Devotionals for the Heart: How I learned to survive dry seasons in life

When You’re Experiencing a Dry Season
A devotional by Terry Overton

“But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison.”—Genesis 39:21 (ESV)

The week was one to remember—and not in a good way.

As a caregiver for a loved one, my own strength and faith must be intact for me to have the energy and organization to complete all routines. However, just as the saying goes that you have probably heard from flight attendants, “Put your own mask on first.” This statement means that if I don’t have sufficient strength and oxygen, I cannot meet the needs of others. Yet here I was.

The morning that tested everything within me began like most days: preparing a quick breakfast, checking on medications, and taking our little dog for a walk.

Shortly after the walk, while sitting on my porch reading Scripture, a yellow jacket bee zoomed in from nowhere and inserted its painful stinger into my finger. Not a big deal for many, but being allergic to stings, it was a way to ruin an entire week.

Thankfully, the urgent care center is only a few minutes away from my house, and after employing the usual immediate interventions, I was able to find my way there and receive treatment. The weeklong steroid therapy took its toll. Five days passed with a range of only two to four hours of sleep each night until I was able to finish the round of medication.

On that last day, I woke up after only two hours of sleep. My well was dry. I had nothing left. No strength, no cheer, no creativity. My mind went to the Bible story about Joseph being thrown by his brothers into a dry cistern. They referred to him as a dreamer and the favorite son. Filled with jealousy, they stripped Joseph of the special coat given to him by their father and took away his dignity. They threw him into a dry cistern and decided to get rid of him by selling him into slavery in another country. His peaceful life was exchanged for the worst predicament one can imagine. He had no power. But he had faith in God.

As the Bible story reveals, Joseph’s demise was temporary. We learn he would not have been able to save his family and thousands of others had he not been thrown in that pit. As we study this story, it becomes apparent that the pit was not the end; it was a holding place for something more important. Joseph had to go there so he could become a world leader years later and save the very brothers who abandoned him. The cistern was a brief but essential stop in the history of Joseph’s story in the Bible and the history of his people. Joseph’s suffering was for a purpose.

But how did Joseph make it through those challenging times? First, he believed God was with him no matter the circumstances. He knew that God had been with him in the past and would continue to be with him, keeping His promises, along the way. Even when everyone around him begged him to give up and surrender, he maintained his integrity. He did not rush into trying to control situations. He trusted God. After all his difficulties, he did not become bitter or take out his frustration and anger on the people around him. Had he not relied on his firmly grounded faith, he would not have been able to wait on God’s timing and God’s plans.

Remaining firm in faith is of vital importance for self-care. Joseph maintained his faith and strength. He stayed grounded and waited on God. For me, taking this week to be in a “pit” helped me see how vital self-care and the strength of my spirit are for the care of my loved one. Following the example of Joseph, I realized that like Joseph, I needed to remain strong even when circumstances were against me. If I am to impart cheerfulness, faith, and hope, I must have energy and the warmth in my heart provided to me by the Holy Spirit. To impart faith, I must have it, to impart hope, I must feel it and to provide care, I must pray for strength and energy to complete this job God has placed before me. Feeling like I was in a dry well gave me time to read, reflect, and pray. Following this self-care steps ensured that my strength and energy would return.

The same is true for mothers, teachers, wives, sons, and daughters, who care for elderly family members. We are all God’s workers serving His purpose, even when our circumstances are difficult. When we find ourselves feeling like there is nothing left, feeling abandoned, forgotten, unloved, disliked, and even struck down, perhaps this is a holding place for us as we renew our faith and strength and wait for the next step in God’s plan.

Let’s Pray:

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for filling my heart with Your Spirit. When I face hardships that feel too heavy for my heart, I know I am not facing these difficult times alone. You are with me. Help me to keep my eyes on You and wait for your plans to emerge. Remind me to wait on Your timing. I pray that You continue to strengthen me so that I may complete the work You have placed before me.

In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection #1: “Wait on the Lord” by Donnie McClurkin. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “Joseph’s Song” by Shelly E. Johnson. Listen to it here.

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Author Bio:

Terry Overton is a retired university professor of educational and school psychology. She has an Ed.D. in Special Education and a Ph.D. in Psychology. 

Her professional experience includes teaching public school, teaching at the university level, and being a college dean.

She has two children, seven grandchildren, and one great granddaughter.

Her previous writing and publication experiences include textbook and journal articles in the fields of special education and school psychology. She now seeks to answer God’s call to share the good news and grow the church by writing Christian books and devotionals.

Over the years, Terry’s books have won the Mom’s Choice Award, Christian Indie Award, Firebird Book Awards, American Writing Winner Awards, Bookfest Winner Awards, Pencraft Award, Reader Views Silver Reviewers Award, and International Book Award Finalist. Her writing examines real world events with a Christian worldview. She enjoys writing for young children, middle grade readers, YA fiction, and adult level novels.

Terry’s background in teaching adults and children shine through her stories that often include a character with educational or learning challenges. Her Christmas series, The Oddball Ornaments, features a box of misfit ornaments who first learn the meaning of Christmas and then discover the meaning of forgiveness. In The Underground Book Readers series, one of the main characters is on the autism spectrum yet is one of the leaders of the group of teens. Book one of a new series, The Messiah Brigade, features an awkward middle school nerd who helps his school turn around a bully gang of kids. Adoption and family issues are the focus of her new book, Charlotte McMaster and the Messenger Angel.

Terry lives in Texas and enjoys reading, taking pictures for devotional posts on social media, visiting with her family, playing golf, and writing.

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Connect with Terry:
Website: https://www.authorterryoverton.com
Blog: https://terryovertonbooks.com
LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/overtont