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Hospice of Yancey County

Time to Change

By Jacob Willis

Yancey County

 

Change is difficult for us all, maybe that is why God gives us four seasons.  When fall begins we are reminded that things change. “To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven.” —Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NKJV)

We are also reminded that fall is a time of harvest.  The time when hard work pays off.  In life we go through seasons of plenty and seasons of drought, fall reminds us not to become weary in well doing.  “Let us not become weary in doing well, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” —Galatians 6:9.  Sometimes the road seems long and hard, but fall reminds us of the truth about trouble. 

            Trouble is always tempered by time.  If you are going through a season of trouble now, rest assured it won’t last forever.  Trouble comes and goes just like the seasons of life.  Trouble isn’t permanent.  Trouble is passing, just as we are passing from the long hot days of summer to the cool fall mornings.  God sends relief and rescues us out of our trouble, the moment his purpose is accomplished. 

            When in a season of trouble we shouldn’t mistake the process for the purpose.  Sometimes we get lost in our pain and grief.  We are submerged in our feelings and we forget the character of God.  We are reminded of the words of the song “How Firm a Foundation”,

“When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie,
My grace, all-sufficient, shall be thy supply.
The flame shall not hurt thee; I only design
thy dross to consume, and thy gold to refine.”

God’s purpose is not to crush us completely. God doesn’t cause evil, nor trouble, but he does use it as a tool for a purpose.  When that purpose is completed then he brings deliverance.  He is on time every time.   It may seem that the pain will never stop, but be assured God has His hand on the thermostat and His eye on the temperature. “Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain.” —James 5:7.  God will send what we need when we need it. 

            Trouble is the greatest teacher.  In times of trouble we learn the most and we change the most.  God demonstrates his attributes plainly during times of trouble.  God’s faithfulness, loving kindness, gentleness, meekness, and almighty power are on display during troubled times.  God’s purpose in allowing trouble in our lives is to change us, and to help us change our world.  Trouble teaches us patience and the power of helplessness. 

            Finally, it is important to remember we are just passing through.  We will not be in trouble forever.  We are walking through the valley of the shadow of death.  We will make it to the other side.  Everything changes, except God’s presence.   Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me.  God is with us through every season of life.  He will never leave us or forsake us.  People, circumstances, and things change constantly, but God never changes.  His love for you hasn’t changed and His mercy is renewed morning by morning.  So watch the leaves change and remember, weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.