It’s your shifting season
Every single day, I eat at least a small handful of four kinds of different berries: strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and blackberries.
Berries are incredibly healthy. They’re high in fiber, vitamin C and antioxidants. Even though I consume them regularly nowadays (I’m munching on a few as I write this post.), it wasn’t always this way. There was a time when I didn’t like berries, because I thought they weren’t sweet enough. And I especially disliked blackberries. I found them to be intolerably bitter.
Growing up, I only ate sweet fruits like red apples, cantaloupes, honey dew melons, purple or red grapes, and watermelons. I never even liked Granny Smith apples or green grapes, because they were too tangy.
But now that I have drastically changed my eating habits, and I consciously limit fructose, my taste buds are more sensitive to sugar. The result? Berries taste way sweeter than they used to – even blackberries which are now my favorite.
Yesterday, I grabbed a couple of strawberries out of the fridge, and when I bit into one of them, my eyes widened with delight. They were sugary sweet, juicy and delicious.
Yum!
I’m glad I didn’t give up on berries prematurely, because I would have missed out on all their healthiness and tastiness.
Have you ever rejected a new taste, task or experience because it was too different from what you were accustomed to? If so, you’re like most of us. We like what we like, and we don’t like to change it. Adapting to change takes time, whatever the transition may be.
Difficult and uncomfortable as change is, God allows transitional phases to grow our faith, mature us and prepare us for greater blessings. The more willing we are to say yes to these transitional seasons and trust God through them, the more He can do for us.
“There is something bigger and better God wants to do in your life. That’s why you’re going through so many changes. It’s your shifting season. If you say yes to God as you walk through this wilderness, there’s a major breakthrough you’ll step right into. ”
For a quick moment, think about Moses and the transition he went through. He did not want to be the one to deliver Israel from Egyptian slavery. In fact, he argued with God so he wouldn’t have to step into that role (Exodus 4). He felt unequipped for such a major assignment but couldn’t wiggle out of it. To make matters worse, the Israelites didn’t adapt well to his leadership. They were disgruntled, inflexible, rebellious and abusive to Moses.
This whole wilderness trek was shaping up to be a mess!
The Israelites missed the flavorful variety of food they had in Egypt, and they were sick of eating bland-tasting Manna despite it being bread God supernaturally rained from Heaven, according to Numbers 11.
Things got so bad, Moses had a mental breakdown after he heard people from every family crying in frustration. Everywhere he turned, they were wailing and hysterical. In verses 11-12, Moses went to God and said, “Lord, why have you brought me this trouble? How have I displeased you that you put the burden of all these people on me? Am I their mother? Did I give birth to them? Are you really asking me to carry them in my arms—as a nurse carries a baby—all the way to the land you promised their ancestors with an oath?”
This great Hebrew leader was stressed to the max. It wasn’t like he had power to provide meat for Israel, and there certainly was no going back to Egypt! Later in this chapter, thankfully, God gave Moses some help, and he kept his sanity. But even after that, Israel did a poor job of adapting to the process God was using to create positive progress in their life. They were so resistant to change, they prolonged their time in the wilderness and went through a lot of unnecessary hardships.
God doesn’t want that for you.
I believe God is sending this word specifically to somebody who is uncomfortable and going through a shifting season or a transitional phase. You don’t have all the answers about how things will work out, but you do have a promise from God. And that is all you need.
Though you may be in the wilderness today, you are headed toward a big blessing. The shift might not feel good, but great things are on the horizon. God is stretching you and challenging you. But don’t grow weary through the process. You will reap a harvest (Galatians 6:9) if you embrace your shifting season.
Listen. Accept the transition – even through the painful and uncomfortable moments. What’s on the other side of this is amazing. Trust God through your dry places. Believe God has equipped you. Willingly give up what you’re used to in exchange for the new and better thing God is doing. That’s not easy, but it’s necessary.
Some people say, trust the process. I say, trust the God of the process. God knows just what He’s doing. There is no failure in Him. He knows how to make a way out of no way and work miracles. I’ve seen Him do it for me many times, and He will do it for you. Just believe Him.
To encourage you through this shifting season, I’m stirring Isaiah 43:19 NIV into your cup of inspiration which is God’s message to you. He’s saying, “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”
As you drink down the contents of your cup, cling to the word of God with everything you have, and the new thing God has promised will unfold.
Now, let’s pray.
God, thank You for being with me through every twist and turn as I go through this shifting season. I am willing to go wherever You lead me and release what’s behind me. As I submit to Your process, I thank You for blessings, favor, increase, breakthrough and the manifestation of every promise. I know Your word is true, and I trust You through whatever. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
If you desire prayer, please allow me, along with my intercessory prayer team, to stand in faith with you for breakthrough. We would be so honored. We have seen God work over and over again. There is power in agreement. Click here to request prayer now.
As always, thanks for reading and until next time... may today's cup of inspiration uplift, encourage, and empower you!
