Ecclesiastes 3: 1-4, "There is a time for everything...a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance." Romans 8:28, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."

Think

It is said that if we aren't going through a storm, we have either just come out of one or we are about to go into one. So often, just when we think we have it all together, we find ourselves in the middle of a relational, financial, or physical storm. We hear well-intentioned phrases like "this is just a season," or "something good will come of this." Yet, in the midst of it, we feel alone, desperate and surrounded by endless confusion, darkness and pain. Sometimes it can feel as though God has forgotten about us during these tough seasons of life. That couldn't be further from the truth. In fact, it is during these very times that He can grow our faith and develop us into the person He created us to be. God doesn't say that once we put our hope in Jesus everything will suddenly become sunny and bright. No, in life we will have tough seasons. But God promises that He is always with us; the Bible says He upholds us with His righteous hand. Without dark and difficult seasons, we couldn't appreciate the bright seasons, and we wouldn't be able to fully appreciate God's grace and love for us. Allow Him to open your heart to how He can make the darkest season into something beautiful.

Act

Think of a dark season that you have gone through. Write about what you learned during that time that helped your faith to grow and drew you closer to God. Thank Him for His grace and mercy that brought you out of it.

Pray

Heavenly Father, thank You for always being with me - especially in the hardest seasons. Help me to remember that even when circumstances aren't good, You can bring good from them. And remind me that seasons are seasons, they don't last forever. Help me to share what You've taught me and point others to You. In Jesus' name, Amen!