Seasons, Expectations & Surrender

We all know that we will experience different seasons in life. It's inevitable. It's natural. Seasons change. People come and go. New experiences and milestones emerge on the horizon.

I often have very specific expectations for what I think a particular season is supposed to look like. The problem with that is... I very rarely know what things are "supposed" to look like. :)

This is where surrender comes in. 

It's not a once in a lifetime kind of deal.

It's an every day, every moment, every new season kind of deal.

The need to surrender emotions, fears, doubts, expectations. 

Not ignoring or discarding them aimlessly.... but learning how to appropriately and effectively acknowledge and experience them, and then continue to move forward. Working through those emotions and unmet expectations are all a part of the process of being refined. 

Being made new daily. 

Being made more and more into the likeness of Jesus. 

Fighting against the natural desires of the flesh and choosing holiness.

Precious diamonds are formed under pressure, too.

"Diamonds are crystals of pure carbon that form under crushing pressures and intense heat. They mostly form in the Earth's mantle, the layer beneath the crust or surface layer, at a depth of about 150km" (Natural History Museum).

These jewels require "crushing pressures and intense heat" in the process of refinement. Our hearts are the same way. The pressures and trials and struggles will lead us to something greater, something better. I also love the correlation of time and depth that are necessary to expose beautiful diamonds after this process. It is not quick or trivial.

How can we expect to be made fully mature and complete after very little time and shallow experiences?

God knows what we need, and just like a parent, sometimes it pains Him to watch us endure a difficult time... but that does not negate the fact that He knows and has a purpose.

He sees your heart.

Don't give in to the lie that He has left you in this time.

Grace + Truth + Time = Growth

[Changes that Heal, Henry Cloud] 

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." 
James 1:2-4

"Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us." 

Romans 5: 1-5 

Seasons come and go, and each one has a purpose. I've found myself frustrated lately because the two months after I came back from Panama were the most content two months of my life. I was solid. Lovin' life. 

Then, I believe, due to the pressures and brokenness of the world we live in, my heart started to experience more of that suffering that Paul and James talk about. The kind of suffering that produces perseverance, character, hope, and maturity. If those things are the result of this suffering, then I will endure! There is purpose. And there is a new season coming. 

Therefore, we can 
REJOICE 
in the hope that He has given.

**http://www.nhm.ac.uk/nature-online/earth/rock-minerals/diamonds/diamond-formation