Seasons

It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. – Acts 1:7 ESV

Throughout the course of a year, we experience four different seasons: winter, spring, summer and autumn. Each season is characterized by different meteorological events. For instance, during the winter season the days are short, and the air is cold – with some areas experiencing snow and ice while the summer season is marked by long days and is the hottest time of the year which can result in droughts and wildfires.
 
We know that there is a time and season for everything. A time to be born and a time to die. A time to tear down and a time to build up. A time to cry and a time to laugh. A time to hug tightly and a time to let go (Ecclesiastes 3:1-5). Seasons are inevitable, but how we transition from one season to another, shows how faithful we are to God’s word and direction.
 
To successfully transition into a new season, you are going to have to change your plans, clothes and thermostat.
 
Plans
 
It is not advised to plan a Caribbean vacation for September because it is the height of hurricane season in the Atlantic. If you had a vacation planned during that time and a hurricane formed, you would be forced to change your plans.
 
Life often sends us unexpected storms that ultimately alters our plans. You may have thought that you would be married by now or still married, but a storm came. You may have thought that you would be employed by now, but a storm came. You may have thought that you would be over that addiction by now, that you would have a child by now or that you would be out of debt by now, but a storm came.
 
When life sends you a storm that changes your plans – call on the one who said, “I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11). Call on the who created the winds and the rains, who will instruct you and teach you the way you should go in the middle of a storm (Psalm 32:8). Do not be upset if God changes the plans you had for your life, because His plans for you are far greater.
 
People may plan all kinds of things, but the LORD's will is going to be done.
– Proverbs 19:21 GNT
 
Clothes
 
Seasonal transitions are volatile. When transitioning from winter to spring—one day might be sunny and dry while the next day might be cold and snowy. So, the challenge becomes what to wear in such weather.
 
What do you put on during volatile and unpredictable times? Do you wear guilt and shame? Do you wear anger, anxiety, or unforgiveness? We are instructed to be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. To put on the full armor of God, so that we can take our stand against the devil’s schemes during uncertain times (Ephesians 6:10).
 
You would not wear a winter coat during the summer because it is not appropriate for that season. Similarly, you should not wear condemnation, fear or offense. Remove your coat. Remove the humiliation, jealousy, grief and pride from your life so that you can move confidently with God into the next season of your life. If not, you will remain in your winter (depression, negativity and anxiety) when God wants to move you into your spring (joy, optimism and peace).  
 
No one patches an old coat with a new piece of cloth that will shrink. Otherwise, the new patch will shrink and rip away some of the old cloth, and the tear will become worse. – Mark 2:21 GWT
 
Thermostat
 
What you wear outside is a reaction to the external temperature. But internally, in your home, you control the temperature with a thermostat. So, if it is cold outside, you can make it warm in your house or if it is hot outside, you can make it cold in your house. You control and regulate the internal environment.
 
You control and regulate your happiness. You control and regulate your feelings. You control and regulate your reactions. You cannot control the adversity, but you can control your response to it. You cannot control people, but you can control how you treat them. You cannot control when you are going to die, but you can control the type of life you live. Control what you can control and let God handle everything else.
 
Losing self-control leaves you as helpless as a city without a wall.
​– Proverbs 25:28 CEV
 
Seasons are always changing, and it is incumbent upon us to change as the seasons change. Though our situation and circumstances are everchanging, God is the same. While His spirit is the same, how we witness Him should change in every season of our life. In this season of your life, He may be a comforter while in another He is a provider. No matter the season you find yourself in – hold on to God and His unchanging hand.