By Nancy Virden (c)2022

Life is lived in seasons. These seasons dictate our choices at the moment. In three examples, the father of two young children will probably not choose to take a year away from his family to travel the world. A mature woman will not sign up for the WNBA for the first time. A boy in first grade will not graduate High School that year.

Hopes and dreams drive us far beyond our seasons. All three of the above examples may hope to one day experience at least some of their goals. The father waits to travel until his children are grown, the woman plays basketball with a senior group, and the boy eventually graduates.

Wisdom is knowing our season

About 30 AD, Jesus’ followers faced a conundrum. While food was being distributed daily to the poor, some believers complained that their widows were neglected. The leaders of the movement of Christ Jesus were preachers and church planters. They made a wise decision to delegate this food duty to other men. Their spokesperson said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables.” They were right! It was the season of introducing Jesus to the world. To sacrifice that for another good deed would have been to neglect God’s priority for them.

When setting healthy boundaries around ourselves, considering our seasons can make a big difference. Outside of our seasons, we may try and fail or wind up having an incomplete or mediocre experience.

What seasons are you in at present? (You may be in more than one in each category.)

Finances:

Age:

Family:

Labor:

Spiritual Labor:

Health:

Exceptional demands:  

Choose your priorities carefully. To begin living in a balanced, mentally healthy way, know your season. Respect and appreciate where you are. When we know when changes are appropriate, we know when not to make a change.

More to come…

-COMMENTS WELCOME

Today’s Helpful Word

Acts 6: 1-7

In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenistic Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.”

This proposal pleased the whole group… So the word of God spread…

If you are feeling suicidal, or concerned about someone who is, in the U.S. call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-TALK (8255), or for a list of international suicide hotlines, go here.

If you are suicidal with a plan, immediately call 911 in the U.S. or go to your nearest emergency room. In the EU call 112. (For other international emergency numbers, go here ). Hope and help are yours!

Always the Fight Ministries (ATFM) has been displaying compassion for those fighting mental illness, addiction, or abuse since 2012. Nancy is the founder and voice of ATFM and openly shares her emotional resurrection from despair. NOTE: Nancy is not a doctor or a mental health professional, and speaks only from personal experience and observations. In no way is this website intended to substitute for professional mental or behavioral health care.

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