As we wrap up looking at perception, let’s look at one more area: our perception of our current season of life. This year has brought challenges, twists, and turns, and it can get discouraging being hit with one change after another.

Fortunately, we are offered hope through Jesus! Not in a cliché “Just pray and read your Bible more,” but a solid truth that our God is with us no matter what we’re going through.

In Esther’s life, she found one season of her life taking a surprising turn – She was chosen to be a queen! But this took another turn as a man named Haman plotted to harm the Jewish people, Esther’s nationality.

The account of Queen Esther ends with her gaining the king’s approval to take measures to protect the Jewish people, and they ended up with victory in the end. Why look at this story now?

Esther was afraid to walk through the circumstances that were in front of her. The obstacles in the way of what she needed to do seemed too big, scary, or impossible. Then her uncle Mordecai says something that is often repeated even today:

“Who knows if perhaps you were made queen for just such a time as this?” – Esther 4:14

God sees every detail of our lives, and He places us where we need to be even when we don’t understand the season we are in. He knows where we are today, the burdens we carry, and the hope that we hold on to. He also sees who He has intentionally created us to be and knows how to carefully mold us to become the truest versions of ourselves – Healed, healthy, whole, and free of the weight that so easily holds us back.

Through Him we have freedom, and walking with Him we have a sure shelter to turn to when the world around us is uncertain. There is more to the seasons we walk through than what we can see at the time, but we can trust that God will be with us through them and will teach us the sweetness and relief of truly relying on Him in all circumstances. We are secure in Him!

Reminder: God loves us dearly. We can go to Him with anything that’s on our minds – thankfulness, fear, joy, and pain – and He will help us through it.

Here’s to our journey!