Thursday, September 3, 2009

Reason For The Season, Tested Faith




Our spiritual life holds many seasons. Sometimes, just like in the natural, they seem to defy normal courses of action.

Yet, there are times when the weather is just perfect, like when I first started out with my garden. I planted my garden in anticipation of better and more beautiful days. Out of seemingly no~where a rain storm moves in and all that I planted suffers death or setback for I did not look to the weather forecast for any signs of possible change.

Not knowing about what hard rains can do to my garden it got so beaten up. But to those who watch the weather and know what hard rains can do to a garden covered their plants…they hid them in the secret places, under buckets and cloth until the weather was clear. Suffering only slight damage to the external edges…with roots intact, they were able to grow and produce a harvest. A friend showed me what I had done wrong, so my harvest will be greater next time.

Because I was careless/unexperienced or refused to watch and prepare I suffered great loss to the seasonal things of my garden and missed some opportuned times…missed having certain fruit. Regardless, there are lessons to be learned and faith is tested.

There are those times regardless of whether one does or does not watch and pray where loss takes place in unexplainable ways {Like by grasshoppers}. Once again our faith is tested, for it rains on the just and the unjust, rains on both the good and the bad. "Remember I am faithful and I am not hindered by circumstance or situation. I am the God of the impossible. What is most important to Me is abiding with you. Don’t let anything persuade you to pull away out of resentment, anger or self-hate for not having overcome in any area of your life. I will satisfy every place of dryness, need or worry ~Isaiah 58:11~

The difference is not in the type of weather, but in the gardener and our
perspective, the difference is what you have planted in your garden and knowing what kind of plant you are. The difference is in knowing who you belong to in knowing, though life is seasonal, you like the veggies or trees, are rooted in the eternal. Seasons come and seasons go, yet I remain the same. I am faithful.

And the Lord shall guide you continually and satisfy you in drought and in dry places and make strong your bones. And you shall be like a watered garden and like a spring of water whose waters fail not ~Isaiah 58:11~


Lord I know life holds many seasons and with each comes a transition. I praise You knowing whatever season I find myself in You are there. Help me to be sensitive to the changes in times and seasons so I will act according to Your direction.
I will not fear lack for You are my provision. I will not fear times when the storms appear on the horizon. Remind me to watch the weather and be discerning of the upcoming changes in the physical and spiritual environment around me. No matter what changes happen I know the reality of Your ever~present love and care.
Lord even though my faith is tested, I will trust in You. Help me to plant the proper things in my garden at the proper time. Give me Your perspective so that I see the way You see. Therefore I will know what You would have me do. Thank You for the resurrection power within and without and its power to bring life to all that appears dead in my life. I know You are faithful. You are not hindered by any circumstances, for all things are possible with You.
Amennnnnn


As your faith is being tested in each season of your life, are you keeping your eyes on the One who controls the seasons or on your own ability?

40 comments:

Wendy Blight said...

Thank you for this precious, precious post. I love the verse from Isaiah...a fresh Word from the Lord that I needed today!! So thankful I stopped by. Your words fertilized the garden of my heart today!

Sweet blessings to you,

Wendy

Sharon Brumfield said...

Yes, we are certainly being tested and stretched.We are getting ready to go into full time ministry....and it has been a huge leap of faith for me. To really come to understand who my provider is....what freedom. But I can tell you that I have been really hit in the mental area.

It is really good to hear from you. This was a timely post.

Beth Herring said...

What an awesome word. Oh to continue to trust Him in all things and let our Faith lead the way!

Thanks Sharon for this refreshing word today!

Beth Herring said...
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Beth Herring said...
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nancygrayce said...

AMEN!

More Than Words said...

Sharon..I always feel encouraged after I read your posts!! You have such a sweetness when you write!!!

Paula V said...

I have to keep my eye on the One in control of this season and my life or this season will get the better of me and destroy me.

Steve said...

Thanks for the post. I need to remember that, The God on the mountain is still God in the valley, and the God of the day, is still God in the night. Sometimes we can get discouraged during the dry season, and this happens to me sometimes. God bless you. Keep looking up

Talk..to..Grams said...

This is a wonderful post! The Blble verse is really a help to me today! Thanks for posting such a good devo! Hugs Grams

From the Heart said...

Beautiful post.
AliceE.

Lynn - JnL4God said...

What a wonderful Post, and such timing. I just found out that I am going to be a great-Grandma, from my 16yr old Granddaughter, not God's perfect will, but I reassured her that God still had a plan for her life and that He loved her, and so do we.
And your post is what I first read... How nice - and So like God to have a word as such a time.
Beautiful Post. Thanks,
Lynn
Lynn

Nikki (Sarah) said...

this is a great post. thank you. And I love your site. It's so full of the positive word of God.

Leaon Mary said...

"and you shall be like a watered garden," .... I just love that verse Sharon. Such truths here. I loved thee analogy about hiding your plants in secret places. I hope I never forget this post. It touched me.
Have an awesome day!
Holykisses,
Lea

Pia said...

love what you wrote especially the sentence that says, "I am the God of the impossible." AMEN!!! He is the God of the impossible. He can make things happen. He can turn things around for any of us.

God bless you, sharon.

Dana said...

Sharon,

Wow!! I luv to read what our sweet Savior puts on your heart!!! You are awesome and thank you soooo much for continually checking on me. It is nice to know someone cares. Have a blessed day, Sharon, and thanks again for a beautiful post.

Love in Christ,
Dana

Debra said...

Thank you so much for your visit and thoughts! I loved this post-it is a powerful lesson, and beautifully written.
Love, Debra

Edie said...

Isaiah 58:11 spoke directly to my heart today. Thank you Sharon.

Much love!!

Andrea said...

Sharon, I am so moved by your beautiful analogy and words. There is a lot to learn from planting and nature. Thank you.

I so try to keep my eyes on Christ in everything, but it is somtimes hard, always challenging. I am too much like Peter, as I look at the water and waves rather than Jesus.

Many blessings to you!

Andrea

On Purpose said...

You my friend are a blessing to this world!

Starr LaPradd said...

That was beautiful!! As one who has weathered many storms lately, i can so relate to that story. I could have never made it wothout knowing the MASTER GARDENER and trusting Him to carry me through. it also helps so much to know I have friends such as you to pray me through!
Hope you are doing well. Many blessings and much love,
Starr

God Chaser said...

Sharon
thank you so much for stopping by and giving words of encouragment. I love this post-you said much but saying those who were experience hid their plants in the secret place- how awesome- Sometimes we need to go into the secret place when life comes at us fast we must withdraw to the secret place for protection and refreshing- to build up to go on. Thanks for this post and the beautiful pryer. thanks for thinking of me and missing me it is what I needed to hear to bring me back to the Broken Vessels a place where God gives me much. Life is good and I am ok- it has just been a very very busy season for me-life has been changing and God is giving me new assignments and I just didn't have the time to keep up- but I have been missing my friends and their ministry to me. I hope to beposting soon.
Luv You and be blessed

Andrea said...

Sharon, just checking in with you, dear friend.

I am again blessed by this post. Your prayer is so beautiful and speaks to my heart.

Blessings,

Andrea

Fitts said...

Hi Sharon, I see that you have made some changes since the last time I stopped by. I love it! I missed visiting your blog.

Take care,

DeAntwan

~PakKaramu~ said...

Visiting your blog

Twincerely,Olga said...

HI Sharon!! Thanks for stopping by! May you have a wonderful week in the Lord!

Nishant said...

The God on the mountain is still God in the valley, and the God of the day, is still God in the night.





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