By Pastor Scott Stevens, FCA Character Coach

“To everything there is a season, and a time for every matter or purpose under heaven…” & with every Season, just like nature, there is a beginning, middle and end to every Season. If we trust in God, and know that HE has everything in control and that there is a “purpose” for everything that we do and happens to us, then there is a comfort in knowing God will be with us through every season in our life. I am grateful that God Plan, Purpose and Season has meaning for every believer.

When I first started Basic Training, as an E-1, Private, in the US Army in 1990, I was uprooted from everything I knew in the countryside in FL and thrown into a New environment at Fort Dix, NJ. These New voices and New “season” I was not prepared for, or ready for in life. I had 2 choices: One, was to complain, be fearful and resist the change, or Secondly to embrace, adapt, and embrace to this new adventure. What I learned was that Change is not always easy, sometimes shocking and never without an adjustment period. I also learned that I can and will survive when I embrace change, learn from it and grow into a better person.

This time in our country has never happened in our history and we have never experienced a Pandemic worldwide like this is our lifetime and has truly be a “Season” like none other. Yet, God promises us Philippians 4:6-7 ESV “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” So, if we have Faith and Believe God is true to His word, then He will “guard” our “heart and mind” from any fearful things that tries to harm us, by land, sea or in the air.

I am so thankful that being a Christian, and Follower of Christ, that we do not have to live or operate according to the thoughts a fears in society. The same Promise God gave to Joshua can be applied to our life as well, Joshua 1:9 ESV

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” The best and most impactful experience I have had and seen in my 30 + years from being a Christian, has come from Change. I may not have always liked the experience of the change, but later the person I have grown into has made me a better person, husband, father, coach and Christian because the difficult situation did not break me but shaped me.

One of the greatest Changes I had to do in my life was Admit that I was not in control and to submit to God’s perfect plan for my life. I had a hard time believing anyone really cared for me or wanted me to succeed in life, so when bad things happened to me or around me, I responded with worry, stress and became anxious. This was not good for myself or others around me. But, when I put my trust in God and began to trust in His plan and perfect Will for my life, I realized that God is in control of it all and in His plan, everything worked out for the better.

I found great understanding in the Scripture, that I can be New again and my old ways do not have to cause me pain and stress, that God provided a New way and a new life. 2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” Once I embraced that Newness, and began to understand “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above…” James 1:17 ESV and He wants to best for me and He wants the best for you, too. I found Hope, I found Peace and I found Love within God’s love.

Let me say a short Prayer with You: Dear Lord, we know that things are tough right now, and things are uncertain, yet Help us find You, help us find peace and help us find clarity in this world of Change and Confusion. We know that sometimes we do not always trust You and there are times we allow Change to overwhelm us yet help us know You are here, and You have a plan for our life.

We will embrace Your love; embrace You plan and Your purpose for us. Thank You for giving us a new Life, thank You for giving us loving friends and thank You for dying for our sins so we can spend an eternity with You. Help us to accept the things I cannot change; Courage to change the things I can; And wisdom to know the difference. Forever and ever, Amen.

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