Abiding in the Prince of Peace | How to Win Your Mental War Sample

Seasons or Patterns? 

In studying the book of Ecclesiastes recently, I was reminded that God’s seasons have purpose and significance. One of my greatest life lessons, which has been a constant in all seasons, has been to ask God questions like: 

• “What is the purpose you have for this season?”

• “What are you doing in this season? 

• “What are the enemy, circumstance, and other people responsible for in this season?”

• “What am I to learn in this season that you are teaching me?”

• “What changes need to occur for me to grow into my next season?”

Ecclesiastes speaks of seasons and that God has a purpose for every season you are in. No matter the season you are in, let God be God during this time. Most seasons will require that we change in some way. Change can be challenging for most of us. I heard a person say one time, "If nothing changes, everything stays the same."  God needs us to be open to change if we continue to be transformed into His image and likeness.  Change is a part of our discipleship journey. Nothing new can come without the catalyst of change. Fall reminds us that change can be beautiful. Winter reminds us that some things need to die to be born again. Spring reminds us that there is life on the other side of death. Summer reminds us that the new life of spring produces an abundant harvest. 

There are times that God initiates or allows some uncomfortable changes in our lives to propel or lead us into the next season. Change is not always bad. There are necessary endings and new beginnings that God may initiate for our good and His glory. I want to remind you to honor your current season. If you are in an abiding relationship with Christ, you will learn to embrace whatever season comes your way, knowing that He has a determined purpose for you in it. Most of the time, in my experience, I don't see the fullness of the meaning during the season.  It is often years later that I can comprehend the fullness of what God was doing during different seasons of my life. However, I have learned that when I abide in Him, no matter the season, I will have His peace to guard my heart and mind. 

I would not have done things the way God did in scripture in my finite understanding and human compassion. For example, I would have rescued Joseph from the nasty journey he was on, which would have removed him from God's very place to deliver the known world from famine. I would have removed some of the obstacles that David had in his life, but that would have negated the process God was using to develop the King He needed him to be. I would have intervened in the first century where Israel was under Roman oppression. However, it was this system that God used to deliver the Messiah to the cross to die for our sins. I would have removed Jesus from the cross and tried to minimize His pain and, in the same action, would have removed the very thing God used as the reconciliation of humanity to Himself. 

The point is, God is the author and finisher of your faith. He knows the beginning from the end. In his sovereignty, He has a plan, and He is good. Learning to trust this will produce in you a peace that you cannot have any other way. Knowing to ask God for His perspective on the trials and suffering in this life makes your journey purposeful. You may still not get the answers to your questions as to why God allows and does what He does. However, walking in absolute trust in Him is the most peaceful place I know. Abiding in the Prince of peace is what He desires for you. 

When I look back over my life, I am learning to see if there are unhealthy patterns that I need to address before God? Or is this simply one season that I need to trust God to gain insight into the larger picture? If you seem to repeatedly live in the same patterns, then it is worth examining your life to see if there are deeper issues at the root producing the same harmful fruit. 

An example would be the children of Israel in the Old Testament. We see what many scholars call cycles of apostasy. These were patterns that seemed to plague this group over many generations. They would turn away from God. God would bring judgment to them. They would turn back to Him. He would restore them. Then they would go back and turn away from Him again to idols. These patterns were more than a simple season. There was a root issue of the hardness of heart that the scripture gives us as the reason why.

Take Away: 

1. As you examine your life, what do you see? Ask yourself if the things in your life are seasons or patterns?

2. Are you able to acknowledge God working in all the seasons of your life?