Perhaps, the story of Job is one of the most intriguing stories about difficult seasons. You can imagine how Job started out. He was a man that feared the Lord and eschewed evil. He was wealthy, blessed and the envy of people around him. He won the approval of God as God even used him to brag against the devil (Job 1:1-7). But things went south afterwards.
Friend, I need you to understand today that difficult seasons are not necessarily a pointer to how unfaithful you have been to God. They are also not an indication of God’s unfaithfulness. I love what Apostle Paul said that, “…God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that you are able… (1 Corinthians 10:13). Yes. Even in our difficult seasons, God is faithful!
We must never allow the devil to confuse us about God’s faithfulness during trying times because it is the understanding and awareness of that faithfulness that we would need to leverage for our victory. Job was wise enough to not consider God unfaithful in the dealings of his life. He made up his mind to see the goodness of God even in the midst of the badness of life (Job 19:25).
Difficult seasons are not working against us; they are working FOR US. This is highly profound! Listen, as a child of God in purpose, nothing works against you; everything works for you (Romans 8:28, 2 Corinthians 4:17). Yes. That job loss is working for you and not against you. Even the financial hardship and barrenness in your marriage are working for you. The Bible did not say that all things will be good. God has only assured us that all things will work for our good. God has not promised us that it would be easy. He has only promised us that it would be possible.
“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that gives to all men liberally, and upbraids not; and it shall be given him” (James 1:5). We need divine wisdom to go through difficult seasons. There is a way out of life’s challenges that can be accessed in God. In fact, the solution to the problem is often inside the problem itself (1 Corinthians 10:13). This is why we must keep studying and praying our way into divine wisdom when we go through stuff. Rather than complain or look for pity party, we need to look for wisdom.
You also need to leverage the right relationships when you go through stuff. Whereas the devil wants you to withdraw from the right company (good friends, church family etc.) when you go through difficult seasons, your encouragement and victory lie in such critical relationships. When the disciples were persecuted, they simply went to their own company (Acts 4:23-24). They had their own company. It was the company of praying people. It was the company of encouraging people. It was the company of godly people. Do you have your own company? Who are they?
© ‘Demola Awoyele
Lead Pastor,
Destiny Impact Church
Akure, Nigeria