Read: Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

Almost all of us will agree that life has its ups and downs. King Solomon believed this and reflected on fluctuating circumstances in life. In Ecclesiastes, he wrote: “To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven… a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance” (Eccl. 3:1-4).

Solomon’s father, David, was called “a man after [God’s] own heart” (1 Sam. 13:14; Acts 13:22). Yet David’s life portrayed how life is filled with seasons of ups and downs. David wept over his and Bathsheba’s first child who became seriously ill (2 Sam. 12:22). With the death of his rebellious son Absalom, David experienced a time of deep mourning (2 Sam. 18:33). When the ark was brought to Jerusalem, David danced before the Lord in spiritual joy (2 Sam. 6:12-15). We find the psalmist writing songs of praise and jubilant laughter (Ps. 126:1-3) when they came out of bondage and distress.

Christian life is not always happy all the time. Paul the apostle says, “I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need” (Phil. 4:12). The Bible portrays the believer’s life as consisting of seasons of ups and downs. In what season are you? Whether a time of joy or sadness, each season should motivate us to seek the Lord and trust Him. After all, every season needs faith to get us through it. That is why Paul the apostle rightly says again, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Phil. 4:13).