In Difficult Times-We Must Turn To Our God

A Time for Everything: Trusting God’s Seasons and Bearing His Fruit

Ecclesiastes 3:1–8 is a timeless passage that presents life as a series of seasons—each one under the total control of God. From birth to death, joy to sorrow, war to peace, the passage affirms that everything has its time and purpose. Yet, while Ecclesiastes invites us to accept the changing tides of life, the New Testament calls us to anchor our hearts in the unchanging peace of God. When read alongside Philippians 4:4–7 and Galatians 5:22–23, we find a fuller picture: life’s seasons may shift, but the Spirit of God produces lasting fruit that transcends circumstances.

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens” (Ecclesiastes 3:1. Solomon lays out 14 comparisons and contrasts of life’s opposites—birth and death, weeping and laughing, tearing and mending. Each of these reflects a reality of life. The wisdom of Ecclesiastes is that life is not meant to be controlled, only embraced, with a heart that trusts God’s timing.

The passage does not judge these times as good or bad—it simply states that they exist. Sorrow, loss, silence, and even conflict have their place. This is especially comforting for us as christians who may feel pressured to “always be happy” or who misunderstand pain as a sign of weak faith. Ecclesiastes grants permission to feel, to grieve, and to wait—knowing God works through all seasons.

In contrast, Philippians 4:4–7 calls us to “Rejoice in the Lord always” and to “not be anxious about anything.” At first, this may seem contradictory to Ecclesiastes’ description of life’s sorrows. How can we rejoice always if there is “a time to mourn” or “a time to weep”?

The answer lies in where our joy is rooted. Paul does not say, “Rejoice in your circumstances.” He says, “Rejoice in the Lord.” This joy is not tied to what happens in our lives, but to God’s unchanging character, His nearness, and His peace. Paul continues:

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6–7).

Ecclesiastes reminds us that difficult times will come, but Philippians assures us that God’s peace is available in all of them. The two messages do not contradict—they complete each other. One teaches us to accept life’s seasons, the other teaches us to remain spiritually anchored through them.

Paul’s list of the Fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22–23 helps us see what grows in our hearts when we walk with God through life’s varied seasons:

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.”

Each “fruit” is not circumstantial—it is spiritual. For example:

In “a time to weep,” we can still bear peace and gentleness. In “a time to mourn,” we can still display faithfulness and self-control. In “a time to speak,” we are called to use kindness and goodness. Even in “a time for war,” believers are urged to respond with love and patience wherever possible.

In other words, while life’s circumstances change, the character of Christ in us should remain steady and evident. The Fruit of the Spirit doesn’t deny the reality of life’s hard times—it simply rises above them.

The wisdom of Ecclesiastes helps us understand that not everything will go our way, and that grief and difficulty are part of the human journey. But Philippians and Galatians point us to a spiritual truth: God’s peace and the Spirit’s fruit are always within reach.

By accepting that there is “a time for everything,” we stop fighting the seasons of life. By rejoicing in the Lord and cultivating the Spirit’s fruit, we learn how to respond to every season with faith, grace, and resilience.

We find that in Ecclesiastes 3:1–8, it teaches us to live with wisdom and humility, recognizing that all things have their proper time under God’s rule. Philippians 4:4–7 encourages us to rejoice in the Lord always and trust Him through prayer. Galatians 5:22–23 reminds us that even as life changes, our spiritual fruit must remain—always impacted by the Spirit of God, not the world around us.

Together, these passages paint a complete picture of faithful living: one that accepts life’s changing seasons, while standing firm in God’s joy, peace, and character. When we do this, we become not just survivors of life’s seasons—but witnesses to God’s unchanging grace through them all.