DIFFICULT SEASONS IN THE LIFE OF A CHRISTIAN
OUTLINE
1.SEASONS OF SORROW
2.SEASONS OF SHAME
3.SEASONS OF SUFFERING
4.SEASONS OF SHAKING
5.SEASONS OF SEARCHING
6.SEASONS OF SCARCITY
7.SEASONS OF SECRECY
DIFFICULT SEASONS IN THE LIFE OF A CHRISTIAN
1.SEASONS OF SORROW
John 16;20
A christian sometimes goes through a season of sorrow. Sorrow is also part of the christian life.Sorrow may be due to loss of a loved one or dissapointment of some fond expectation. But it is only a passing season. God does not want us to get drowned in our sorrows.He wants to turn our sorrows into joy.
2.SEASONS OF SHAME
Isaiah 61;7 Philippians 2;6-11
A christian sometimes goes through a season of shame.Shame and
humiliation may be due to mockery by unbeleiving friends and relatives or hostile enemies of the gospel.Shame can also occur due to a humbling process allowed by God.But we should not despair as though there is no hope.God honours those who serve him.The season of shame will be followed by a season of honour.
3.SEASONS OF SUFFERING
Exodus 3;7-9 Job 42;10-13
A christian sometimes goes through a season of suffering. Suffering is part of the christian life.We are strangers and pilgrims in a hostile world. Jesus said ’ if the world hated me it will also hate you. But we are promised great reward for our suffering. The lord who delivered the people of Israel from their suffering in the land of Egypt will also deliver us.
4.SEASONS OF SHAKING
Hebrews 12;26
A christian sometimes goes through a season of shaking. When God’s children become careless and inattentive , God shakes them from their slumber by some shocking experiences .This is not to destroy them but to awaken them. When people begin to rely on something or someone more than God it becomes a snare to them and God allows these false foundations to crumble in order to make his people put their trust in Him only.
5.SEASONS OF SEARCHING
Psalms 11;5 Job 23;10
A christian sometimes goes through a season of searching. Searching is a good cleansing experience. When God searches our heart to reveal all those things that are displeasing to Him it is a great preventive medicine to our soul. A periodic medical examination is good for our body . In the same way a regular soul searching experience is good for our spiritual life.
6.SEASONS OF SCARCITY
Phillippians 4;12
A christian sometimes goes through a season of scarcity.Sometimes before God can bring us to a place of abundance He has to allow us to go through a season of scarcity. This wilderness experience is a place of testing for us. When we pass the test the abundance of God is waiting for us.
7.SEASONS OF SECRECY
I Peter 5;6
A christian sometimes goes through a season of secrecy. This is a period where God keeps them in the shaddow.This is a period of submission and silence. This is a period of preparation and training in secret before God sends them in the public arena .This period should be completed before a christian comes out publicly. Otherwise it will be like a premature birth where the baby is not even fully formed. Therefore every christian would do well to go through a complete period of preparation before coming out of the season of secrecy
