It seems many people are going through a very difficult season these days. Whether from financial difficulties, stressed relationships, or poor health the sources are endless; the need for a change of season epidemic. Too many are suffering in a winter of discontent. Do we just endure the long winter or can we change the season. Daniel 2:21 says God can "change times and seasons." If you don't like the season you are in... change it.
So, how do we change the season? If I can take liberty with Shakespeare..."Now is the winter of our discontent made glorious summer by this son of [God]. Through Christ our winter is made a glorious summer. The presence of the Lord will bring us times of refreshing in the midst of our drought.
"Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord," (Acts 3:19)
To change our season we need to repent and be converted so that our sins may be blotted out that a new season "may "[is allowed] come. To repent means "to change one's mind" (Webster.) If we change our mind...the Lord will change your season. He will change the winter of our discontent into glorious summer. When we change our mind...our thinking... we don't change the winter...we change the discontent!
We still have financial difficulties, stressed relationships, or poor health, but through Christ we can change our mourning into dancing. Through Christ we can choose to be joyful and content in the Lord. For…the joy of the Lord is my strength. We can change our discontent, our whining, and complaining into rejoicing.
"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!" (Philippians 4:4)
You are to rejoice always, because joy is the easiest fruit to lose. You can't live off of the joy you had yesterday. Joy can give you strength only when you possess it. Yet you need to rejoice always because if you don't then you lose the strength to fight when facing trials.
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds." (James 1:2)
Why is it pure joy whenever we face trials? Because joy gives you strength to fight in the midst of your trials. So by rejoicing, you have victory over your trials. When you change your thinking from despair to rejoicing...you can change your season.
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Today's Word from Joel and Victoria Osteen
"He holds victory in store for the upright, He is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, for He guards the course of the just and protects the way of His faithful ones" (Proverbs 2:7-8)
Are you facing a challenge or difficulty that seems overwhelming? When you stand strong and remain faithful to God, He promises to set your course for victory! And victory doesn’t necessarily mean everything is going to go our way all the time or work out the way we planned.
The Bible says that the real battle we face isn’t in our circumstances, it’s in our minds. The enemy is after your thoughts. He’s after your peace and joy. He knows that when you have peace, it’s a sign that you are connected to the Father. When you hold on to your peace and choose to be joyful, you are walking in victory, and it’s just a matter of time before your circumstances line up!
Remember, God knew every person who would wrong you, and He’s already laid out your vindication. God knew every disappointment, and He’s already laid out new opportunities. God knew everything that would be stolen, and He has already laid out your restoration. Rejoice today knowing that He has set your course for victory in every area of your life!
A Prayer for Today
Father in heaven, thank You for the victory You have in store for me. I choose to be faithful; I choose to walk humbly before You. I stand in faith knowing You are working all things together for my good because You love me. In Jesus´ Name. Amen.
Thank you Lara. Sunday my pastor asked us to journal about "If you want to change your season change your thinking." It has taken me a long time to put this together. I am going through some trials...I certainly need to change my season. I will rejoice in the Lord!
Amen! I can attest to how I used to complain and gripe when going through difficulties. Praise God I changed my ways and he changed me from a murmurer (sp) into a rejoicer.
Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say rejoice! The joy of the Lord, is indeed our strength! Since I choose each day to rejoice in Him and give Him praise no matter what comes, each day and each trial, challenge or sickness is easier to bear. Now mind you, he had to take away some stuff from me that I thought were quite important for me to realize it was okay to lose the "stuff". And though I always thought that I realized that everything I have and everything I am, is only because of Him, His goodness, love and mercy for me, I have a much better and real appreciation for that now. I am nothing without Him and in that I have hope, assurance and rest that He will take care of me, even when the going is rough, he has always made a way. It is freeing to get to that place. I pray I do not ever fall back to looking back or being less trusting or rejoicing in Him. God bless you for sharing. xoxo
Oh my, Bren. This is Really good! I'm taking this to the prayer closet. "Father in heaven, thank You for the victory You have in store for me. I choose to be faithful; I choose to walk humbly before You. I stand in faith knowing You are working all things together for my good because You love me. In Jesusī Name. Amen." I Love you.
Thanks Bren. My husband and I are going through some tough times right now so we're ready for a change. I am tring to shout to bring the walls down and that God is mighty in the midst of me! It's getting easier!!!!!
Thank you everyone for all of your kind, encouraging, and thought provoking comments. I am not feeling very well so I will be back online later. My spirit and mind will rejoice, but my body is still weak.
A prayer for you, Bren. Lord please strengthen our sister, fill her with your Spirit today, and restore her joy. Help her to embrace joy too, leaving doubt and despair far behind. In Jesus' name.....
Lord as we come together to ask that You will place Your healing touch on our dear sister Bren,may she be very aware of your love, peace and strength and Lord we ask that You will wrap her in a blanket of Your presence. Amen
Mike, PB, Liz - Thank you so much for holding me up in prayer. I feel wrapped in love. May God pour out His blessings on you. I love you all very much!
bren i totally agree with u throughout all u wrote and thanks u have blessed me by much and i'm sending u love and hugs and also blessings also love u very berry much but i still don't think i am gonna write still
Thank you Rebekah maybe you should take a season to just soak in God's word and be blessed read blogs for a while. Then God will reveal if and when it's time to start writing again. May God pour out His blessing on you. Sending you...love, hugs, and blessings!
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