The Season of Separation

To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; A time to plant, and a time to pluck what is planted – Ecclesiastes 3:1-2

Today, I want to share a bit about the season I’m currently walking through a season of separation.

If you’ve ever experienced this, you’ll know it can start out feeling very lonely and quiet and even a little like you are being punished. It disrupts your norm and brings discomfort. I’ve been through this a few times in my journey – times when God gently called me out of my comfort zone for a period of refinement. But until now, those seasons have never included my nuclear family.

I come from a very close-knit family. In fact, I only moved out of the family home a few months ago – at age 38 – so this shift has been monumental. At the start of this season, God, in His loving wisdom, warned me. And in my finite wisdom, I assumed it was just part of adjusting to a new normal. 😊 I love my comfort so much that even with big neon signs flashing “Change Ahead,” I was still trying to convince myself otherwise.

The warnings I had received prepared me to brace for impact – but it also soothed me: this time of solitude was intentional and had purpose. That He was bringing me into alignment with Him. (You know I’m His favorite, right? 🙂)

Yet, when the separation began, I had moments of shock, disbelief, and yes – pain. But in the darker moments, God reminded me of the messages He had sent ahead. He gently placed in my heart the truth: this wasn’t pain for pain’s sake. It was an intentional cutting, a purposeful refinement, and this was for a time. He hadn’t abandoned me. (Even though my dramatic, emotional self offered this up as the sole purpose, things were going as they were.)

That reminder made all the difference. It calmed my heart and steadied my mind. I didn’t spiral. I didn’t obsess over every detail or try to figure out what I did wrong. Instead, I surrendered. I shifted my focus to leaning into God, praying for clarity, for direction, and for growth in this season.

And it’s made a world of difference.

By nature, I’m someone who seeks to understand the rationale behind everything before I take a step. I want to analyze it and make sense of it all. But this time, I’m choosing a different path. I’m being intentional about seeking His face and listening for His voice. I’m moving cautiously, aware that the decisions I make now carry weight.

So I’ve shifted my focus to the question: 
What do I need to learn and develop in this time?
What part of me is being refined?
How do I move in a way that makes this season count?

And I must admit this path of yielding feels a lot lighter. I’m not fighting it as hard so there is less resistance and energy spent. I’m more intentional about seeking God’s purpose in the details. I’m spending more time in His presence, listening, learning.

I share this because refinement and separation are painful but they’re purposeful. Purpose that outlives the discomfort and bears fruit in the right season. This is also a season of sowing. And if we focus only on the discomfort, we miss the opportunity to plant seeds that will bear the needed fruit in the right season ahead.

So if you’re going through a similar season, I want to encourage you:
Shift your focus.
Don’t dwell on the discomfort but rather pivot and focus on the seeds you’re sowing that will equip you for the next season.
Surrender. It makes it easier.

I don’t know exactly where this path is leading, but I do know who’s leading me. And He promises to work all things out for my good because I love Him, and He delights in me.

So now, with the tantrum and meltdown behind me, I’m looking forward with anticipation of good. I’m curious about the seeds I’m sowing and the version of me that will emerge. I’m excited to see how this contributes to the bigger picture.

Don’t grow frustrated in this season.
Don’t let temporary discomfort shift your focus.
Keep your eyes on the Author and Finisher of our faith. He is good, merciful, kind, and He desires to prosper you and me.

So press into Him.
Focus on Him.
Draw comfort and strength from Him.
Look to Him for the answers you seek.
And remember – this season has purpose. It’s not punishment. And it will not last forever.

Deep breaths. You’ve got this.

Love Arukah

XoXo