God’s Appointed Times: Shifting Into A New Season

I think we’re all ready to “shift” into a new season of life.  Several years ago I learned several important things on how you can confidently walk through the seasons of life with God and live victoriously through a new season. I hope this will help many of you make that necessary shift that can be difficult at times.

Everything and everyone in the world around us moves through various seasons and transitions. Nations also go through different seasons as certain events force difficult and sometimes painful transitions. The Longman Dictionary defines transition as “when something changes from one form or state to another.” For most of us transition will be a process rather than an immediate event. Transition will inevitably bring about a change in our environment and in us as well.

When shifting into a new season there are some important things to remember:

1.God Goes Before Us

Our heavenly Father goes before us and walks behind us too. (Psalm 139:5)  God knows which way we are going and is there to protect us — even when we can’t see Him. God knows what’s ahead of us. He will go before you and clear out the obstacles and make your paths straight. “in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:6)

And the same God who knows all about the year ahead promises to go with us every step of the way. God himself will be our guide, and he will guide us through. He knows the challenges that will face us, the obstacles that are before us. 

God Himself will be your guide, and He will lead you through. He knows the challenges that you’ll face and the obstacles that are before you, and He will clear the path. Isaiah 26:7 says, “The path of the righteous is level; you, the Upright One, make the way of the righteous smooth.” Whatever you are facing, God has already gone before you and will guard you from behind. I encourage you to contend for the faith. “I felt compelled to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God’s holy people.”

The struggles you faced in the old season will not be able to go with you.  The things you had to contend with will not be able to follow you into your new season. I encourage you to contend for the faith, “…I felt compelled to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God’s holy people.” (Jude 1:3)  Whatever you face today, God has already gone before you and will guard you from behind.

2. Let Go of the Old to Make Room for the New

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. (Isaiah 43:18-19)

When shifting seasons, things change in our lives affecting our activities, focus, vision and even relationships. The most challenging part of shifting seasons is letting go of things from our past season. This is where most people get stuck. We tend to gravitate towards what we know thinking the old is good even though God has something better planned for us.

When God is shifting you into a new place there will be things from your past season that won’t be able to go with you into the new season. It could be old habits, old ways of thinking, relationships, or fear. God wants to shift your perspective. The old season may have been filled with some wonderful and good things and maybe some challenges, but as long as you are holding on to the old you are filling space and it delays the new.  

Often the hard part about our new season is truly letting go of the old because it may mean that you have to leave some people behind. One of the hardest things to do is to accept that the people of our past are probably not part of our future. At least not the way you think. Sometimes the person you want to hold on to the most is the very person you need to let go of to move forward. Eventually it will become hard to see your future because it is clouded with too much of your past causing you to become disgruntled in your current season because of people you have tried to hold on to. Don’t let what held you up in your old season hold you back in your new season.

“Neither do people pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins will burst; the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved.” (Matthew 9:17)

Your obedience might be the key to someone else’s miracle or breakthrough. The true test of our faith and trust comes
in our obedience to God. During seasons of transition, God refines us, tests us, and purifies us so that we will be fit to carry out His purposes in the earth. No one can take your place and do what He has intended for you. During the refining process, it can get a
little intense, yet He is with us in the furnace of affliction.

3. Stepping Out of the Boat

Sometimes we have to face our fears, embrace the adventure, and take the plunge. But what holds us back from risking it all? How do we overcome our fears?  How do we keep our eyes focused on the goal when everything is trying to distract us?

The Word of God is full of instances where God orchestrated some incredible circumstances to take His people where they’d never been before. He may create situations to help us to grow and go beyond where we’re at in our walk with Him. Consider the story of Peter walking on water. (Matthew 14:22-33)

God has a new season and new provisions for you, but sometimes we remain in the old season because it’s what we know. You have to discern when it’s time to shift so that you don’t get stuck in the old place.  You can step into a season of hope no matter what your circumstances.

Getting caught “between seasons” can be very depressing and stressful. We all struggle with leaving our comfort zone that gives us peace, but crossing over into a new season can be stressful because we are not accustomed to the uncharted environment around us. Today I want to encourage you to step out of the boat, get out of your comfort zone and do something you have never done before.

Blessings,

Minister Dr. Francine