Navigating Seasons of Plenty

At different points in our life, we often find ourselves praying and hoping for better days ahead in our journey. Whether it be a new job, a life partner, increased income, spiritual growth, expanding ministry, children, or any other desire, we all have dreams of a brighter future. Witnessing these dreams come to fruition in different seasons of our lives is truly a remarkable experience and what we refer to in this write-up as season of abundance or plenty. Please, access the first part on transitioning to seasons of abundance  here   http://arisesister.com/index.php/2024/08/07/transitioning-dry-seasons-abundance/

This article gives us insights to consider in navigating seasons of plenty.

• Remember the Lord your God.

In biblical narratives, the Israelites experienced seasons of hardship in Egypt and the wilderness and thereafter, God led them to the promised land, which was filled with abundance of God’s provision. During this transition, God reminded them to remain conscious so that while enjoying the good things God had given them, they would not forget their God or lose sight of His purpose and plan.

Deuteronomy 8:10-18

“When you have eaten and are satisfied, praise the Lord your God for the good land he has given you. Be careful that you do not forget the Lord your God, failing to observe his commands, his laws and his decrees that I am giving you this day.  Otherwise, when you eat and are satisfied, when you build fine houses and settle down, and when your herds and flocks grow large and your silver and gold increase and all you have is multiplied, then your heart will become proud and you will forget the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. He led you through the vast and dreadful wilderness, that thirsty and waterless land, with its venomous snakes and scorpions. He brought you water out of hard rock.  He gave you manna to eat in the wilderness, something your ancestors had never known, to humble and test you so that in the end it might go well with you.  You may say to yourself, “My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.”  But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your ancestors, as it is today.”

We can infer from the verses above that if we are not conscious in seasons of plenty, some potential pitfalls we can experience include relying on our own abilities or possessions rather than trusting in God, becoming prideful, allowing material possessions to become idols that we prioritize over our relationship with God, and even forgetting to acknowledge God as the source of all our blessings. Sometimes, when we have plenty, it is easy to be carried away by the beautiful things happening, or other times we can become overwhelmed by new responsibilities which come with seasons of plenty that we neglect spending time and staying in intimate relationship with God. Sometimes our focus can divert from God and using what God has provided for His glory.

In seasons of plenty, we need to remember God is the giver of all good things and focus on Him more than the gifts. Stay connected to God through prayer, worship, and fellowship to maintain intimacy with Him. Consistent communication with God is essential for deepening intimacy. Reflect on past seasons of hardship and recognize how God has guided you through them and cultivate an attitude of gratitude which tilts the focus towards God. By staying connected to God, we can discern how to effectively steward and utilize the things He has entrusted to us for His glory.

• Discern the season, recognize its demands and plan accordingly

Life is in times and seasons and discerning the season you are in helps in navigating it. In Genesis 41, while serving the King, Joseph discerned it was a season of plenty, he stored up food during the seven years of plenty which served in the subsequent years of famine.

Seasons of plenty often come with increased responsibilities in managing what has been entrusted to you. Picture yourself as a single person in one season, juggling a job. Your focus during that time may center around personal growth in your faith, meeting professional goals, and other personal endeavors. Now, imagine another season where you still have your job, you are also blessed with a spouse and children. In this season, you realize other responsibilities have added such as caring for your spouse and raising your children in the ways of God. Understanding the season, you are in, recognizing the demands of each season and planning accordingly, can help maintain a healthy balance.

• Seek help when necessary.

Seasons of plenty usually come with added responsibilities. Sometimes we may need help in different ways to navigate this season. This assistance can come in various forms, such as seeking advice from individuals who have experience in similar situations or delegating tasks to others to ensure success. In the Bible, the story of Moses’ leadership journey provides a valuable lesson on finding help and delegating task to accomplish assignments. At a point in his leadership journey, Moses spent long hours judging the Israelites’ disputes which could wear him out.  Moses’ father in-law Jethro advised Moses to delegate some of his responsibilities by selecting capable and God-fearing individuals to assist with smaller matters, allowing Moses to focus on more significant issues. By following Jethro’s advice, Moses was able to effectively fulfill his assignment with the assistance he got (Exodus 18).

This story serves as a reminder that seeking help when needed is not a sign of weakness, but rather a wise decision that can lead to greater success and effectiveness in fulfilling one’s responsibilities.

• Seek wise counsel and adopt strategies in line with fulfilling purpose

Seeking wise counsel from individuals who can offer valuable insights to guide you through different seasons is crucial and implementing strategies that are centered on fulfilling God’s purpose in every phase of life is essential. It is important to remember that wise counsel will always steer you towards aligning with God’s word, rather than straying from it.

Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counselors they are established (Proverbs 15:22).

Some new seasons may require new strategies while working to attain a similar goal as in the previous season. This is important because sometimes we try to approach a new season with old strategies and it’s not working. Then we give up on assignments thinking it’s not going to work meanwhile we just needed a change of strategy.

In the bible we see an example of adopting wise strategies in Acts 6. As the number of disciples grew, so did the responsibilities of meeting the needs of the people. The twelve disciples recognized the importance of focusing on the ministry of the word and prayer, while also addressing the practical needs of the widows in their community. To balance these responsibilities, they appointed seven individuals to oversee the practical aspects of serving the people, allowing the disciples to focus on their primary mission. By implementing this strategic approach, the disciples were able to effectively carry out their assignment, leading to the spread of the word of God and the number of disciples multiplied.

• Find time for retreat, recreation and rest

Though seasons of abundance can also bring increased responsibilities, it is crucial to avoid burnout by intentionally scheduling time for retreats, recreation and rest as well as scheduling time for self-care.

• Rely on the Holy Spirit

While the above mentioned points can be an eye-opener on navigating seasons of plenty, they are not exhaustive. It is important to be mindful of your individual circumstances and to seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit in order to navigate every season in a way that brings glory to God. With the help of the Holy Spirit, we are empowered to effectively manage our responsibilities and use the things entrusted to us in a manner that is pleasing to God and contributes to the advancement of His kingdom.

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you (John 14:26).

Always remember that every good gift comes from the Lord. Your focus in every season, including seasons of plenty, should remain on God and utilizing what He provides to glorify Him in accordance with His will.

Remain Blessed!