Four Seasons Of Marriage

“Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy.” – Acts 14:17 (NIV).  

Marriage relationships are constantly changing. Attitudes shift, emotions fluctuate, and circumstances change. The natural seasons – spring, summer, fall, and winter are analogous for the changes that occur in a marriage. Marriages are perpetually in a state of transition, continually moving from summer to fall or perhaps from winter to spring – perhaps not annually, as in nature, but just as certainly and consistently. And typically, the cycle repeats itself many times throughout the life of a marriage. It is important to know which season your marriage is in and how to deal with the challenges and opportunities each season presents.  

The “Spring” of marriage is the time of productivity and being busy. Instead of letting the busyness of life take over, you have to find time to say “No” to other things and to say “Yes” to the marriage. The “Summer” of marriage is a time of rest and relaxation where you have time to work at the marriage because you have the space to do it. The “Fall” of marriage is the time of big change. Whether it’s a career change, having more kids or losing a loved one, change happens and it can cause a lot of stress on the marriage. The “Winter” of marriage is the time of struggle and sadness full of obstacles and stress. This is the season when you have to fight the hardest for your marriage. 

No matter what season we are in we need to remember that God is in control. The seasons change because of God’s design and control. He graciously provided four seasons on the Earth for a reason. Not every area of the country enjoys as major of a change as others, but the seasons still produce what God intends for them to produce. As Solomon said, “…there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven.” This time is fixed and follows God’s pattern and design. In the same way, God is in control in each season of your marriage. 

In addition, God intends for us to take advantage of this season. God’s intention in this season of your life is for you to not just accept it but embrace it. This is what God has given to you. So look at this season as God’s gift to you and your spouse. God desires for you to respect and trust Him in this season. God’s design in bringing various seasons in life with both their opportunities and challenges teaches us to trust Him – His plan, His purposes, and His character. He brings these things in His timing or season in order to also produce respect. We are not in charge. We do not determine the season. God does. Therefore, as the seasons come and go, we are to increasingly trust God with them and our marriage.

Discussion Questions:

1. Does the season change help you respect and trust God more? Do you embrace the opportunities and challenges ahead? Do you see this season as a gift? 
2. What can we do to better trust God and rejoice in this season?