Heartfelt Guide: Four Seasons of Life and Spiritual Growth

This post is all about the four seasons of life and spiritual growth

Whether we realize it or not, life is constantly changing and shifting as we move through the different seasons of our lives. Each season brings about new beginnings and transitions from winter to spring and summer to fall.

This post dives into why I believe each season serves an important purpose in our lives and how we can trust God even when times are tough. Through a poignant, heartfelt, and vulnerable story from my own life experience, I creatively explain seasons to you.

With this post, I hope to inspire you to embrace these changes in your own life with faith and confidence that all things will work together for good!

Ready? Let’s go!

The apple tree outside my house died…

I remember vividly the apple tree that once stood outside my house. I loved it. The squirrels would rest on that tree and wake me up early in the morning as they cheerfully played and picked apples from it. The birds also adored the tree and would chirp and stare at me through the glass windows while I was working at my desk.

After many years of the apple tree providing sweet, juicy apples and shelter to all the community animals…. it stopped bearing fruit. I remember my neighbor telling me one day, “You know the tree is dead, right?” I was heartbroken.💔

That tree, weirdly enough, also represented a season in my life that was coming to an end—I was in my winter season. I remember staring at that tree as I reflected on the ending I was also going through personally. After much deliberation and thought, I made the tough decision to cut the tree down after giving it one last chance to produce something.

then a new season was birthed…

Then, shortly after, in 2018… I entered a new season—spring! God began showing me new ideas and plans for things He wanted to be done in my life, and I grew more spiritually than ever before.

Hillsong’s song “Seasons” perfectly encapsulated the feelings and emotions I was going through during this time. The lyrics reminded me that God has a plan for everything, no matter what season of life we may be in. His grace is ever-present and always enough. I still love the song “Seasons” to this day, as it reminds me of the new beginnings God brought about in my life in 2018 (P.S. The number 8 biblically represents new beginnings).

Even when a season ends, there can still be hope for something new—something better! That’s why I live with the confidence that whatever season I find myself in, I am safe in the hands of my Father, who loves me more than anything else. No matter how tough or hard things get, He will never leave us nor forsake us! All we need to do is trust in Him. He will provide us with all the strength and grace we need to get through difficult times and make it into the new season of our lives.

Yes, the apple tree was cut down, but its reminder still stands—God has a plan for each of us, no matter what season of life we find ourselves in! We just have to choose to trust Him so that He can take us from one season into the next. How beautiful and reassuring is that?

The meaning of “Four seasons of life and spiritual growth”

The four spiritual seasons of life are reflective of the natural world. Each season has its own unique purpose, and it is crucial to understand why you are in that season.

As it says in Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 “For everything, there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;”

Every season serves an important purpose.

Let’s go over each season…

Winter

Winter can represent the end of something. It is often seen as painful with death and darkness but also as transformative with beauty and growth. In winter, we can expect loss, loneliness, or reflection. Winter can symbolize a spiritual time of waiting on God, trusting in His faithfulness, and discerning the next steps. It is important to remember that “in all things God works for the good of those who love Him” (Romans 8:28).

In winter, we may need to be more intentional about being encouraged. Here are some ideas to get you through this season:

– Take time in prayer and meditate on the Word of God 

– Find ways to help others and serve your community

– Enjoy nature by taking walks or going on hikes

– Spend quality time with friends and family when possible.

Spring

Spring is seen as a time of renewal, hope, and joy. It is a season of growth and expansion, allowing for new opportunities. It is the perfect time to learn something new, try something different, and build upon the knowledge you gained in your last season.

In spring, we can expect change but also peace knowing that God is with us no matter what happens next. As it says in Genesis 8:22 “As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease.”

In this season, there are some things we can do to prepare for the changes:

– Take time each day to thank God for His faithfulness 

– Prioritize self-care by eating healthy food, exercising, and getting enough rest

– Spend time outside in nature and enjoy the beauty of creation

– Connect with people who can offer encouragement and support.

Summer

Summer is a season of great energy and productivity. It’s a time for action when we can take steps toward achieving our goals. The sun shines longer in this season, giving us energy and warmth to keep going. It is important to remember that God is always with us, even when it feels like there is no progress or success. In summer, we can expect hard work but also praise and celebration.

Here are some things we can do to stay motivated in this season: 

– Set aside time for rest, prayer, and reflection

– Celebrate successes no matter how small they may seem

– Surround yourself with people who will encourage you and help you reach your goals

– Take strategic leaps of faith and trust God to direct your path.

Fall

Fall is a season of harvest when everything comes to fruition. It’s the time to enjoy the fruits of our labor, reflect on what has been accomplished, celebrate victories, and prepare for the future. We can gain valuable insight during this season that can help us make better decisions in the future. In fall we can expect to reap the rewards of our hard work and spend time reflecting on what comes next. As it says in Ecclesiastes 3:11, “He has made everything beautiful in its time.”

Here are some things we can do to make the most of this season:

– Give thanks for all that God has provided and accomplished

– Pay it forward and donate and share with the needy

– Take time to rest and rejuvenate your spirit

– Spend quality time with family and friends, sharing stories and experiences 

– Think about future goals and plan steps for achieving them.

P.S. My post titled, “The Harvest is Plenty! | Bringing in the Sheaves in the Bible,” captures this season beautifully!

Through understanding these four spiritual seasons, we can better understand our Christian purpose. We can learn more about ourselves, others and how God is working throughout our lives.

Each season has its own unique purpose, and each season will bring different lessons and challenges. It’s important to embrace each season, learning all we can…so that we can better follow God’s plan for us. May you have the strength and wisdom to journey through these spiritual seasons with faith, courage, and an open heart.

Sons of Issachar!

The Bible mentions the sons of Issachar as a tribe of wise men who “understood the times and knew what Israel should do” (1 Chronicles 12:32). This shows us that understanding the seasons and using this knowledge to make decisions is not just a modern concept but one that has been practiced for centuries.

In today’s world, having spiritual discernment helps us recognize when we are in different spiritual seasons, why we are there, and how we can use our time productively during each season. It teaches us to have patience and not rush ahead before it is time while also recognizing when it is time to act or move on from where we are.

As Christians, understanding the times gives us the insight and power to trust God’s plan for our lives, following His will without fear or hesitation. As Proverbs 16:9 says, “In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.” With faith in God and wisdom from understanding the times, we can confidently move forward with purpose. 

And that’s it, folks, the four seasons of life and spiritual growth

At the end of the day, we must ask ourselves — what season am I in? Am I in Winter, where God is most likely working on my heart through refinement and testing to make me stronger for the next season? Am I in Spring, a season of new beginnings and fresh opportunities? Or am I in Summer, a time of flourishing joys and serving others with the gifts God has given me? Or perhaps I find myself in Fall, a beautiful time of reaping all that we have sown and resting after hard work?

No matter what season you are currently facing, it is important to remember that each one has purpose. Our loving Father desires us to journey every season and embrace it as an opportunity to draw nearer to Him and fulfill our Christian Purpose.

Hugs!