This Time Is Different – Sarah Jakes Roberts
Welcome, friends. Whether you’re here for the first time or you’ve called this community home for years, I believe there’s a reason you landed on this page today. God’s timing is always purposeful, and this word is designed to encourage you right where you are. If you’ve been weary, waiting for breakthrough, or seeking fresh hope, be assured: this time is different.
Learning from Paul: When Change Is More Than Surface-Deep
The letter of 2 Corinthians gives us a unique look at Paul’s relationship with the Corinthian church. While Paul often gently guided these early believers, in chapter 10 he shifts his tone. There were rumors that Paul was bold and authoritative in his writings, but meek and unassuming in person—a contradiction that some used to question his leadership and authenticity.
Paul, however, clarifies that his approach isn’t due to weakness or inconsistency but is rooted in a spiritual strategy. He is bold when necessary but prefers meekness, reflecting the humility of Christ. He reserves his energy and directness for the battles that truly matter—not for every petty squabble or disagreement, but for dismantling the real strongholds standing between people and God.
Choosing Your Battles Wisely
Paul’s wisdom speaks to us today: Not every fight requires the same response. He says, “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds.” The implication is clear. Sometimes, our physical and emotional energy must be reserved for spiritual warfare—engaging with God’s strategy, not just our default reactions.
Moving Past Weariness: Redefining What It Means to Persevere
If you’ve ever felt like you’re repeating the same actions but not experiencing different results, you’re not alone. Culture tosses around the phrase: “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result.” But what about weariness—the kind that comes not only from doing the wrong thing, but from faithfully doing the right thing, yet consistently experiencing disappointment?
This is a uniquely challenging place to be. You clean up your life, you pray, you make wise decisions—and still, you face obstacles. That’s real weariness, and it’s easy to question whether doing the right thing is worth it if the outcome looks the same. But the apostle Paul brings a gentle correction. He writes, “Do not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.” (Galatians 6:9)
Don’t Let Weariness Take Root
Notice that Paul doesn’t say to never feel weary—he says don’t let weariness grow. Every act of faith, every moment of persevering in goodness, is like planting a seed. But discouragement sets in when we expect an immediate harvest for our obedience. God’s process takes time, and sometimes the fruit takes longer to appear than we’d like.
Sowing into the Spirit rather than the flesh means investing in forgiveness, worship, prayer, and right living—even when it doesn’t instantly change our circumstances. Just as it’s taken years or even generations for unhealthy patterns to take root, transformation takes time too. That’s why it’s vital not just to keep sowing, but to protect your heart so you don’t miss your harvest when it comes. God’s timing is perfect, though often different from ours.
This Time Is Different: God’s Creative Strategy for Breakthrough
In the journey of faith, God rarely repeats Himself in the same way. Consider Moses, who in his weariness struck the rock to bring forth water instead of speaking to it as God had instructed (Numbers 20). Moses defaulted to a past method—yet God was inviting him to a new level of trust and obedience.
Sometimes, our frustration leads us to rely on what worked before, but God wants to use a different strategy for each new season. David didn’t defeat every enemy with a slingshot; sometimes he picked up a sword, other times he worshipped, and sometimes he simply waited on God. The tool or method is never the source—God is.
Don’t Box God Into Old Methods
Your breakthrough may come in an unfamiliar way. One person may receive instant healing at the altar; another may find their miracle through a journey with doctors. God’s creative power can’t be contained. In the New Testament, Jesus healed blind people in multiple different ways—sometimes by speaking, sometimes by touch, sometimes with mud. The lesson? What matters is not the method, but the miracle worker.
If you’re weary because you haven’t seen God move in the way you expected, remember: His ways are higher, and His strategies are new in every season. This requires humility—letting go of control and trusting that God is writing a new story, with a fresh approach tailored just for you.
Battle or Siege? Discern Your Season
Recognizing what kind of challenge you’re facing is an essential spiritual discipline. Some conflicts in life are battles—brief, intense, and requiring decisive action. Others are sieges—drawn-out seasons that demand endurance, patience, and restraint. When David faced Goliath, he picked up the slingshot for a quick confrontation. But when he was dealing with King Saul’s ongoing opposition, he didn’t attack; instead, he endured and trusted God’s timing.
It’s tempting to want to use power and take control in every situation, but sometimes God asks us to hold back, allowing His power to be displayed in our restraint. Wisdom is knowing not just which weapon to use, but whether or not to use it at all. There will be moments when God’s instruction is to stand still, wait, and trust.
Your Heart Matters More Than Your Might
In seasons of prolonged stress or confusion, the greatest battle is
