Entering into new seasons amidst losses, injuries, and identity crises (1), By Ayo Akerele

Isaiah 43:18–19 declares a timeless spiritual principle: “Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing”

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This passage reveals that new seasons are divine initiatives, not human inventions. They are birthed by God, announced by God, and sustained by God. Yet, although God initiates new seasons, believers must contend for them. New seasons do not arrive passively. They do not manifest automatically. They do not unfold without resistance. Every new season is contested by spiritual forces, human opposition, internal weaknesses, and circumstantial pressures.

This is why Scripture consistently shows that promotion is preceded by warfare.

No biblical figure entered a new season without fighting battles specifically designed to test, refine, and prepare them for the next level. This is not accidental; it is God’s curriculum for elevation.

Just as a student cannot be promoted without examinations, no believer rises without confronting and conquering the battles assigned to their next level. These battles are not punishments; they are proofs of readiness. They are divine assessments. They are spiritual gateways.

Throughout Scripture, every man and woman who rose—Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Daniel, David, Paul, Peter, Jonah, Job, and even the Lord Jesus—faced battles at different levels. Some fought demons. Some fought men. Some fought kings and governments. Some fought internal weaknesses. Some fought identity crises. Rising is warfare, and new seasons demand victory.

This teaching explores the spiritual architecture of new seasons, the battles that precede them, the injuries that accompany them, and the identity transformation required to sustain them. It is a prophetic roadmap for believers standing at the edge of divine transition.

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Section One: You Cannot Rise Without Fighting the Battles of Higher Levels 

The first truth every believer must embrace is this: you cannot rise to a higher level in life without fighting and winning the battles assigned to that level. This is not merely a spiritual observation; it is a divine law woven into the fabric of Scripture.

Your next level has enemies. Your new season has adversaries. Your promotion has opposition. The battles you face are not random; they are level‑specific. They are attached to your destiny. They are part of your spiritual curriculum.

Every biblical figure who rose had to fight:

Some fought demons. Some fought men. Some fought kings. Some fought governments. Some fought internal weaknesses. Some fought identity crises.

But all fought.

This is why rising is never casual. It is never accidental. It is never effortless. It is always contested. God does not promote the untested. New seasons require victory.

Section Two: Why Must We Fight If Jesus Finished the Work?

This question is common among believers: “If Jesus finished the work of salvation, why must we still fight battles to enter new seasons?”

The answer is found in Scripture.

Paul said: “A wide door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.” (1 Corinthians 16:9)

Every divine opportunity attracts demonic resistance.

     2. The Kingdom Advances Through Force

Jesus declared: “The kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.” (Matthew 11:12)

New seasons require spiritual aggression.

   3. Possession Requires Contention

God told Israel: “Begin to take possession, and contend with him in battle.” (Deuteronomy 2:24)

God gives territory, but believers must fight to occupy it.

   4. Courage Is Required for Transition

God told Joshua: “Be strong and courageous… every place the sole of your foot treads I have given you.” (Joshua 1:2–9)

Courage is the currency of new seasons.

   5. Trials Precede Crowns

James wrote: “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial…” (James 1:12)

Trials are the pathway to crowns.

These scriptures reveal a consistent pattern: Open doors do not eliminate adversaries; they attract them. Divine opportunities do not remove battles; they intensify them. New seasons do not erase warfare; they require victory.

Whenever battles intensify, heaven is announcing transition. You are standing at the border of a new season.

Section Three: Jacob: A Case Study In Transition Warfare

Jacob’s life is one of the most detailed biblical case studies on the battles that precede new seasons. Jacob fought for everything he ever received. Some believers are like this, you fight for everything. You are not cursed; you are chosen. Fighters become champions.

Jacob fought seven major battles:

Jacob contended for entry into the world. His struggle began before birth.

     2. Battle for the Birthright (Genesis 25:29)

He wrestled Esau for spiritual inheritance.

    3. Battle for the Blessing (Genesis 27:1–40)

He contended for prophetic destiny.

    4. Battle at the Well (Genesis 29:1–10)

He defended Rachel and proved strength.

    5. Battle for Rachel (Genesis 29:15–30)

He endured Laban’s deception and labored for love.

   6. Battle for Economic Independence (Genesis 30:25–43)

He negotiated for a portion of Laban’s business.

   7. Battle with the Angel (Genesis 32:22–32)

He wrestled for identity and transformation.

Jacob’s life teaches us that some people are wired for warfare. Their destiny requires battles. Their elevation demands struggle. Their greatness is forged in conflict.

Yet Jacob did not know his last battle was the doorway to his new season. Many believers today are in the same position, fighting battles without realizing they are standing at the edge of divine transition.

Section Four: Six Signs You Are at the Edge of a New Season 

Believers approaching transition often experience unusual spiritual phenomena. These are not signs of decline, they are indicators of divine transition.

Disappointment from trusted people, withdrawal of familiar support, and loss of lifelines. Abraham and Jacob experienced this. God isolates you to refine you.

      2. Unusual Tests of Obedience

Joseph, Daniel, and the three Hebrew boys faced tests that demanded uncompromising faithfulness. New seasons require obedience under pressure.

     3. Unusual Failures

Repeated setbacks, failed attempts, and discouraging outcomes—Saul and Peter experienced this. Failure becomes a furnace for refinement.

     4. Unusual Quietness

A season where nothing seems to move. You appear grounded and stagnant. Heaven is silent because heaven is working.

    5. Unusual Darkness

Confusion, blankness, and silence from heaven—Elijah experienced this in 1 Kings 18. Darkness precedes dawn.

6. Unusually Long Unanswered Prayers

Zechariah and Elizabeth endured decades of silence before their new season arrived. Delay is not denial; delay is preparation.

These signs reveal that God is shifting you. You are standing at the border of a new season.

Ayo Akerele is the senior pastor of Rhema Assembly and the founder of the Voice of the Watchmen Ministries in Ontario, Canada. He can be reached through [email protected]. You can connect with him on: YouTube: @VoiceoftheWatchmen, TikTok: @drayoakerele, Instagram: @drayoakerele, Facebook: @Ayo Akerele

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