Open our eyes to those who are hurting around us. Give us the words to help them feel supported and cared for. May we grow closer to you in all seasons. Amen.

Scripture for Reflection

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Deuteronomy 31:6 CSB)

“Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will hold on to you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10 CSB)

“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is perfected in weakness.’ Therefore, I will most gladly boast all the more about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may reside in me. So I take pleasure in weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and in difficulties, for the sake of Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:9-10 CSB)

Reach for More

Look around at your people. Who might need you today? In what way can you let them know you are there for them? Do they just need to know that someone cares enough to ask about them? What can you do today to show someone they matter?

Dana Herndon is a writer, blogger, and middle school teacher. She and her husband live in Georgia with their three children. In addition to teaching and writing, Dana loves to read, paddle board, and sometimes run. She blogs about faith, family, and enjoying the everyday life at danaherndon.com.