Posted on September 19, 2025

As I was out mediating during my “walk and worship” trek the other morning, I began to thank God as I basked in the cool and crisp air, signaling a new season was on the horizon. Here it is! The beginning of a new month (September), and new adventures. As a version of my younger self, I have always loved the summer months. But as I become a little more seasoned, the change of Summer to Fall, has a greater appreciation now.

I love and appreciate how the Fall season brings an array of colors on the trees. I also love the crisp air that fills my lungs. How the cooler air greets face, and the sweet aroma of pumpkin – spiced coffee and lattes smells. I love what the Fall season means to me personally. But equally, I adore what each season means to us spiritually. You see, spiritual seasons are unique phases in one’s spiritual journey, analogous to natural seasons, where we experience distinct periods of growth, challenges, and transformation in our faith and relationship with God.

Seasons are created and directed by God. The prophet Daniel stated it better while giving God praise, “Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are His. He changes times and seasons; He sets up kings and deposes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning” (Daniel 2:20-21, NIV).

Spiritual seasons are unique phases in one’s spiritual journey, analogous to natural seasons, where individuals experience distinct periods of growth, challenges, and transformation. These phases or “shifts” can include periods of growth, rest, spiritual dryness, harvest, or renewal. This “shift” in seasons can help us as believers to mature, provide opportunities for us to flourish, much like the earth experiences cycles of planting, growing, and reaping. Seasons are purposefully! They are a necessary part of the believer’s journey as they are equivalent to the natural world’s winter, spring, summer, and fall season. Spiritual seasons have distinct qualities and offer unique lessons. Each seasons serves a divine purpose, marked by God’s active involvement to accomplish His plans for us.

Model of Spiritual Seasons

Spiritual seasons include the four main phases, paralleling the natural calendar.

• Winter (Barrenness and Testing): A season of introspection, stillness, and spiritual dryness. During this time, God may seem distant, and you may face doubts and trials. It is a period for learning deep reliance on God and preparing for new growth.
• Spring (Renewal and Awakening): A time of new beginnings and fresh inspiration, where faith feels rejuvenated and vibrant. It is a season for planting new spiritual seeds, embracing new endeavors, and witnessing the early stages of growth.
• Summer (Growth and Abundance): A phase of spiritual fruitfulness where you may feel a strong connection to God and experience blessings. This is a time to enjoy the fruits of your faith, share God's love with others, and stay focused amidst distractions.
• Autumn (Transition and Reflection): This season is for gathering the harvest of your spiritual labor and reflecting on the lessons learned. It can involve a process of "pruning," where God removes things that are no longer fruitful in preparation for the next cycle.

Seasons are not necessarily sequential, nor do they occur in chronological order or are experienced in the same way by everyone. They can overlap and vary in duration and intensity. However, God has a purpose for every season we pass through. Did you get it? Every season WE PASS THROUGH! We do not have to remain stuck in certain seasons. Seasons are not permanent. Seasons do not last forever, they are transient.

We may be in the spring season of our lives, and then out of nowhere; we experience a cold and hard winter season. Learning to adapt and adjust to the “shifting” of the seasons is imperative. Understanding the current spiritual season provides essential guidance for navigating through the challenges and aligning with God’s will.

Embracing these spiritual seasons is vital for our overall growth and wellbeing. Each phase, whether flourishing or challenging, contributes to develops within us great resilience and a deeper understanding of God’s divine purpose. As Believers, we are encouraged to navigate these seasons with grace, knowing that both the fruitful and barren times play a significant role in our spiritual journey and relationship with God.

Key Takeaways:

• Recognize/Discern Your Season: Pay attention to where you are spiritually rather than what you feel you “should” be doing. The first step to flourishing is to identify the spiritual season we are in and what it asks of us, such as resting, planting, or harvesting. Forcing growth in a season of rest can lead to burnout, while failing to act in a season of harvest can cause us to miss opportunities.
• Embrace Each Season/Embrace the Process: Both the comfortable and challenging phases contribute to overall spiritual maturation and a deeper relationship with God. Remember that spiritual seasons are a natural part of a believer’s journey. Don’t fight a difficult season, but trust that God is working in it for our ultimate growth.
• Align with God's Purpose and Guidance/Seek wisdom: Partnering with God and operating in alignment with His plans for each season brings grace, ease, and helps one flourish. Ask God for understanding about the purpose of the current season and what actions we should take. Just as the tribe of Issachar in the Bible "had understanding of the times," we can also seek this discernment.

Prayer: Lord, We thank You that every season of our lives is held in Your hands. When seasons come, help us to lean on You, and not to our own understanding. Teach us how to embrace each season – whether it is a time of planting, waiting, pruning, or harvest, with faith and patience. Give us wisdom to discern the lessons You teach in each season of our lives. In Jesus’ name, Amen.