Dealing with Difficult Seasons of Life

Often I will pick a book up because of its title.  Maybe it is catchy.  Or maybe it is concise: letting me know that the focus of the book is just what I am looking for.  Either way, if the title doesn’t get me… chances are I won’t pick up the book.

But titles can be tricky, and often misleading, so before I invest time or money into a book I check one more thing… the Table of Contents.

I want to see if what this author has to say is of interest to me.  If it is a novel or fiction I look for a story line I can relate to or one that seems exciting.

Of course, not every page of the book turns out to be perfect.  Some pages are boring.  But when you go in order you give the characters time to develop… the story time to unfold.  And at the end, even if you say, “it could have done without chapter 5”… you aren’t the editor. 

So in order to “finish” the book… you “get through” the dry, boring chapters where little side stories develop; side stories that make you think things like, “Oh they are just setting up a sequel” or, “They want to make this into a movie.”

And all along – even if you disagree – you have to come to the conclusion that the author had a reason for chapter 5.

It is his right… he is the author.

How often it goes the same way when I look at my life. 

And I begin to understand why God often just tells us a Title, a Table of Contents, or even just a Chapter Heading regarding our lives.

He wants us to continue forward.  So He shares a great title, “Eternal Life Through Jesus.”

The table of contents made you feel hope.  Chapter 1: A Sinner is Saved, Chapter 2: Strength in the Spirit, Chapter 3: True love!, Chapter 4: A family begins… and then…

 Chapter 5: The Storm…

But you picked it up anyway and begin reading because Chapter 6 reads:  Promises Kept.

. 

Maybe Chapter 5 has you losing something, or someone.  Maybe Chapter 5 is something you pray about and wonder if the Author really needed to put this one in here.

And why is it that Chapter 5 always seems so much longer than the other chapters… the ones with a lot of smiles and answered prayers?

But, He is the Author.  And it is His right.

And maybe, just maybe, Chapter 5 is there to give time for the character – your character – to develop.  Maybe it is there to allow for just the right amount of time for the story to unfold.

If you are in a place where you feel you don’t have answers…

If you are in a place where you feel that it might all just be wrong…

If you are in a place where you wonder if it is worth it or if you would be better off just putting the book down…

You just might be in Chapter 5.  The chapter where character develops.

Keep reading.

The Author and Finisher of your faith… our Lord…

He put it there for a reason… and it is a good one.

The story always has a victorious ending.

SDG