By Stacey Kuszak
If I were to attach a season to thriving, it would be easy to choose summer. After all, it’s the season when things are homegrown, the time when people are more apt to slow down and exhale, when everything looks good and tastes good. Yes, it’s easier to thrive in summer than it is in winter.
Or is it?
In what season does a soul thrive?
In the bible, thriving is tied to perseverance. I don’t usually need perseverance in seasons of the soul that feel like summer.
I think a lot about the life of Joseph. Nobody would really look at his life and say he was thriving. It seems to me, that every good thing that happened to Joseph was followed by a heap of bad things. One step forward, ten steps back. Yet when I look at the whole of Joseph’s life, I am stunned by the constancy of God and His work to make every moment of Joseph’s life count.
In what season does a soul thrive?
Joseph thrived in situations where most would fail. His life was molded by pain and hardships. Yet he tells us time and again, “The Lord was with me.” In season and out, Joseph stayed connected to God, whether he was serving in the palace or surviving in the prison.
In my own seasons of perseverance, I’m tempted to strive and hustle my way through. At the first sign of trouble I go looking for God as if He has left me. I search for answers to why life is painful. I think surely this isn’t the story God wants to write.
Joseph didn’t spend much time asking why the series of unfortunate events happened to him. His general response was, “What should I do now?” Joseph was at peace with letting God write his story. The result? Joseph thrived.
In what season does a soul thrive?
If Joseph’s life is a testimony, a soul can thrive in any season if it is connected to God–if God is the one writing the story. Romans 5:3-5 reminds us of this promise:
We also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our heart through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
Certainly summer can be good for the soul, but the next time you find yourself in winter, don’t be dismayed. Hold on to the promise that God will use it all. Stay connected to Him and thrive.
