Hey friend, I’m sorry I’ve been gone for a while, but I had some really serious things on my plate that needed to be tended to immediately. For the past couple of months I’ve been through many different seasons and, while some were difficult seasons, something really good happened while I was away. I got married! Talk about stress! Now I know why people hire wedding planners to help them plan their special day. Thankfully it’s over and my husband, Brian, and I can enjoy the rest of our life together!

Fall is my favorite season of the year, with warm sweaters, cool boots, and yummy hot cocoa. It’s funny reading Facebook at this time because it seems like people are either complaining about the impending winter season, or they are loving this colorful season with pumpkin spice everything! To each their own, I guess!

What is your season looking like? Are you struggling like I have for the past year? If you are, you’re not alone. Even though I love the colder seasons, I know that the holiday season is coming up and I won’t get to see my daughter. She’s been the main focus of the past year and I miss her dearly but I’ve made peace with the current status of our relationship and I plan on enjoying this new journey with my new husband.

Let’s talk about Hezekiah’s faith a little bit. Sennacherib, the naughty king of Assyria came over to Judah to defeat Hezekiah’s army so that he might make the cities in that area his own. He wanted power and he would stop at nothing to get it, even if that meant he destroyed God’s people. But Hezekiah’s faith wouldn’t let that happen. “With us is the LORD God, to help us and to fight our battles.” Hezekiah knew the mighty power of God and he wanted his army to know that God would be with him at the forefront of the battle with Sennacherib. God sent and angel to defeat Sennacherib, and Hezekiah won the battle that day with the LORD’s help!

Have you ever wondered how you would react if something terrible happened? My husband and I love to go shooting and I often wonder if I’d be quick enough in an active shooter situation. I have practiced a lot, but I don’t think I get the same adrenaline rush as I might have if I’m faced with an active shooter. One thing I do know is that I’d call on Jesus first and foremost. I practice this in my morning prayers, throughout the day, and I’ve even done it when I’ve been placed in scary situations. I know that every battle I face is fought by my Father in Heaven the moment I call on Him.

We go through many battles throughout our lives and we don’t always use God’s power to get us through. In the beginning of my christian life, I didn’t quite have a strong faith and I would try to use my own measly strength to get through difficult seasons. This lead to a lot of heartbreak and a consistent lack of peace. That’s not what God wants for us and that is why He constantly tells us not to be dismayed. I’ve had to learn how to lean on His wisdom and put aside my human understanding. I want to encourage you to do the same.

Pray often. If you want the LORD’s provisions to help you through a rough season, pray a lot. Not just when times are tough, but all of the time. Build your relationship with Him and get to know His character and love for you.

Read your Bible. The Bible is not only God’s love letter to you, but it’s also your instruction manual on navigating this lost and lonely world. Everything you need to know is written in scripture and every season of life is recognized in God’s wonderful Word.

Have faith. I won’t lie, this part can be hard. Humans want to see so they can believe, but we have to get out of that mindset if we want to overcome the battles of this world. God knows what He is doing and He has walked every step we’ll ever take, so it’s important to trust that He is fighting for us. His will for our lives is awesome because “we know all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28).”

Because of God’s love for us, we can fight battles we never thought we’d win. We have the strongest, mightiest God on our side and He is going to get us through these difficult and dark seasons. He wants to show us His majesty in the colorful trees, in the early evening darkness, and in our lives. He loves you, friend! And so do I. If you need prayer today, please email me at joleen@the-virtuous-soul.org and I’ll be more than happy to send you a prayer of encouragement. Have a wonderful day, my dear friend.