YM Devo: What am I suppose to learn from this?

Throughout our lives we go through “seasons”.  I don’t know whoever coined this term but if he/she would have trademarked this bad boy, they would be filthy rich right now as it is a very popular word.  There are good seasons and there are bad seasons.  Sometimes seasons last for a short time and sometimes they last for a very long time.  One thing I have come to realize is that when we go through seasons, especially hard ones that seem to last forever, God is still at work and doing something in you. He has you there for a reason and wants to work in you in some way.

When going through a rough season in life, the passage I look towards a lot is Romans 5:1-5.  Take a minute and read it.

In this passage Paul says that we need to rejoice in our sufferings because it produces perseverance, character and hope.  Now, don’t get me wrong, all seasons in our lives ARE NOT ALWAYS sufferings.  But if we look at this passage that in everything, even our sufferings, God can continue to build into us, He will make us better through any experience or season in our lives.  The question I need to keep asking is, “Lord, what do you want to teach me through this?”  Why am I going through this time in my life.  It is not all “whoa is me”, but an earnest desire to learn from the Lord during this time.

Regardless of what the Lord is trying to teach me, I know 2 things:

1. I have to continue to seek Him (Matthew 6:33)
2. He will use this for His glory.  It’s not all about me – never has been and never will be.  So, I need to stop looking at this from a “me” perspective and more at how can I use this for His Glory?

There is certainly going to be a time when you are going through a season in your life where you may not be understanding that God is trying to teach you. My encouragement to you is to continue to pursue the Lord.  He has you where you are for a reason and if it is through sufferings, He is there with us and will build into us more Christlike qualities to make us more effective for the Kingdom of heaven.

As Paul says, “hope does not disappoint us” (v. 5).  Rest in God’s hope and trust that He will not only bring you through all seasons but you will be better off because of it.

Take some time to pray and pursue the Lord.  Whether this season is a tough time for you or not, ask Him what He wants you to learn from this season in your life.