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One afternoon recently a friend and I were having a candid discussion about life. My friend used the words; it’s just a season referring to a particularly difficult time. In moments like the one above, I find it easy to give advice. After all, from a spiritual and logic standpoint, my opinions make a lot of sense. But when it’s my difficult season, the spiritual and logical advice I need is hard to accept. Without a doubt you have been both the advisor with all the answers, and at other times the one receiving the counsel. And even when you know that the advice is both spiritual and logical, it is still hard to accept during a tough season. So what do we do?

Even the casual reader of Scripture knows about Jesus being tempted in the desert.  Think about how this difficult season of life transpired for Him.  First, it’s an undeniable truth that the Spirit led Him into the desert to be tempted.  None of us can truly understand the depth of the Father’s desire to let His son go through such an extended period of turmoil.  During the forty days of fasting, Mark and Luke tell us that He was tempted by the devil. Can you imagine a more challenging season!  But in the Father’s design it was needed.  We can only imagine what the days were like: fasting, temptation, wild animals, angels and I would assume some intense and powerful time of intercession with the Father.  Our lonely seasons cannot relate, but they are still tough.  To gain perspective for our seasons, it is very instructive to see the method of defense Christ used at the crescendo of the battle.

If you are anything like me, you have wasted some great seasons of testing.  We tend to go through those it’s just a season times with too much emotion and too little biblical insight.  I do know the Word.  But often in my journey, I avoid using it to my advantage, as the Father desires.  The pattern for Christ at the moment of truth was to use the Word.  That wasn’t just a coincidence.  He has given us a pattern that works. Satan tempted, and Jesus defended with Scripture (view Matthew 4:1-11).  I don’t see Him debating or avoiding the issue, just using the Word of God.  Undoubtedly, you have heard sermons on the pattern Christ used.  But often the application is left at the church doors.  In your next difficult season, or the one you are currently facing, be willing to use Scripture as a defense against the assault of Satan.  Verses like the ones below can be a great help.

Psalm 55:22
Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall.

Hebrews 4:15-16
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with
our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every
way, just as we are – yet was without sin. Let us then approach
the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive
mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

My advice may be spiritual and logical. His Word gives clear advice and can always be trusted. It is Truth! During your next it’s just a season, accept His clear counsel. It will work for both you and me.