Although I’ve walked through many hard seasons, this one has been the hardest and the longest. I’ve come to call it ‘the season that keeps on giving.’ If you’ve ever been there, you know — it’s the season that knocks the wind out of you and takes every ounce of strength just to get out of bed. Some days, I don’t.
I have been left wondering if breakthrough will ever come.
The past couple of months, the trials have amped up. My health has been a bit off. Three dear friends passed away within the span of several weeks, then my car engine died, and I’m in the midst of figuring out my second move in five months.
I’m tired. I’m exhausted. I am downright weary. For over a year, every area of my life has been in some sort of test or trial or attack. In many ways, the enemy has taken some ground in my life. It wasn’t for a lack of my trying to resit, to defend, to stand my ground. But, at some point, I did tap out a little.
My word for the year has been rest — but this year has felt anything but restful. Still, the Lord keeps pressing it into my heart through sermons, songs, books, and friends.
I’ve realized how much my independence fights against rest. My default is to grit my teeth, pull up my bootstraps, and power through. But at its core, that’s pride — believing I can do it all without God or others.
God desires that we be fully dependent on Him. He wants us to trust Him with everything… our provision, our relationships, our hearts, our health, our world. Everything means everything. It’s definitely easier said than done.
True rest isn’t found in my striving or in trying to solve every problem myself. That only leads to exhaustion and spinning in circles. Real rest comes when I surrender and trust God to move in the ways He knows are best.
I’ve wanted to give up more times than I can count. I have wept more times than I care to admit. This season has not been marked with great faith or trust or hope. It has been marked by feeble prayers, doubts, questions, fear, and worry. I haven’t been the “model” Christian. The offering I’ve given to the Lord has been broken hallelujahs and “I praise You” through sobs.
This has been a season of lament and fellowshipping with Christ in His sufferings. I find great comfort that Jesus knows the pain we experience in this life because He experienced it. He knew the pain of betrayal, persecution, grief, need, hunger, rejection, conflict, and death. He knew. He felt. But, He didn’t stay there. He always set His eyes on the Father.
I love the Psalms for that reason. David and other psalmists began much of their writings in some form of turmoil and anguish, but would end in worship and praise to a good God. In this season, I am somewhere in the middle.
I’ve walked through a lot of lows with some hill moments sprinkled in. But, the Lord has been so kind and gracious and patient with me. He has honored my obedience to spend time in communion with Him and to reach out to friends. I’ve been vulnerable in sharing my honest thoughts and feelings. I didn’t have to dress up my situations with platitudes.
These friends have encouraged me, blessed me, and been generous to me. They have prophesied and fervently prayed and warred for me. They have held my arms up, had faith for me when I didn’t have it myself, and declared the future and hope that God has for me. They have reminded me of the Father’s goodness and faithfulness in the midst of the chaos surrounding me.
Along with rest, the Lord has been speaking the word endurance to me. Verses such as Romans 5:3-4, James 1:2-4, and James 1:12 have reminded me of such bittersweet truths during trials and suffering. We are blessed when we remain steadfast under trials. We are to count trials as joy. We are called to rejoice in our sufferings. Those sufferings produce endurance, character, and hope in us.
It hasn’t been easy, but His grace has sustained me — and my community has helped carry me when I couldn’t carry myself.
Some of my circumstances are beginning to lift, and I feel a little more joy and hope breaking through. God is turning things around, and I know He will be faithful to finish what He’s started.
If your season feels endlessly long and hard, He is right there with you. I’d love to pray for you!
Listen to Karina’s devotion here or wherever you stream podcasts.
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I have been in a long season and it seems as though I am going through another one. I can relate with the car issues, family struggles with my daughter along with financial struggles. I know that God is my provider and He is always here for me. I know that all this is temporary and at the end it will be all worth it and life will be better.
Thank you for sharing. I will pray for you.
Thank you for sharing!
Father, may your daughter count it all joy as she endures trials of many kinds. May she go deeper in her love and trust of you. We thank you for how You are working everything out for her good and Your glory!
In Jesus’ Name.
Amen.
“I’m tired. I’m exhausted. I am downright weary.”
You penned the words right out of my heart. Waiting for a breakthrough! But trusting Him during the process.
Thank you Areum for sharing!
Father, You are the God of breakthrough and turn around. We trust that it is coming. We thank You in advance. Give Your daughter peace in the middle.
In Jesus’ Name.
Amen.
hello! After I read this I ended up watching this video by Christine Caine – https://youtu.be/WrKZ05DoChA?si=FzF7l36cgES9wvtF and thought of you. So, I am sharing and hoping you will find encouragement from it just as I did to keep on keeping on. May today bring unexpected blessings to you! 🙂
Karina, you’re leaning on all which will provide you the strength you need to persevere, evolve, and thrive. Continuing in this long challenging walk will fade, and “a new thing” will be born into your life through God’s divine goodness and intervention.
I appreciate prayers for my two adult sons, who have been through a very long, painful season to finally have their hurting hearts be guided to forgiveness, restoration, and renewal. What a joyous day that will be for our family!
Peace,
Kathleen
This is really encouraging. I feel like the past few years have been one long hard season due to health issues etc. It I feel like my life has been put on hold due to it, but God has been faithful and I know He has been purifying amd refining me. I would still like to ask prayer to keep rejoicing and holding on to Him amidst the trials.
Thank you and bless you Karina! I will join with others in praying for you! I have and still am going through a very long and hard season. I am looking to and trusting the Lord to bring me through as He always has. God bless you all!
Thank you Kathleen for sharing!
Thank You Father that your desire is to return the hearts of the sons back to the fathers. You delight in bringing prodigals home. Soften her sons’ hearts. Convict them and give them hearts of compassion.
In Jesus’ Name.
Amen.
Would love prayer. Have been/am in that long, hard season too. And my word for the year was rest! Your words were confirmation of what the Lord has been teaching me this year and I’m seeing a light at the end of the tunnel. Please pray that I continue to learn to rest and trust as my husband and I embark on retirement—embarking on a road trip that literally has no end date! Terrifying and exciting and freeing. Pray for healing from trauma from having 2 of our 3 kids cancel us and withhold grandkids. This will be our first holiday season without family gatherings. But so many other friends and extended family have welcomed us in. He is faithful and He is good!
Thank you for sharing!
Father, You bring rest to weary souls. You bring joy in hard seasons. You author hope when all seems lost. I pray for a mighty move of Your Spirit in the life of Your daughter. I release healing and wholeness into her life.
In Jesus’ Name.
Amen.
Oh Karina, thank you so much for sharing, it means so much more than I can express. ((((Big hug!!)))) I’m so glad things are starting to lift a little for you. I’m just starting to come out a very long and difficult season for the last 7 years, so I can relate to all you have shared. Because of the wonderful (in)courage community, I was able to recognize the little signs that only God can create that He was (and is) with me. Not that I was able to do it all the time (or even most of the time, if I’m honest), keeping my eyes on Him was the biggest help, even when I was doing it through tears and screams. Blessings to you and all going through similar situations.
Thank you Cheyla for sharing!
I pray for God’s continued and sustaining grace in Your life! He is good and faithful!
In Jesus’ Name.
Amen.
God never leaves our side!
Amen and Amen Janet!!!!
Thank you for your uplifting message today. I am going through a rough patch. Learning to let go is hard. But I know God wants and knows just what I need.
Amen Kathy!
Father, thank you for carrying your daughter and knowing what she needs. Your ways are higher. Your timing is perfect. You are good!
In Jesus’ Name.
Amen.
Dear Karina………..It is Monday and I can’t say enough about your wonderful words in today’s devotion. It is like you were inside my mind describing my ” season that keeps on giving ” for the past over 5 years now. I have always tried to “fix” every problem that is really keeping me crying and praying. My then husband has dementia and after 3+ years of staying and trying to get him out of denial and do what the neurologists were telling us, he abused me every night as he drank too much and combined with the dementia he went into what is called “dementia rages”. One night he went one step too far and tried to kill me and this time I would not let him tear the phone out of my hands and my 911 call went through, but he did not realize that and the police were there in 5 minutes and the 911 dispatcher had recorded everything. That story goes on, but it is too long. I ended up having to get him out of the house or the doctors said, the next time he will kill you as there were too many guns in the house. After that, I had to put our house of 40 years up for sale as we both needed money to live in a Senior Living Facility. My son who was 52 at the time kept telling me I was a liar and there was nothing wrong with his father and 1 month later called and told me he no longer considered me his mother and that I could never, ever see my 1 grandchild again who was 11 at the time and this week he will be 15. So heartbreaking as they were telling all these nasty lies about me. They destroyed every card or gift I sent him before he got home from school. There were checks and money in some. Gone and they cut off all communication except the US mail and they took care of that. I have cried and felt so weary, as you said, I even felt like not getting out of bed. I had to file for divorce as I would never be able to live with him in safety. That has been another 4+ years of struggle with my attorney who felt sorry for my son. I finally found out why they hated me so much. This fact was mind blowing……..It is because I am a Christian and they think I should be in a mental institution. What in the world could I do about this? Finally about a month ago due to many prayers and your (in)courage devotions that I read every day first thing after I get up and get dressed, I realized that I could not do anything more than I had done to no avail. I looked back over all the words that all of you have given me and I, at last, got it thru my head, I was going in the wrong direction. I prayed to Jesus and asked if I could lay my burdens at his feet. He agreed, that is what I did and I finally was given some peace which I needed so very much. The battle goes on, but I have stopped worrying about all of this, but for one thing…..My grandson. My mind can forgive my son and his wife, but my heart says “No”. So now I pray and realize I am not alone in this and I need to be patient and “wait” until God tells me or shows me the life He has planned for me. I am 78 and all of this I could have never thought my life would end this way. Thank you Karina, and if you could be so kind as you sound, could you pray for me? I send my love and gratitude for your devotion. It has helped me so much, you cannot even imagine. I pray that your situation has been solved…………Your friend, Betsy Basile
Thank you for sharing Betsy!
May the God of all comfort comfort you in the biggest and sweetest of ways. He is good and kind and faithful. May His deep peace overwhelm you.
In Jesus’ Name.
Amen.
Praying for peace, comfort and a lightness of heart for you, Karina. Thank you so much for sharing your innermost hurts and thoughts as you reach out with a returning hope and the beginnings of joy again. You are faithful to give Him praise in your trials. Many of His richest blessings to you, today and every day.
I receive that Susan!!!!
i can certainly relate as i have been holding onto faith but am overwhelmed and trying to hang onto faith , please pray for me as i have a 5th back surgery coming up that could leave me paralyzed due to complications, also pray for my friend colleen who has RA, fibrosis lung disease and fibromyalgia,
Thank you for sharing Susan!
Jesus, every one of Your stripes and every bit of Your blood paid for our healing. I plead Your blood over both of Your daughters. I speak to all disease and pain to leave. I speak to every nerve, tendon, bone, ligament and muscle and I say be healed and line up with God’s divine purpose.
In Jesus’ Name.
Amen.
Writings like this can’t be easy to share, but I’m so glad you did. I felt seen and appreciated the reminder that Jesus is near during times of suffering. I am going to write those verses down to go back to as I have been in a long season of hardship as well. Thank you again, Karina. I will be praying for you.
Thank you Krista for sharing! It wasn’t easy to share, but I knew the Lord wanted me to.
Jesus is so near to the brokenhearted. May His Word bring You comfort and hope in your hard season. He is faithful!
In Jesus’ Name.
Amen.
Thank you Karina for sharing and encouraging us today. I have prayed for you and all the ladies here today with needs. I, too, have been and am still going through a very hard and long season. But I look to the Lord Jesus to bring me through as He always has! God’s richest blessings to you all!
Amen sister! Remember that Jesus during his sufferings had his eyes on the long game: “I have set the LORD always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure. For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption. You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” (Psalm 16:8-11)
I love this post and can relate to bad seasons. I had a bad season that lasted 10 years – I called it the season of my discontent. I know God carried me through that season.
I pray that you continue to move into a season filled with peace and joy.
God blesses us always even when we can’t see it or feel it.
Karina,
Thank you for being so vulnerable. You let others know they aren’t alone & God will see them through this time. Praying for everyone here. God is Jehovah Jirah our provider, Jehovah Rapha the Lord who heals or restores. He knows all needs & will come near to you brokenhearted people. Keep trusting & obeying Jesus.
I have a friend in a scary season. Her mom died of breast cancer. She had to have a breast biopsy & marker test Now they need to do another pap smear as they found a typical cells even though the first one was normal. She is worried to say the least & lives alone. Prayers please for Capri.
Blessings 🙂