Turning off survival mode in difficult seasons

Photo by Steven Roussel on Unsplash

Are you in a difficult season that has left you in a unfamiliar place?

This year has not been the easiest for me as I have had some employment challenges and difficult moments to navigate in my marriage. Thankfully I have some good people in my life, who I am able to go to when times are tough, and during a recent conversation, a brother in Christ really got me thinking. This led to a question that would dramatically change the direction of 2025.

What does it mean for me to trust God in this moment?

Over the years, I have sometimes resorted to survival mode instead of living in seasons that have knocked me around. I have found myself disconnected, disengaged and actively abiding in Christ is the last thing I have had energy for. Not much trusting in God during some of these times.

What does life look like for you when in difficult seasons?

I mentioned earlier that there have been some dramatic changes this year, in fact, my wife and I are far from where we started 7 months ago. We have gone from living in the suburbs of Melbourne Australia in May, to now being in Ghana in West Africa(long story!). While this is the the last place I thought we would ever be in, God has us here for now.

So if you are reading this and are preparing for a tough time, or already in one, then I want to encourage you, as a follower of Christ, to live and not just survive during this chapter in your life.

To live in it is to acknowledge the difficulty and commit to not disconnecting

• Stay close to Jesus. Staying connected to him during this time is crucial. In John 15:4 we are told that we cannot bear fruit unless we abide in Jesus. We are, after all, like branches and apart from him we can do nothing.
• Remember God’s past provisions. Psalm 77:11-12 says that we should remember the deeds of Lord and to ponder on all his work. Spiritual amnesia can take place during these times so its important to be prepared.
• Allow others to join and support you. This can be hard for many, but having brothers and sisters in christ in your corner during these times will give you the strength and encouragement that will keep you going.

It can be so easy to forget that our times of trouble are often a great time of training and transformation. So as I wonder what God wants to do with me and my wife during this time, I hope and pray that your difficult season will be a fruitful one.