FLOURISH IN EVERY SEASON

by Brenda Pace

Transitions into new seasons of life are inevitable. The days and years pass—we age, we move (called a Permanent Change of Station (PCS) in the military world), we change jobs, we launch children, we walk through sorrow, and we celebrate. The question of the day is, how do we flourish in every season? If I read the Oxford Dictionary, I know I’m flourishing if I “grow or develop in a vigorous way, especially as the result of a particularly congenial environment.”  When Uncle Sam is involved in the equation, “congenial environment” doesn’t always apply to our experience in the military.

This is the beauty of our always-with-us God. His definition of flourish is not the same as Oxford’s. In God’s economy, flourishing is not all about our comfort, ease, or success.  Despite our circumstances, we can flourish.

Consider these keys to spiritual flourishing found in Psalm 52:8-9: 

But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God.

I trust in the steadfast love of God forever and ever.

I will thank you forever, because you have done it.

I will wait for your name, for it is good,

In the presence of the godly.

The New English Translation version of Psalm 52:8 reads, “But I am like a flourishing olive tree…I continually trust in God’s loyal love.” The word “continually” communicates to me that no matter what the season brings, no matter how challenging it may be to adjust, even if it is a season of loss or plenty, I will continually—every day and forever and ever—trust in God. 

How to Flourish in Every Season:

1.    Trust in God’s steadfast and loyal love—every day in every season.

2.    Thank God for what he has done for me in the past, knowing he will be faithful in the present and the future.

3.    Wait on him to fulfill his purpose in each season of life.

Ponder:

In what areas of my life am I struggling to flourish? What steps can I take today to intentionally flourish here?

Verses to Consider:

For the grieving: Psalm 34:18 

For the upcoming PCS: Psalm 121:8 

For the deployed spouse: Psalm 130:5 

For the retiree: Philippians 3:13-14

For the young woman: 1 Timothy 4:12 

For the older woman: Titus 2:3  

For the new mom: Isaiah 40:11