Below is the text of an email sent out November 17, 2010, by my friend, Jennifer White. When I read the email, I knew I was hearing words from the Lord, spoken to me at exactly the time I needed to hear them, meant for me to apply to my situation at that time. God’s words are like that.
“DON’T TRY TO GET OUT OF ANYTHING PREMATURELY”
James 1:4 Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
When God permits winter winds to blow through your life He’s preparing you for the coming spring.
The Bible says, ‘To every thing there is a season’ (Ecclesiates 3:1)
So no matter how hard you pray, you can’t pray your life’s seasons away. There are some situations you aren’t meant to change–you’re just meant to survive. Paul calls these times, light affliction, which is…for a moment (2 Corinthians 4:17)
When you can’t alter your circumstances you must learn to grow through them.
In winter, trees take advantage of the season to rebuild their strength and prepare to be fruitful next season. Their sap and substance goes underground. Then in spring it pushes its way back up again in the form of new growth. Looking back over your life you’ll find that your achievements are seasonal. Growth comes, then struggle, and vice versa. Each season has its purpose. God has a reason for not wanting you to be productive all the time. When He permits winter winds to blow through your life He’s preparing you for the coming spring. James writes, ‘Consider it a…gift…when tests…come…under pressure, your faith…shows its true colors.’ So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way. One of the issues you’ll struggle with in a waiting period is the urge to hurry, to make permanent decisions based on temporary circumstances. Don’t do it! Every situation doesn’t call for immediate action.
Remember, patience comes from trust, and you can’t trust a God you don’t know. That’s why you need to spend more time getting acquainted with Him through reading His word and praying.
Psalm 27:13,14 ‘I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.'”
Living Wonderously 