For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:

a time to be born, and a time to die;

a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;

a time to kill, and a time to heal;

a time to break down, and a time to build up;

a time to weep, and a time to laugh;

a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together;

a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;

a time to seek, and a time to lose;

a time to keep, and a time to cast away;

a time to tear, and a time to sew;

a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;

a time to love, and a time to hate;

a time for war, and a time for peace.

—Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 (ESV)

I’ve never experienced such drastic seasons and rollercoasters of emotions as much as when I went full-time and full throttle into my business. You start to feel a little more pressure than you did when it was just a dream or even in the side hustle stage.

Now it all rests on you — the money you need, the service you provide, the difference you make — and it will even seem like the seasons you go through are your failure or success as well. But as we see in Ecclesiastes, seasons are a natural part of our lives. They aren't something we control, and everyone has them.

However, what we can do is deal with seasons gracefully and faithfully — whether they are full of happiness or tears, stress or ease. Here are a few reminders to help you do that well.

Know they’re natural

Every person who has ever lived has walked through seasons. The Bible is full of people who had seasons of wealth and poverty, faith and doubt. As humans, this is part of our lot, and that’s okay.

We need to recognize that seasons are natural and to not fight against them. Because we know that even though this may be a challenging season, a more joyful season could be right around the corner.

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. —Lamentations 3:22-23 (ESV)

Respond worshipfully

Regardless of our circumstances, God is with us and working in our lives. That is cause for joy! Our response is to worship — in gratitude, in our work, in seeking him above all else.

All we need to do is be present wherever we are and recognize how God is in that situation and how he is working it for our good … because I promise you he is. We only need to receive that and respond in worship.

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. —Romans 8:28 (ESV)

Lean on the Lord

In every season, God wants to give us more of himself. Seasons of transition and trial can be exhausting, but Jesus has told us exactly where we can find peace and rest from our hardships. Because sometimes the answer isn’t working more or harder … it’s leaning on him to give peace and restore us.

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. —Matthew 11:28 (ESV)

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. —Hebrews 12:1-2 (ESV, emphasis added)

We have the power to cast off the weights we carry and continue to run before us because Jesus is the founder of our faith. Our ability to handle seasons with grace and faith comes from outside of ourselves. So, look to Jesus and offer your season to the Lord, and you’ll find more grace for the moment than you thought possible.

How to Deal With Shifting Seasons in Business

Know they’re natural

Respond worshipfully

Lean on the Lord