Hearts and Seasons

This post is by Rose Ward.

A need for change rests within the weary bones of winter as the bitter cold fades away, releasing the old and carrying in—new hope. Vibrant and complex colors fill the earth as the season begins to officially take its place on our calendars. As springtime blesses us with moments of fresh cut flowers eagerly awaiting to grace our tables, we breathe in joyful new scents with a renewed strength that helixes forth to shift mindsets; helping us match the divinely created beauty patiently surrounding us.

Though this time of year is lovely, there are times the heart and body cannot quite see the beauty of the season, and may intensely feel the pressures of change in a way that is—not so pleasant. In fact, the complexities of life can pull on our heart strings, spiraling us in the wrong direction. But, if we find ourselves in this type of downward movement, we can view it as an amazing opportunity to recognize what God has created, slow down (be still) before the Lord, and—worship Him.

When we do this, it shifts the focus off of our own emotional reflections and numerous echoes of the world and places it on God’s Truth. Our hearts can be open to see the reality of Jesus, rather than dwelling in what we are feeling or thinking in the flesh. If the eyes of our hearts and the focus of our minds are set on things that are lovely and good—it creates a refreshing time during a difficult season. The “changes” within the timeline of which we are a part of can then be viewed as dynamic moments, bringing strength to us, and cultivating our relationship with God. These changes can be a set of unique spaces to which a great revival to the body, mind, and spirit can be carried! The question that is set before us is—How can we do this well?

One practical way to navigate the crevices of life well is to deepen our prayer lives, and—it is not as hard as you think!  Just think of the well-known acronym A.C.T.S. (Adoration/Confession/Thankfulness /Supplication). This small word is an amazing tool that has changed many lives.

When we “adore” God, it doesn’t mean to just say “Oh, Heavenly Father, I adore you”, it means to ADORE Him. When we are present with God, adoration springs forth from our hearts and helps us focus on WHO God is, therein helping us walk in His fullness. God sees our appreciation for what He has done for us in times of adoration, and this truly lets our hearts and minds shift their focus.

Next, we have confession and yes, this is a time we can say sorry Lord, but it is also a time to confess who we are because of Him! We can proclaim, “I am God’s child. God is IN ME. The same Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead, lives INSIDE of me.” It is also a time to confess with the mouth that He is Lord! Understanding our identity in Jesus is paramount!

The third is Thankfulness. We can voice how thankful we are to the Father and let our heartfelt gratitude come out as a fragrance to God. Having gratitude not only blesses Him, it changes us. We can be thankful for the season we are in, no matter what it might bring with it. We can step out of negative thinking and step into His view of things—allowing us an eternal perspective.  

The fourth part is supplication. This is a time to respectfully and humbly make earnest requests to the Lord. Many have found that when they work their way through the A, C, and T the S comes naturally. This is a time to ask God to help further our understanding and to become more like Him!

Sometimes changes are there to drive us in new ways to know God better, and we can let our mix of emotions be caught up in Him. Remember, no matter what kind of season “good or bad”, we can reflect the vibrant scenery that has been granted us. What a wonderful God we serve!

 Passages to Read this week:

1.   The God of peace will be with you. (Philippians 4:8-9)
2.   The Lord does not change. (Malachi 3:6)
3.   God is a God of righteousness and justice. (Psalm 50:6)
4.   God will not abandon you. (Deuteronomy 4:31)

Rose Ward is a Developmental Editor/Writer, Creative Coach for Christian Women in Ministry, and a Functional Nutritionist. She is also the Co-Founder of the Living Seeds Foundation and enjoys creating educational materials for women, youth, and children. Her mission is to nourish others, inspire ideas, and support creativity, healing, and faith. If you would like to connect with Rose you can go to livingseeds.ca or find her at her personal blog ministrymoms.org.

Photo by Luka Savcic on Unsplash