Are They In Your Life For a Reason, a Season, or a Lifetime?

Are They In Your Life For a Reason, a Season, or a Lifetime?
By The Praying Woman 
http://theprayingwoman.com/are-they-in-your-life-for-a-reason-a-season-or-a-lifetime/
Posted on November 16, 2017
RELATED ITEMS: LETTING GO , OR A LIFETIME , REASON , RELATIONSHIPS ,
SEASON As I think back on the relationships I’ve had in my life, I feel blessed. Blessed to have experienced them.
I’ve had work relationships that were for a reason.
I’ve had ex’s and friendships that were for a season.
…And I have people in my life now that I pray are there for a lifetime.
I had to learn to see each relationship as not so much a devastating loss, but this wonderful experience I was so fortunate to have in the first place.
No one likes to think of their relationship as temporary , but the truth is… people enter our lives for a reason, season, or a lifetime. When we try to force relationships beyond their purpose, we will only end up disappointed.
How do you figure out which one it is? We may never know, but hopefully this helps.
A Reason
You may be thinking, well everyone is in your life for a reason right?
Well this is true, but when someone is in your life just for a particular reason . . . It is usually to meet a need you or they have prayed for.
God has sent them or you to assist through a difficulty, to provide with guidance and support, to aid physically, emotionally, or spiritually. They are there only for the reason God need them to be or vice versa.
Then, without any wrong doing on your part, the relationship will come to an end. Sometimes you just drift apart. Sometimes God will remove them from your life completely. You may not understand it and it may even be hard to let go.
What we must realize is that the need has been met, the desire has been fulfilled, the work is done. The prayer has been answered and now it is time to move on.
A Season
Sometimes we find ourselves in difficult seasons, because of our own doing. Making poor decisions, not praying to God for direction before making important decisions.
Examples of this are bad money management, neglecting your health, and choosing to be in ungodly relationships that do not align with God’s word.
When people come into your life for a season . . . It’s usually to help you grow, or to teach you a lesson. They may teach you something you may have never learned had it not been for this particular season.
Many will say that seasons bring eye opening experiences. They usually give you a new perspective on life.
Whenever you find yourself going through a tough season, remember God is not punishing you. Sometimes He has to allow us to grow and learn through our poor decisions in order for us to grow closer to Him.
It may hurt or feel as though the pain will never stop. But remember, it’s only for a season.
A Lifetime
Lifetime relationships are a gift from God. Cherish them. These are the relationships you are blessed to have until one of you take your last breath. (Family , friends , your spouse. etc.)
Don’t get me wrong, just because they are God sent, does not mean they are always going to be easy breezy. All relationships take effort on both parts.
Somedays you will probably feel like the relationship is not worth it. Other times you will feel thankful that God has placed them in your life.
Think about the people in your life over the years. Whether they were there for a reason, a season or a lifetime, accept them and treasure them for however long they were meant to be part of your life.
…Or as Dr. Seuss once wrote: “Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened.” Perhaps one of my favorite quotes ever!