God Of ALL Seasons

Written by contributing writer Meagan Newsome of Frugal Fun and Fortune

“Every drop of sun is full of fun and wonder. You are summer…

I will offer thanks for what has been and what’s to come. You are autumn…

And even now in death, You open doors for life to enter. You are winter…

And everything that’s new has bravely surfaced, teaching us to breathe. What was frozen through is newly purposed…

With every season’s change…You are re-creating me. Summer, autumn, winter, spring.”

This beautiful song, by Nichole Nordeman, speaks volumes about our glorious Lord. He is the master of all creation, the One who turns the seasons. He brings the change of weather, the dancing leaves on the ground, the white blanket of snow, barren trees, rain, blooming flowers, and more. Yet there is a deeper meaning to all of this. God is not only the Creator and Overseer of the seasons in this physical world, but also of our hearts and minds.

January is a contemplative month as we look back on the old, and look forward to the new. We make goals, plans, and resolutions. We feel renewed and refreshed. Yet for many of us, it’s also a time of depression – “Winter blues” as some people might say. It’s hard to start moving forward with momentum once again. We anxiously await Spring with all its beautiful colors and feelings of being “newly purposed.”

Are you experiencing a season of depression? Maybe it’s a temporary one that is simply a result of being stuck in a new-year contemplative state as mentioned above. Or maybe it’s a long season that has lasted for far too long…possibly even years now. Depression is real, difficult, and debilitating.

There is never a perfect solution, and depression affects different people in various ways. As one who has battled depression for a couple years now, I can offer you some words of hope:

1. There IS hope in our Savior. Even if we struggle with depression all our lives, we await a glorious hope afterwards. This life is a temporary home. (2 Corinthians 4:16-18)

2. The joy of the Lord is our strength. Such a common phrase, but have you ever really thought about it? If we are walking with God, we should be able to find at least some glimmer of joy that He brings. And we must cling to that joy with all our might, for it is our greatest strength in this battle. (Nehemiah 8:10)

3. God knows your heart better than you know it yourself. What a comforting realization. (1 John 3:20)

4. True contentment in Christ is found outside of external circumstances. If your depression stems from your circumstances, this is a powerful thought to remind yourself of daily. (Philippians 4:11-13)

5. God is constant. He has always been, is, and always will be. He is the only absolute truth we can count on. When everything is changing and swirling around us and we are overwhelmed, He is still there as our firmest foundation. (James 1:17)

6. You are LOVED. Dearly. Your are blessed, beautiful, and redeemed. (Romans 8:37-39)

7. You are not alone. Not only is God with you, but there are more people than you could ever imagine struggling with this exact same issue. Talk to somebody. Let somebody pray for you and with you. Don’t hide – it just makes the issue even worse. (2 Corinthians 1:3-5)

Above all, remember that God is the God of all seasons…even the one of depression. Soon you will “bravely surface, breathe easily once again, and be newly purposed.”

*Photo Credit: Seth Anderson and Josiah Mackenzie

About Meagan Newsome
Meagan authors Frugal Fun & Fortune, where she writes about saving money, giving to others, delicious Vegetarian recipes, simple living, and her life adventures. Her greatest passions include chasing after God wholeheartedly, social justice, being a good wife to her sweet hub, books, and music. You can connect with her on Facebook and Twitter.