Finding Hope to Endure Even as the Leaves Fall

Autumn.

That season of unparalleled beauty, where tree leaves go from green to brilliant yellow or citrus orange, touched by golden sunlight.

But then—

Something changes. Is it the wind? The cold? The condescending darkness?

Do the trees know that when the storms come and the temperature drops winter is approaching? Do they remember last year, when their branches were stripped bare and they drooped with icicles?

Do you remember?

That season where color and life became a horizon of dull browns and skeleton twigs.

That season where the clouds seemed close enough to touch, and any storm could be weathered, but then—

Something changed.

Was it a friend’s betrayal? A loved one’s death? A doctor’s diagnosis?

Whatever it was, the girl bursting with color and life felt herself disappearing. She withered until she felt small and insignificant. The leaves rattled at her feet, the flowers drifted away, and the facade fell until she looked like nothing more than bare branches.

Tired of reaching for the sky, worn out and shivering from the cold, she wondered if this winter would never pass.

Enduring the Long Winter

Days. Weeks. Months.

They passed in agonizing, frigid seconds. All winter, the tree faced unrelenting blizzards, the weightiness of snow, and no growth.

Where was the sky? With the changing of the seasons, it hid among the shining white and cloudy gray wasteland. Touching it no longer seemed like a worthy goal.

Through the winter, surviving seemed like the only option.

David’s Long Winter

Before David became king, he faced his own winter season. Do you remember this story?

David had a promising future. Although he grew up as a lowly shepherd boy, he was anointed to become king after Saul’s passing. He served King Saul as a harp player. When the Philistines sent Goliath to challenge Israel, David had enough faith in God that he was able to take down the mighty giant and bring victory to his nation. As payment for such a noble feat, he married the princess. He was an inseparable friend to the prince.

Life was going great.

But then—

Something changed.

Saul’s jealousy of David grew until he attempted to kill David (1 Samuel 19).

David ran from Saul’s hunting parties, made camp over enemy lines, and ate from the temple when he had nothing else (1 Samuel 21). He wrote many of the psalms while hiding—psalms that began with pleading but ended with both joy and praise (Psalm 54, Psalm 59, Psalm 102).

David endured a brutal metaphorical winter.

But even faced with constant adversity, he turned his feelings over to God and prayed through them.

God Cares about Your Wrestling

David wrestled. A lot.

Imagine the nation’s future leader hiding in a cave, pouring his thoughts into words—prayers that would last for generations.

This wasn’t the plan. He wasn’t supposed to run from the king, he was supposed to become king. The future seemed dark. He wasn’t even sure he had a future.

Sometimes prayer feels awkward. Does God listen? Or care? He doesn’t want to hear pitiful crying. That’s weak. Stupid. Selfish.

Except these thoughts can’t be the truth, can they?

Here’s what God says about wrestling with Him.

God hears you (1 John 5:15).

He loves you enough to lose the One He cherished most (John 3:16).

He gives you what you need the most when you deserve it the least (Romans 5:8).

He freely gives blessings and good gifts (Matthew 7:11).

Even Jesus prayed for His pain to go away (Matthew 26:39). Doing so yourself isn’t stupid or selfish, and it doesn’t make you weak.

In the dry spells, God is our living water (John 7:37–39). He can hold you steady through any storm (Matthew 7:24–29) and protect you from any danger (Psalm 23).

This Season Will Pass

Why do leaves detach themselves from trees?

There are scientific explanations. When the temperature drops and night comes sooner, trees react by drawing energy back into themselves. Falling leaves give back the space and energy for new growth and new beginnings.

If Autumn never came, then neither could Spring. If the leaves didn’t fall, then less growth would happen.

Losing leaves might feel painful. But take heart—

Soon, something will change.

Is it the soft light rising early over the horizon? Is it the warm breeze tickling your cheeks? Is it the sparkling streams of melting snow?

Whatever it is, the leaves will grow, the flowers will bud, and life will return in full glory.

So when the leaves fall, remember: Spring is approaching.