“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times” is the famous line from “A Tale of Two Cities.” And that is exactly how we can feel in our personal lives. In one area of life, we are in an amazing season, while in another area; we may be going through the most difficult time in our lives. We can find ourselves on parallel seasonal tracks all at the same time. Our personal relationship with God, our marriage, our singleness, family, business, finances, job, church, or relationships can all be in different seasons simultaneously. When LaVerne and I were in our 20s, we were experiencing revival in youth ministry. But in the midst of many teenagers coming to Christ, I was struggling with my job. We were also going through a difficult season in our marriage. And it was all happening at the same time!

LaVerne and I went for help in the midst of this winter season. First we received prayer from a couple we met at a Christian Music Festival, and then we found a Christian counselor. We were desperate. We needed to talk to someone to “confess your faults one to another and pray for one another so that you might be healed (James 5:16).” God healed our marriage and the rest is history. But we needed to humble ourselves and get help. The success in youth ministry we were experiencing was no excuse to not get help during this parallel season of difficulty. If you are in a winter season in an area of your life, talk to someone you trust, receive prayer, and experience healing. Life it too short to hide in darkness. “But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin. (I John 1:7).”