Today, I’m sharing a guest post about the autumn season and Bible verses to help lift our spirts. A good friend, Dominique, shares her insights. She has many talents, including blogging and graphic designs. I list her bio and contact information at the bottom of the post. Please enjoy.
Autumn
Every season of the year has its own beauty while presenting its own challenges. Winter means Christmas and sweaters and cuddling under blankets, but, of course, the sweaters and blankets are because it’s cold and barren outside. Spring brings new life and warmer weather and… allergies… and lots and lots of rain. Summer is a delightful time spent on leisurely vacations in the hot, hot sun with your children who you love, but who also bicker and complain of boredom every five minutes.
Autumn is no exception. By the time autumn rolls around every year, you might find yourself inevitably looking forward to the busyness and fun of the holidays with a mixture of joy and sheer panic. You might love the colors of fall but feel sorrow when your beautiful summer garden dies. Everyone goes back to school and work, which sometimes means a return to a comforting rhythm, but at other times feels like all the air has been sucked out of the room and you are trapped in a never-ending cycle. Not to mention that as the year winds down, you start reflecting on all the things you’ve accomplished but also all that you meant to do but never got around to doing.
Seasons
Almighty God, the Creator of the universe, set our world up this way, mixing joy and longing and hope and sorrow in everything we do. He tells us clearly in Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 (NIV) that there is a time and a season for everything: birth, death, planting, harvesting, weeping, laughing, keeping, and throwing away, to name a few. No matter what you’re facing, you can always turn to His Word for comfort and strength. The following are some verses that might help you address specific situations or emotions this fall season.
Sorrow:
Isaiah 40:8 (NIV) “The grass withers, and the flowers fall, but the Word of our God endures forever.” Everything around you may look bleak, both figuratively and literally, but you can cling to a God who never changes and never leaves you. His promises never fail.
Fatigue:
Isaiah 40:31 (NIV) “But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.” If you feel like you have no energy or strength and can’t go on, ask the Lord for help. Ask Him for His strength. He knows exactly what you need.
Overwhelmed:
Matthew 11:28 (NIV) “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” God never asks us to carry the weight alone. He welcomes us with open arms and gives us rest in our souls.
Lack of Purpose:
Ephesians 2:10 (NIV) “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago.” Read that again – God has planned good things for you to do before you were even born. You are a beautiful work of art to Him.
Fear:
Psalm 4:8 (NIV) “In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.” It is the Lord, Himself, who protects us, keeps us safe, and gives us peace.
Anxiety:
Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV) “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Loneliness:
Romans 8:38-39 (NIV) “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
In All Seasons
Although it doesn’t always feel like it, the Lord tells us that absolutely nothing can separate us from His love – whether it’s loneliness, anxiety, fear, or personal struggles – so ask Him to show His love to you in a tangible way. And because He loves to give good gifts to His children, He will always ensure that you keep your joy, peace and hope no matter the season!
Bio:
Dominique Couffignal is French born but has been living in London, England for the past 20 years. She loves the Lord, Nature, and graphic design and she runs a Christian blog and an online Christian store (Bible-based printables).
Such sweet blessings to start my day. Am printing this out to save my friend. Thank you, and God’s blessings.
She is really a sweet person too. Thanks JD. Blessings
Great encouragement for this most beautiful season. Thanks and God bless.
This is my favorite season also. Thanks Nancy. Blessings
Such an inspiring message for any season. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks Katherine. I appreciate your visiting and commenting. Blessings
Thank you, Dominique, for sharing these beautiful insights from God’s Word. Thanks, Yvonne, for introducing us to her. Blessings to you both!
Thanks Barbara. Blessings
Great verses that meet us right where we are! We’re all in need of the encouragement we find in the Scriptures. Thank you for sharing these, Yvonne!
Thanks Melinda. Blessings
Thank you for sharing this message. I am thankful for the Word of God. Have a blessed day!
Me too Melissa. Thanks and blessings
I needed this! Thank you. And happy autumn. 🙂
Happy autumn to you too. Thanks Jessica. Blessings
Such a timely reminder that when seasons bring troubling thoughts and memories, they are also an opportunity to remember our heavenly Father’s faithfulness throughout all seasons!
Very true Ava. We must always remember His faithfulness in all seasons. Thanks and blessings
Yvonne, thanks for sharing Dominique with us! These seasons of life and the specific scripture antidote really inspired me.
Thanks Karen. She is an inspiration to me. Blessings
I really enjoyed these Bible verses, and I appreciate how they were organized so I can easily pick one for any situation. Thank you!
Thanks Annie. She did a great job with it. Blessings
Beautiful scriptures for hard situations. Makes a Great Reference guide.
Thanks Jen.