Surely, you’ve heard the phrase “This too shall pass?”

Many attribute that saying as coming directly from the Bible, and while it’s not actually in the Scripture in that specific form, there are many passages that can certainly be read to mean that whatever calamity you’re going through will soon be over. (, as a common example). The phrase immediately brings to mind the idea that, no matter how bad things get, there’s always a ‘greener’ pasture, there’s always a downhill after the up, and there’s always healing after sickness (even if that healing is eternal rather than mortal!).

In the book of Ecclesiastes, the unknown author (though Solomon is implied) waxes philosophical on the meaning of life, and presents many ideas, concepts, and conclusions that ultimately end at the quite poignant “The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. 14 For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.” (, ESV)

Let’s look at for a moment though…

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:
2 a time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
3 a time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to break down, and a time to build up;
4 a time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
5 a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
6 a time to seek, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
7 a time to tear, and a time to sew;
a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
8 a time to love, and a time to hate;
a time for war, and a time for peace.

You might realize by now where this is going; even the good things shall come to pass! Everything has a time, and that time, that season, must at some point come to an end. While this may seem defeatist and pessimistic, know that that is not my intention! For after every downswing, is another upwards thrust, after every peak, comes another valley. Life is not a plateau – no, it’s an undulating landscape of lessons, hardships, good experiences, and bad. And throughout it all, we should look to God, and know that He is good, that He has our lives in His hands, and that there is nothing that will be too much for us to handle.
When times are at their lowest, know that there is always something better coming, perhaps not in this lifetime, but the next, and when times are great, know that even that season has it’s end, and the next may not be so wonderful, or, perhaps, it may be even more amazing than the last.

Where do you put your trust? In the future of God’s kingdom, or the season you’re in now, be that good or bad?