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[plavious]

If there is any element of the universe that is outside of his authority, then he no longer is God over all. In other words, sovereignty belongs to deity. Sovereignty is a natural attribute of the creator. God owns what he makes, and he rules what he owns. Sanctification is the predominant purpose for why we experience joy, pain, blessings and trials throughout our lives. We must prepare our hearts to receive whatever comes our way so that our faith would not be shaken by seasons of life that attempt to undermine our faith and trust in the lord. That is why God identifies himself in the scripture as the author and perfecter of our faith. 

"Consecrate yourselves, therefore, and be holy, for i am the lord your god. Keep my statutes and do them; i am the lord who sanctifies you" (leviticus 20:7-8).Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of god" (hebrews 12:1-2).

When we embrace the truth that nothing happens by accident, we understand that seasons of life are inevitable, but the beauty of the gospel gives clarity and direction.

"when you pass through the waters, i will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For i am the lord your god, the holy one of israel, your savior" (isaiah 43:2-3a).

One day we are the windshield. One day we are the fly. One day we get torn up. One day we heal up. One day we watch our lives come together. One day we watch our lives fall apart. One day we cannot stop smiling. One day we cannot stop weeping. One day we cannot stop dancing. One day we cannot stop grieving. One day our house gets built. One day our house gets bulldozed. One day our loved ones walks toward us. One day our loved ones walks away from us. One day we have hope and pursue our dreams. One day we lose hope and accept our nightmare. One day we bring a new thing home. One day we throw it in the garbage. One day we need to open our mouth. One day we need to shut our mouth. One day we love our lives. One day we hate our lives. One day life feels like a vacation. One day life feels like a war.

The true beauty of seasons is greatly limited by time and have a defined start and end date, so we can rest assured God shall reveal his plan, purpose, and sovereign will in due time when we are ready to receive it.

We may be facing unemployment, past due bills, critical test results, prodigal children, marital conflict, loss of a loved one, illnesses, etc., which cause us to grow weary and lose hope that god hears our cry for help. Again, scripture affirms that hope is not found in our strength and will, but the lord's sovereign provision and timing which testify who he is and how we should respond to him.

The steadfast love of the lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. 'The lord is my portion,' says my soul, 'therefore i will hope in him.' the lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him. It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the lord" (lamentations 3:22-26).

Conversely, we are to enjoy seasons of blessing and harvest when the lord provides. There is nothing wrong with celebrating financial provisions, the birth of a child, a decision of salvation, continued good health, moments of conquest, accomplishment and graduation, quality time with those we love, etc. "Praise the lord! I will give thanks to the lord with my whole heart, in the company of the upright, in the congregation. Great are the works of the lord, studied by all who delight in them. Full of splendor and majesty is his work, and his righteousness endures forever. He has caused his wondrous works to be remembered; the lord is gracious and merciful" (psalm 111:1-4).

Moreover, if we can find the silver lining God provides in our greatest trials, we will not be overcome with fear. At times, god's greatest provision to us may be thorns which remind us to not live independent from him but dependent solely on his sovereignty, just as paul did.

"so to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times i pleaded with the lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, 'my grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' therefore i will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of christ may rest upon me. For the sake of christ, then, i am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when i am weak, then i am strong" (2 corinthians 12:7-10).

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If we can learn to find the blessings in trials and be aware of the trials in blessings, we will more easily embrace whatever season comes our way, trusting in god's word as our source of strength, because "the lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance" (2 peter 3:9).

He longs for intimacy with us and will stop at no expense to pursue us to the ends of the earth because he loves us unconditionally. For his love fuels his will for us, and the seasons we face are simply a means of his sanctifying power and purpose in our lives if we submit to his authority and obey his word without excuse or reservation. 

Have been reading to keep my spirit alive