On Changing Seasons (and Not the Ones that Trigger Allergies)

Last updated on: September 23, 2018 at 6:57 pm by Dr. Laurel Shaler

On Changing Seasons (and Not the Ones that Trigger Allergies) 2018-09-23T18:57:30-04:00 Dr. Laurel Shaler

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All this focus on the season change from summer to fall has got my thinking about another kind of changing seasons. These changes don’t trigger coughing and congestion, but they can pose other problems: questioning, discontentment, stress, even anxiety. You see – the seasons of our lives change (sometimes frequently), and if we’re not prepared, these changes can bring about upsetting or conflicting thoughts and feelings.

We’ve all heard the expression “this is just for a season.” Whether it’s related to raising kids (oh the many seasons of that!), going through school, being a caregiver for an elderly parent…these, and more, are all simply seasons of life. But sometimes accepting a particular season of life is hard. It may be that you do not want the season to end. For example, maybe you’re struggling with your kids growing up. Or, it could be that you are so ready for the leaf that is this season to turn over.

Can you relate? If so, I want to offer three tips for accepting the season you’re in… accepting the season when it changes…and being prepared for both.

Repeat after me: I cannot do it all. Then, prioritize. We have to let go of the external pressure to do it all (and do it well). Instead, we have to be willing to internalize the reality that we simply cannot do it all. You may want to volunteer for every worthy cause, work multiple jobs, wear multiple hats at church, be an amazing spouse, be the best parent a child has ever had, and more…but you can’t do it all at once. You have to prioritize what is most important to you in this season of life. The next step will help you do just that.
Keep a list of the things you are currently doing, what you may need to set aside, and what you are interested in picking up in the future. Write down every thing you are currently doing, and make a decision about what you can reasonably do in this season of life. This doesn’t mean you have to give up all of your interests for all time, but you may need to set something aside for right now. It may be the case that you have something burning inside of you, but fully recognize you don’t have time to do it well. Keep track of your ideas and journal about how God may build that for you in the future. If you are struggling with moving on to another season of life, writing your interests out will give you some ideas as to what to do next. It may be that you are not ready for your current season to end, but God is saying it’s time to move. Friend, it’s time to obey.
Be obedient to what God wants you to do now…and let tomorrow worry about itself. In Matthew 6:34, Jesus tells us not to worry about tomorrow. Instead, focus on today. If we get so caught up in the future (whether it’s wanting the future to arrive now or whether it’s wanting the future to come at a snail’s pace), we will miss the beauty of the present. While certainly God will use our todays to prepare us for our tomorrows, we can trust Him in the process instead of focusing on it. Simply be obedient to where and what God wants you to do in this season of life.

I know it’s not always easy to accept a current season of life or a change in seasons, but it sure is more peaceful than the alternative. Being prepared can help you stay satisfied in your current season of life, and help you move on to the next one when it’s time. No allergy meds required.

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