Why God Trains People in Hidden Seasons

Many believers encounter a season in their spiritual life they do not know how to interpret. At first, everything seems clear. There is momentum. There is growth. There is direction. God feels near. Opportunities appear. Progress is visible. Then something changes. Things slow down. Opportunities become less frequent. Clarity fades. Forward movement diminishes. In some cases, doors that once seemed open begin to close. And with that shift comes a quiet question: Did something go wrong?

A common experience

This moment is more common than many realize. A pastor senses a call to ministry, begins serving, and sees early fruit—only to find that opportunities begin to diminish. A leader who once felt clear direction now feels uncertain about what comes next. A believer who once experienced deep spiritual intensity now finds their life with God feels quieter—less dramatic, less visible. Externally, progress slows. Internally, questions rise:

• Am I missing something?
• Did I make a mistake?
• Has God withdrawn?
• Did I misunderstand my calling?

These are not questions of weak faith. They are often the result of misinterpreting the season.

The misinterpretation

Most believers have been taught to recognize seasons of growth. Few have been taught to recognize seasons of formation. When progress is visible, confidence comes easily. When progress becomes less visible, uncertainty begins. Without a framework, believers read the season one way. Scripture reads it another.

What feels like delay is often God developing depth.

A different perspective

Throughout Scripture, some of the most important seasons in a person's life appear, from the outside, unremarkable. No platforms. No recognition. No visible acceleration. And yet, these are often the seasons where God does His most important work. This requires a shift in perspective. Instead of asking: "Why is nothing happening?" The better question becomes: "What might God be doing that I cannot yet see?" Because the absence of visible progress does not mean the absence of divine activity (Isaiah 45:15). God is working most deeply where we can see least clearly.

What God does in hidden places

God does His deepest work in hidden places. He works in:

• quiet seasons
• waiting seasons
• uncertain seasons
• interrupted seasons

These are the environments where He shapes the inner life. Motives are examined. Character is refined. Dependence deepens. Faith shifts from outcomes to trust. This work is rarely dramatic. But it is foundational. What God builds in hidden places sustains what He later reveals in public life.

A Pastoral Observation

Over time, pastors begin to recognize this pattern. A believer who once experienced rapid growth begins to feel stalled. Nothing appears to be happening:

• no new opportunities
• no clear direction
• no visible progress

From the outside, it looks like stagnation. But something else begins to emerge. The same person becomes:

• less reactive
• more patient
• more grounded
• more attentive to God in subtle ways

What appears to be a loss of momentum is actually a change in the type of growth taking place. Not outward expansion. Inward formation.

Why This Matters

If this season is misunderstood, believers respond incorrectly. Some disengage. Others try to force movement—creating activity to regain a sense of progress. Others settle into quiet resignation. None of these responses align with how God works. Because hidden seasons are not the end of growth. They are a different kind of growth.

The first key insight

To understand hidden seasons, one truth must become clear: God is not only concerned with what we do. He is deeply concerned with who we become.

The beginning of understanding

Hidden seasons must be interpreted correctly. They are not interruptions in God's plan. They are part of it. They are not evidence that something has gone wrong. They are often evidence that something deeper is taking place. When believers understand this, something shifts. They stop resisting the season. They begin cooperating with it. They stop asking how to escape it. They begin asking what God is forming within it.

A foundational truth

There is a pattern seen throughout Scripture: God is rarely in a hurry when forming a life (Psalm 27:14). What He builds, He builds deeply. What He prepares, He prepares thoroughly. What He entrusts, He entrusts carefully. And the seasons that feel the slowest are often the ones that matter most.

Where This Leads

In the chapters that follow, we will explore this pattern more deeply. We will examine how hidden seasons appear throughout Scripture. We will explore why God uses them. We will show how believers can recognize them—and how pastors can guide people through them. Because once hidden seasons are understood, they are no longer confusing. They become one of the clearest indicators that God is at work. Even when nothing seems to be happening. Especially then.

Hidden seasons are not random. They are not interruptions. They are not evidence that something has gone wrong. They are part of a pattern. God forms people in a consistent way. That pattern does not change from person to person. It does not accelerate because someone is gifted. It does not shorten because someone is sincere. It is steady. It is intentional. And it is necessary. If we misunderstand the pattern, we will misinterpret the season.

The formation cycle revisited

In Book 1, we introduced the Zoé Formation Cycle. Its five stages run in order, and none can be skipped:

What begins with clarity enters complexity. What begins with momentum encounters resistance. This is where confusion often begins. Because the next two phases—Testing and Formation—are where hidden seasons live. Hidden seasons are not outside the process. They are the process.

Where hidden seasons occur

Hidden seasons are not a separate category of spiritual life. They are the Testing and Formation phases of the cycle. This is essential to understand. Revelation often comes with clarity and momentum. It brings direction, energy, and a sense of calling. But God does not move people directly from revelation to commission. There is always a gap.

That gap is not empty. It is intentional. It is where God tests what was revealed. It is where God forms the person who will carry it.

The gap between calling and commission

One of the most misunderstood realities in spiritual life is the delay between calling and commission. A person receives revelation. They sense calling. They feel marked for something. Then… very little appears to happen. Doors do not open immediately. Momentum does not continue at the same pace. Progress becomes less visible. This is where discouragement often begins.

But this delay is not accidental. God does not reveal and immediately promote (1 Samuel 16 → 2 Samuel 5). He reveals—then He prepares. Calling is revealed quickly. Character is formed slowly.

Why God does not promote immediately

If God promoted people at the moment of revelation, most would collapse under the weight of what they have received. Revelation shows you what God will do. Formation prepares you to carry it. Without formation:

• gifting outpaces character
• influence exceeds maturity
• visibility exposes instability

God is not trying to showcase your potential. He is establishing your foundation. God is not in a hurry to display what He has not yet developed.

Testing: The first layer of hidden formation

After revelation and response comes testing. Testing examines what you say you believe. Not in theory—but in reality.

• Will you remain faithful when nothing is happening?
• Will you stay obedient when results are not visible?
• Will you trust God when circumstances contradict what He said?

Testing often feels like resistance. It feels like delay. It feels like opposition. It feels like something is wrong. But testing is not punishment. It is confirmation. God is not trying to disqualify you. He is revealing what is still unformed. Testing exposes what formation must develop.

Formation: The deeper work

If testing reveals, formation builds. Formation is where God shapes:

• character
• responses
• motives
• dependence

This work is slower. Quieter. Hidden. Formation does not announce itself. It does not produce immediate results. It does not attract attention. But it produces depth. God does His deepest work where it cannot be seen.

Why hidden seasons feel long

Formation is not event-driven—it is process-driven. Revelation can happen in a moment. Commission can happen in a moment. Formation cannot. Formation requires:

• time
• repetition
• pressure
• consistency

It requires situations that expose the heart repeatedly until something changes. This is why hidden seasons often feel extended. Not because God is delaying unnecessarily—but because He is forming thoroughly. God is not slow. He is precise.

A pastoral example

Consider a leader who receives a clear sense of calling. They begin with energy and clarity. Opportunities begin to open. Then unexpectedly, momentum slows.

• invitations decrease
• visibility declines
• progress becomes unclear

Externally, it appears something has stalled. But internally, something else begins:

• deeper conviction
• greater self-awareness
• increased dependence on God
• exposure of pride, fear, or insecurity

If this leader misunderstands the pattern, they will assume: "Something has gone wrong." If they understand the pattern, they will recognize: "God has moved me into formation." The external slowdown is not failure. It is focus. God has shifted attention from what they will do to who they are becoming.

The pattern is consistent

This pattern is not unique. It is consistent across:

• Scripture
• church history
• spiritual leadership

God does not skip testing. God does not bypass formation. He does not accelerate the process because someone is eager.

Reframing the season

If hidden seasons are part of the formation cycle, they must be interpreted correctly — and that means naming what they are not before naming what they are.

Some of the most significant formation in Scripture happens in places no one sees. No platform. No audience. No visible progress. Moses is one of the clearest examples. His life reveals a pattern often misunderstood: God forms in obscurity before He entrusts in public.

A life divided in three parts

Moses' life unfolds in three distinct forty-year seasons, in order:

God prepares people privately before He uses them publicly.

From strength to stripping

In Egypt, Moses had everything that appeared to be preparation. He was educated. Positioned. Influential. He understood leadership structures. He had access to power. Yet when he attempted to step into his calling prematurely, it failed. He acted in strength. He relied on instinct. He moved ahead of God's timing. The result was not progress—but removal. Moses fled (Exodus 2:11–15). Not into another opportunity, but into obscurity.

The wilderness season

For forty years, Moses lived in the wilderness. No platform. No recognition. No visible calling. He became a shepherd. The man raised in Pharaoh's house now lived far from influence and visibility. From the outside, it looked like loss. From God's perspective, it was formation. Because the wilderness does what Egypt cannot. It strips self-reliance. It removes illusion. It exposes the heart. God strips before He sends.

What the wilderness produces

The wilderness is not empty. It is purposeful. In hidden seasons, God develops what public life cannot. In Moses, He formed four things:

The length of the process

Forty years is difficult to comprehend. Longer than many modern ministries last. Longer than most expect to wait. But God was not in a hurry. Because He was not forming for the moment. He was forming for the assignment. The weight of leading a nation required depth that could not be rushed. God is not slow. He is thorough.

When God speaks again

After decades of obscurity, God speaks. Not in Egypt. Not in a place of influence. But in the wilderness. At a burning bush (Exodus 3:1–4). This matters. The calling did not disappear during the hidden season. It was being prepared. Moses had not been forgotten. He had been formed.

A different man

When Moses encounters God at the burning bush, something is different. Earlier, he moved ahead impulsively. Now, he hesitates. Earlier, he relied on his own strength. Now, he questions his ability. This is not weakness. It is transformation. The man who once assumed readiness now understands dependence.

A Pastoral Observation

Many believers follow this same pattern. They begin with clarity and urgency. They feel ready. They feel equipped. They feel confident. Then the season shifts. Opportunities decrease. Momentum slows. Visibility fades. If misunderstood, this feels like loss. But in many cases, it is preparation. God is not removing them from their calling. He is preparing them to carry it.

The danger of misinterpreting obscurity

If Moses had interpreted his wilderness season as failure, he might have resisted it. He might have tried to return to Egypt prematurely. He might have attempted to recreate influence. But hidden seasons require surrender. Because what God is doing is not always visible—or immediately understandable. What looks like obscurity to you may be preparation to God.

The pattern repeated

Moses is not an isolated example. This pattern appears throughout Scripture:

• God removes before He releases.
• God hides before He reveals.
• God forms before He sends.

The hidden season is not optional. It is essential.

What this means for leaders

For pastors and leaders, this has significant implications. Not every slowdown is a problem. Not every reduction in visibility is a setback. Not every quiet season needs to be fixed. Some seasons are designed. Designed to:

• refine
• reshape
• prepare

If misinterpreted, we will try to undo what God is doing.

Reframing the wilderness

The wilderness is not where calling disappears. It is where calling is clarified. Where identity is anchored. Where dependence is learned. Where character is formed. Without it, the public assignment cannot be sustained. Hidden seasons are not where God forgets His people. They are where He prepares them.

Where This Leads

Moses' life establishes a clear pattern: Obscurity is not the absence of purpose. It is often the place where purpose is formed. In the next chapter, we will examine David—a man anointed early, yet shaped through years of delay before stepping into his calling. Because in God's process, anointing and timing are not the same.

Some callings begin with clarity. David's began with certainty. He was anointed by the prophet Samuel. (1 Samuel 16:1–13) Chosen in front of his family. Marked by God for kingship. The word was clear: He would be king. What followed was not immediate fulfillment. It was delay.

Anointed but not appointed

David's life introduces a critical distinction:

He was anointed long before he was appointed. The moment of anointing was visible. The season that followed was not. After being chosen, David did not step into a throne. He returned to the field. Back to sheep. Back to obscurity. Back to ordinary life. Nothing externally changed. Except this: God had spoken.

The tension of delay

Delay creates tension. Once a person knows what God has said, they expect movement. Doors should open. Things should align. Progress should follow. But David's life moved in the opposite direction. Instead of rising quickly, he entered a prolonged season of uncertainty. He served. He waited. He endured. At times, his situation became more difficult—not less.

From favor to opposition

David's journey was not a straight ascent. He moved from:

• obscurity → recognition
• recognition → favor
• favor → opposition

After defeating Goliath, he gained visibility. After gaining visibility, he gained favor with Saul. After gaining favor, he became a target. Saul pursued him. Hunted him. Forced him into hiding. The one anointed to be king became a fugitive. God's promises are never permission to rush His timing.

Living between word and fulfillment

David lived between what God said and when God fulfilled it. This is one of the most difficult places for any believer. The calling is clear. The timeline is not. And in that gap, the deepest formation occurs. David had opportunities to accelerate the process. He could have taken the throne by force. Twice, Saul was within his reach. Twice, David refused. (1 Samuel 24; 26) Why? Because formation had taught him something deeper than ambition: Trust in God's timing. Delay is not passive. It is active formation. In David, it produced four things:

Delay is where God teaches us not just what to do, but how to become.

The Psalms as formation language

Many of David's psalms were written during these hidden and difficult seasons. They reveal the internal process of formation. He wrestled with:

• fear
• confusion
• injustice
• uncertainty

Yet he continually returned to trust. He did not deny his emotions. But he did not allow them to define his response. He brought them before God. This is what formation looks like from the inside: Honest struggle. Anchored trust.

A different kind of strength

Before delay, strength often looks like action. After formation, strength looks like restraint. David had the ability to act. He had the opportunity to take what had been promised. But he chose to wait. This is a different kind of strength. Not the strength to move forward— But the strength to remain still until God moves. The ability to wait on God is one of the clearest signs of spiritual maturity.

A Pastoral Observation

Many leaders struggle most with delay. They receive vision. They feel called. They are ready to move. When progress slows, something shifts internally. They become:

• restless
• frustrated
• tempted to create movement

They begin to:

• force opportunities
• manufacture visibility
• accelerate timelines

But when leaders bypass delay, they bypass formation. And what is gained quickly is rarely sustained.

The danger of forcing the outcome

David's life shows what not to do. He refused to:

• take shortcuts
• manipulate circumstances
• seize what God had not yet released

Because he understood something essential: If God promises something, God is responsible to fulfill it. The role of the believer is not to force fulfillment. It is to remain faithful in the process. What you take prematurely, you must sustain in your own strength.

Trusting the timing of God

Eventually, David did become king. Not by force. Not by strategy. Not by manipulation. But by timing. God established him. God positioned him. God fulfilled what He had spoken. And when it happened, David was ready. Because delay had formed him.

Reframing delay

Delay is not denial. Delay is preparation. It is where God aligns:

• character with calling
• maturity with responsibility
• identity with assignment

Without delay, there is no depth. Without depth, there is no sustainability. God's timing protects what His promise reveals.

Where This Leads

David's life shows that hidden seasons are not only about obscurity. They are about timing. God determines not only what will happen— but when it will happen. And the space between those two is where formation takes place. In the next chapter, we will examine Joseph— a man whose journey included not just delay, but contradiction. Because sometimes the path to fulfillment appears to move in the opposite direction of the promise.

Some hidden seasons feel slow. Others feel delayed. Joseph's felt contradictory. God gave him a clear revelation— then allowed circumstances that appeared to move in the opposite direction.

A clear beginning

Joseph's story begins with clarity. He receives dreams from God. (Genesis 37:5–11) Dreams of leadership. Dreams of authority. Dreams of future elevation. The message is unmistakable: He will rise. He will lead. He will be placed in a position of influence. The revelation is strong. The direction is clear. But the path that follows makes no sense. God may fulfill His word through paths that appear to contradict it.

When the path opposes the promise

Instead of moving toward leadership, Joseph's life moves steadily downward. Each step takes him further from what God revealed:

From a natural perspective, it appears something has gone wrong. The promise suggested elevation. The process looked like demotion.

The crisis of contradiction

Contradiction creates a unique tension. Delay says, wait. Contradiction says, this does not align. It challenges not only patience— but understanding. Joseph faced a question many believers encounter: "How can this be God if everything looks opposite of what He said?" When circumstances contradict revelation, trust is tested at a deeper level.

The hidden work of God

Joseph's story is not about rapid advancement. It is about hidden development. In slavery, he learned:

• diligence
• excellence
• responsibility

In prison, he learned:

• endurance
• faithfulness without recognition
• trust without reward

In both places, something essential was happening: God was forming the man who would carry the promise. God develops in hidden places what He will later reveal in public positions.

Faithfulness without visibility

Joseph remained faithful in environments that offered no indication of progress. No platform. No recognition. No confirmation of the dream. Yet he continued to serve. He worked diligently in Potiphar's house. He stewarded responsibility in prison. This is one of the clearest indicators of formation: Faithfulness without visibility.

The test of integrity

Joseph's formation was not only external. It was deeply internal. When confronted with temptation, he refused compromise. Not because it would cost him position— but because it would violate his relationship with God. This moment matters. Formation is revealed not only in endurance, but in integrity. Joseph chose obedience when no one was watching. And it cost him. He was falsely accused. He was imprisoned again. The situation became worse—not better. Formation is proven when obedience is maintained without immediate reward.

Forgotten, but not forsaken

In prison, Joseph interprets dreams for others. He helps. He serves. He speaks accurately. Then he is forgotten. The one who promised to remember him did not. Time passes. Nothing changes. This is one of the deepest layers of hidden formation: being faithful while feeling forgotten.

The silence of progress

Joseph's life contains long periods where nothing appears to move forward. No visible advancement. No fulfillment of the dream. No external confirmation. Yet Scripture makes a simple statement: "The Lord was with Joseph." This is critical. God's presence was not dependent on Joseph's circumstances. Even when everything looked misaligned, God was still at work. God's presence is not proven by progress, but by formation.

When the moment comes

Eventually, everything changes. In a single moment, Joseph is brought out of prison. He stands before Pharaoh. He interprets a dream. He is elevated to leadership. (Genesis 41:38–41) What seemed impossible suddenly becomes reality. But this moment was not sudden to God. It was the result of years of formation. Joseph was ready. Because hidden seasons had prepared him.

A prepared leader

When Joseph steps into leadership, he carries more than gifting. He carries formation. He is:

• steady under pressure
• wise in decision-making
• disciplined in responsibility
• free from bitterness

This matters. The path that looked like contradiction was actually preparation. Without it, he would not have been ready.

A Pastoral Observation

Many believers struggle when life moves in the opposite direction of what they believe God has said. They expect alignment. Instead, they experience resistance. They expect progress. Instead, they encounter setbacks. This creates confusion. Often, it leads to one of two conclusions: Either I misunderstood God, or something has gone wrong. But Joseph's life offers another perspective: God may be working through circumstances that do not make sense.

Reframing contradiction

Contradiction is not always opposition. Sometimes, it is process. It is where God develops:

• resilience
• endurance
• integrity
• trust

It is where faith moves beyond understanding. Because trust is not proven when things make sense. It is proven when they do not. Trust is formed when circumstances no longer align with understanding.

The pattern revealed

Joseph's life reveals a powerful truth:

God is not limited to straightforward paths. He is not restricted to visible progression. He can use:

• delay
• difficulty
• contradiction

to accomplish His purposes. And often, these are the very tools He uses to form depth.

Where This Leads

Joseph shows that hidden seasons are not always quiet. Sometimes they are confusing. Sometimes they feel completely misaligned. But even in those moments, God is at work. In the next chapter, we will examine Elijah— a man whose formation took place in isolation. Because some seasons are not only hidden. They are intentionally separated.

Some hidden seasons are marked by delay. Others by contradiction. Elijah's was marked by isolation. God did not simply slow him down. God removed him — through a sequence of places, each one stripping a different support:

A sudden emergence

Elijah appears suddenly in Scripture. No background. No introduction. No visible preparation. He confronts a king. He declares a drought. He speaks with authority. Then, just as suddenly— God sends him away.

Sent into hiding

After confronting Ahab, Elijah does not move into greater visibility. He is instructed to leave. To go into hiding. To the brook Cherith. (1 Kings 17:2–6) A place:

• unknown
• unseen
• removed

This matters. God did not lose Elijah. God led him into isolation. God often removes before He releases.

The purpose of separation

Isolation is different from delay. Delay slows movement. Isolation removes environment. It strips away:

• audience
• affirmation
• activity

Elijah was no longer confronting kings. He was sitting by a brook— dependent on God for provision.

Sustained by ravens

At Cherith, God provides in an unusual way. Ravens bring food. Morning and evening. This is not just provision. It is training. Elijah is learning:

• daily dependence
• trust in God's provision
• obedience in hidden places

Nothing in this season builds public reputation. But everything in it builds internal reliance.

When the brook dries up

Eventually, the brook dries. The place that once sustained him can no longer do so. This is another layer of formation. Even God-ordained seasons have an expiration. Elijah must learn not to depend on the place— but on God.

Sent to an unexpected place

God then sends Elijah to Zarephath. (1 Kings 17:8–16) To a widow. Not to a king. Not to a leader. Not to a place of influence. To someone with almost nothing. This is significant. God continues the process of:

• humility
• dependence
• trust

Elijah must receive provision from someone who appears unable to provide.

Formation through dependence

At Zarephath, Elijah experiences:

• limited resources
• ongoing need
• daily reliance on God

The oil does not overflow in abundance. It sustains day by day. This is not dramatic provision. It is consistent provision. And consistency forms something deeper than intensity. God often trains us through daily dependence, not dramatic provision.

Hidden obedience

In isolation, obedience becomes simpler—and more revealing. There are fewer distractions. Fewer external pressures. Fewer visible outcomes. The question becomes: Will you obey when no one sees? Will you trust when no one affirms? Will you remain faithful without reinforcement? This is where true formation takes place.

The return to public ministry

After this extended season of isolation, God sends Elijah back. Back to Ahab. Back to confrontation. Back to public ministry. And something has changed. Elijah now carries:

• authority
• clarity
• confidence rooted in dependence

The man who returns is not the same man who left. Because isolation has formed him. What is built in isolation is revealed in public.

A different kind of strength

Before isolation, strength often comes from activity. After isolation, strength comes from dependence. Elijah no longer relies on:

• environment
• momentum
• visibility

He relies on God. This is why he can stand with confidence in highly visible moments. Because his strength was not built there. It was built in hiddenness.

A Pastoral Observation

Many believers resist isolation. They interpret it as:

• disconnection
• loss
• irrelevance

They seek to re-engage quickly. To regain visibility. To restore activity. But isolation is often intentional. God removes distractions to deepen dependence. He simplifies the environment to clarify the relationship.

The danger of avoiding isolation

If believers avoid isolation, they remain dependent on:

• affirmation
• activity
• external validation

Over time, their strength becomes tied to environment. When those supports are removed, instability is revealed. Isolation exposes what we rely on— and invites us to rely on God instead. God removes external support to establish internal dependence.

Reframing isolation

Isolation is not abandonment. It is intentional separation. It is where God:

• refines focus
• deepens trust
• establishes dependence

It is where identity is no longer shaped by activity— but by relationship.

The pattern continues

Elijah's life reinforces a consistent pattern:

God removes before He releases. God hides before He reveals. God forms before He sends. Isolation is not an interruption. It is preparation.

Where This Leads

Elijah shows that hidden seasons are not always quiet— they can be deeply personal and isolating. But they are never empty. In the next chapter, we will examine Paul and John the Baptist— two men whose formation required withdrawal before their voice could be released. Because before God speaks through a person publicly, He forms them privately.

Some hidden seasons involve delay. Others involve contradiction or isolation. For Paul and John the Baptist, formation came through withdrawal. God did not simply slow them down. He set them apart.

Before the voice, there is silence

Both Paul and John would carry significant influence. Both would speak with clarity and authority. Both would shape the direction of many. But before either stepped into public impact, they were removed from public life. Not accidentally. Intentionally.

Paul: Set apart before sent

Paul's encounter with Christ was immediate and dramatic. His calling was clear. He was chosen. He was commissioned. He was marked for influence. Yet he did not step immediately into public ministry. He withdrew. To Arabia. (Galatians 1:15–18) Away from recognition. Away from platform. Away from immediate influence. This matters. Paul did not build his ministry first. God formed his message first.

The hidden years of Paul

Scripture gives few details about Paul's time in Arabia. That absence is revealing. Some of the most important work is not publicly documented. In that hidden season, Paul was being formed:

• in understanding
• in revelation
• in alignment with truth

He was not refining strategy. He was being shaped at the level of identity and message. God forms the message in private before releasing the voice in public.

John the Baptist: A voice in the wilderness

John's formation followed a similar pattern. He did not emerge from established systems. He did not build influence through visibility. He lived in the wilderness. (Luke 1:80) Removed. Hidden. Separate. Then, at the appointed time, he emerged with clarity and authority.

The wilderness as preparation

The wilderness is not inactivity. It is preparation. For John, it produced:

• clarity of message
• singular focus
• freedom from cultural influence

He was not shaped by public opinion. He was shaped by God. This is why his voice carried weight. Because it was not diluted by competing influences. A voice formed in hiddenness carries authority in public.

Withdrawal creates clarity

Withdrawal is not only removal. It is refinement. When God withdraws a person, He removes:

• distraction
• noise
• competing voices

This creates space. Space to hear. Space to understand. Space to be shaped. Without that space, clarity is difficult to sustain.

Formation before platform

Both Paul and John demonstrate a consistent principle: God prepares the person before He expands the platform. This is essential. Platform amplifies whatever is present. If clarity is lacking, confusion is amplified. If depth is lacking, shallowness is exposed. But when formation precedes platform, what is released is stable. Platform reveals what formation has produced.

The temptation to skip withdrawal

Many believers resist withdrawal. They want to move quickly into visibility. They want to act on calling immediately. They want to build, speak, lead. But without withdrawal, formation remains incomplete. And incomplete formation leads to:

• unclear messaging
• unstable leadership
• dependence on external validation

Withdrawal is not wasted time. It is essential preparation.

A Pastoral Observation

Leaders often feel pressure to remain active. To stay visible. To keep moving. To maintain momentum. But there are seasons when God invites withdrawal. Not to diminish influence— but to deepen it. Because what is formed in hiddenness determines what is sustained in visibility.

A different kind of readiness

Before withdrawal, readiness is often defined by ability. After withdrawal, readiness is defined by formation. Paul was intellectually capable before Arabia. John was called before the wilderness. But neither stepped fully into their role until formation had taken place. This is the difference between being gifted and being ready. Calling may be immediate. Readiness is not.

The timing of emergence

Neither Paul nor John remained hidden indefinitely. There was a moment of release. A moment when formation had reached readiness. When that moment came, their impact was clear and immediate. This matters. Hidden seasons are not permanent. They are purposeful. God withdraws with intention— and releases with timing.

Reframing withdrawal

Withdrawal is not loss. It is preparation. It is where God:

• clarifies calling
• refines understanding
• establishes identity

It strengthens the internal foundation before external influence increases.

The pattern confirmed

Paul and John reinforce a pattern seen throughout Scripture:

God withdraws before He releases. God forms before He amplifies. God prepares before He positions. The hidden season is not optional. It is essential. Before God speaks through you publicly, He will form you privately.

Where This Leads

These case studies confirm a consistent truth: Hidden seasons are not random. They are intentional stages of formation. In the next chapter, we will examine the ultimate example—Jesus. If anyone could have bypassed hidden formation, it would have been Him. And yet, He did not.

Hidden seasons are not empty. They are not passive. They are not unproductive. They are intentional. God is forming something. And what He forms in hidden seasons cannot be formed any other way.

The focus of formation

Most believers assume God is preparing their future. Their calling. Their assignment. Their platform. But Scripture reveals a different emphasis. God is not primarily preparing your platform. He is preparing your person.

Why formation matters

What is built publicly must be sustained privately. (Luke 16:10) If the inner life is weak, the outer life will eventually collapse. This is why God prioritizes formation. Gifting may open doors— but only character sustains what those doors require.

The work beneath the surface

Hidden seasons focus on what cannot be seen. Not activity. Not visibility. Not external success. But the inner life. This includes:

• motives
• character
• dependence
• discernment

These are not developed through visibility. They are developed through process.

Formation of humility

Hidden seasons dismantle self-reliance. When visibility decreases and opportunities are limited, a person is confronted with their expectations. Humility begins to form when:

• recognition is removed
• affirmation is absent
• progress is unclear

This exposes a critical question: Why am I doing what I am doing? When external rewards disappear, motives are revealed. Humility is formed when recognition is removed.

Formation of dependence

In visible seasons, it is easy to rely on:

• momentum
• gifting
• opportunity

In hidden seasons, those supports are reduced. Dependence shifts. From self → to God. This is not theoretical. It is practical. When there is no clear path forward, the only option is trust. God often removes what you rely on to teach you to rely on Him.

Formation of obedience

Hidden seasons refine obedience. Not obedience that produces visible results— But obedience that continues when nothing appears to be happening. This is a different kind of faithfulness. It is not driven by outcome. It is driven by alignment.

Formation of character

Character is not formed in moments of success. It is formed in sustained process. When:

• circumstances are unclear
• progress is slow
• outcomes are uncertain

Character is revealed—and then shaped. (Romans 5:3–4) Patience develops. Integrity deepens. Stability increases. This is what allows a person to carry greater responsibility later. What is not formed in hiddenness will be exposed in visibility.

Formation of discernment

Hidden seasons sharpen perception. When activity decreases, awareness increases. Believers begin to notice:

• internal motives
• subtle promptings
• areas of misalignment

Discernment grows not through constant activity— but through intentional stillness.

A Pastoral Observation

Pastors often observe this shift. A believer who once depended on visible progress begins to develop:

• a deeper prayer life
• greater self-awareness
• increased sensitivity to God
• more measured responses

They may feel less certain externally. But they are becoming more stable internally. This is formation.

Why this work is hidden

God does not form these things publicly because they are not performative. They cannot be displayed. They cannot be accelerated. They cannot be manufactured. They must be developed. And development requires time, pressure, and process. God develops in hidden places what cannot be produced in public.

The misunderstanding

Because this work is internal, it is often overlooked. Believers do not recognize:

• humility forming
• dependence deepening
• character stabilizing

They only notice what is missing:

• activity
• visibility
• progress

So they assume nothing is happening. But in reality, the most important work is taking place.

A necessary shift

To understand hidden seasons, priorities must change. From:

• external → internal
• visible → invisible
• immediate → long-term

God is not building for the moment. He is building for what must be sustained. God builds deeply so that what He builds lasts.

The outcome of formation

When hidden seasons are embraced, something changes. The believer becomes:

• less driven by recognition
• less dependent on outcomes
• more anchored in identity
• more stable in uncertainty

This is the goal of formation. Not just activity— but transformation.

Where This Leads

Once the purpose of hidden seasons is understood, resistance begins to decrease. The believer recognizes: God is not withholding. God is forming. In the next chapter, we will examine the dangers of avoiding hidden seasons— and what happens when formation is bypassed. Because what is not formed will eventually be exposed.

Hidden seasons are not optional. They are essential. Yet many believers attempt to avoid them— not intentionally, but practically. They resist slowdown. They avoid obscurity. They push past discomfort. In doing so, they bypass formation.

Three dangers of bypassing formation

Immature Capacity

When formation is rushed, capacity remains underdeveloped. Gifting may open doors—but only character sustains what those doors require. Leaders who skip formation often collapse under the weight of responsibility they were never prepared to carry.

Unanchored Identity

Hidden seasons anchor identity in God—not in performance, recognition, or results. Without this anchoring, identity becomes fragile. When external validation disappears, the leader does not know who they are apart from what they do.

Visible Instability

Leaders who bypass formation often display patterns of instability: overreaction to criticism, anxiety when results are slow, dependence on external validation. These are symptoms of character that was never formed beneath the surface.

The desire to move forward

Most believers want progress. They want movement. They want growth. They want visible results. This is not wrong. But when progress becomes the priority, formation is neglected. Because formation requires:

• patience
• surrender
• endurance

And these do not feel like progress.

The temptation to accelerate

When hidden seasons begin, many attempt to accelerate the process. They create activity. They pursue visibility. They seek opportunities. They try to regain momentum. From the outside, this can look productive. But internally, something is missing. Activity replaces formation. When we rush the process, we weaken the foundation.

Premature promotion

One of the greatest dangers of avoiding hidden seasons is premature promotion. A person steps into influence before formation is complete. Gifting opens the door. But character is not yet prepared. This creates instability. Because what has not been formed cannot be sustained.

When gifting outpaces character

Gifting develops quickly. Character does not. That asymmetry is the whole danger.

The weight of visibility

Visibility carries weight. Responsibility increases. Expectations rise. Pressure intensifies. Without formation, that weight becomes overwhelming. The result is often:

• burnout
• compromise
• collapse

Not because the calling was wrong— but because the formation was incomplete.

Spiritual pride

Another danger of bypassing hidden seasons is spiritual pride. When early success occurs without deep formation, a person begins to rely on:

• gifting
• results
• recognition

Instead of dependence on God. This creates subtle distortion. They may still speak truth. But their posture shifts— from humility to self-reliance. Over time, this erodes spiritual authority. What is gained without formation is often sustained by pride.

Instability in leadership

Without hidden formation, leadership becomes unstable. Decisions become reactive instead of measured. Responses become emotional instead of grounded. Direction becomes inconsistent instead of clear. This affects not only the leader— but everyone they lead. Leadership multiplies influence. Whatever is unformed in the leader will eventually affect others.

The illusion of success

Avoiding hidden seasons can create the appearance of success. Things may grow quickly. Opportunities may increase. Recognition may expand. But without formation, this success is fragile. It is built on:

• momentum
• perception
• external validation

Not depth. What is built on external factors cannot endure internal pressure.

A Pastoral Observation

Pastors often recognize this pattern. A leader rises quickly. They are gifted. They are effective. They are visible. But over time, issues begin to surface. Not because of lack of ability— but because of lack of formation. The foundation is not strong enough to support the weight of responsibility.

Why God slows the process

This is why God allows hidden seasons. Not to delay unnecessarily— but to prevent collapse. God slows the process to strengthen the foundation. He reduces visibility to deepen formation. He limits activity to refine the person.

The cost of skipping formation

When formation is skipped, the cost is high:

• personal failure
• damaged relationships
• loss of credibility
• harm to others

These outcomes are not random. They result from misalignment between calling and character.

A necessary warning

Hidden seasons are not something to escape. They are something to embrace. Avoiding them does not eliminate the need for formation. It only postpones it. And when formation is postponed, it often comes later— under greater pressure. What is not formed early will be forced later.

Reframing the process

Hidden seasons are not restrictive. They are protective. They protect:

• the individual
• the calling
• the people they will influence

They ensure that what is built can be sustained.

Where This Leads

If avoiding hidden seasons leads to instability, embracing them leads to strength. In the next chapter, we will examine how hidden seasons are directly connected to spiritual authority. Because authority is not the result of gifting. It is the result of formation. Wise pastors learn to see what believers often miss.

Not all influence carries authority. Not all gifting produces weight. Not all visibility reflects depth. Spiritual authority is different. It is not achieved. It is not assigned. It is formed.

The difference between gifting and authority

Gifting is given. Authority is developed. Gifting can appear quickly. Authority takes time. A person may be highly gifted—able to communicate, lead, or inspire. But without formation, that gifting lacks weight. It may attract attention. But it does not carry authority.

What is spiritual authority?

Spiritual authority is not position. It is not title. It is not visibility. It is alignment with God. It is the weight that comes from:

• formation
• obedience
• dependence
• integrity

It is what gives words substance. Not because they are loud— but because they are anchored.

Authority is recognized, not claimed

Authority cannot be self-declared. It is recognized. People sense it. They respond to it. They are affected by it. Not because of personality— but because of depth. This is why two people can say the same thing and produce very different results. One speaks with information. The other speaks with authority.

How authority is formed

Authority is formed in hidden places. Not on platforms. Not in moments of visibility. Not through public recognition. It is formed through:

• obedience when no one sees
• faithfulness without reward
• surrender in difficult seasons

Hidden seasons create alignment. Alignment produces authority.

The weight of formation

Authority carries weight. Not pressure—weight. A sense of substance. A depth that is felt, not just heard. This weight comes from:

• tested faith
• refined character
• proven obedience

It cannot be manufactured. It can only be formed. Authority is the weight of a life formed by God.

Why some leaders lack authority

Many leaders are gifted. But not all carry authority. Because authority is not developed through:

• activity
• visibility
• opportunity

It is developed through formation. When formation is limited, authority is shallow. The result is influence without depth. Words without weight. Leadership without stability.

The connection to hidden seasons

Hidden seasons are where authority is formed. They remove:

• distraction
• performance
• external validation

And focus attention on:

• alignment
• obedience
• dependence

These are the conditions where authority develops. Hidden seasons produce the weight that public life requires.

Authority and obedience

Authority is directly connected to obedience. (John 14:21) Not occasional obedience— but consistent obedience. Especially when:

• no one is watching
• nothing is happening
• there is no visible reward

This kind of obedience forms trust. Trust produces authority.

Authority and integrity

Authority is sustained by integrity. Not public integrity— but private integrity. Who a person is when:

• there is no audience
• there is no pressure to perform
• there is no immediate consequence

Hidden seasons reveal and refine this. They expose what is inconsistent and invite transformation.

A Pastoral Observation

Pastors recognize authority in subtle ways. Some individuals carry weight. When they speak, it resonates. When they lead, it stabilizes. When they pray, it carries substance. Not because they are louder— but because they are formed. Others may be equally gifted— but their influence feels different. Lighter. Less anchored. Less enduring. The difference is not gifting. It is formation.

The danger of mistaking visibility for authority

Modern culture often confuses visibility with authority. If someone is seen, they are assumed to be influential. If someone is influential, they are assumed to carry authority. But these are not the same. Visibility can be achieved quickly. Authority cannot. Visibility is given by opportunity. Authority is formed by process.

The fruit of authority

When authority is present, certain qualities become evident:

• clarity without striving
• confidence without pride
• stability under pressure
• consistency over time

Authority does not need to prove itself. It is evident in how a person lives, leads, and responds.

Why This Matters

Without authority, leadership becomes fragile. It depends on:

• momentum
• perception
• external validation

With authority, leadership becomes stable. It is anchored in:

• formation
• identity
• alignment with God

This is what allows a person to endure over time.

Reframing the goal

Many pursue influence. Few pursue formation. But influence without authority is temporary. Authority without influence will eventually be recognized. Because what is formed deeply cannot remain hidden. What God forms in hiddenness, He will eventually reveal in public.

Where This Leads

Hidden seasons are not just about personal growth. They develop the authority required to carry future responsibility. In the next section, we move into pastoral application. We will explore how to recognize hidden seasons in others and guide people through them. Because understanding the process is only the beginning. Helping others walk through it is the calling of every leader. True authority flows from formation, not position.

Hidden seasons are not always obvious. They rarely announce themselves. They do not come with clear labels. They are often misunderstood—even by those experiencing them. This is where pastoral leadership becomes essential. Because what is misinterpreted is often mishandled.

The responsibility of leadership

Pastors and leaders are not only called to teach truth. They are called to interpret seasons. To help people understand:

• where they are
• what God is doing
• how they should respond

Without this guidance, many believers misread hidden seasons and respond incorrectly.

Why hidden seasons are missed

Hidden seasons are often overlooked because they do not match expectations. They do not look like growth. They do not feel like progress. They often resemble:

• slowdown
• loss of momentum
• reduced visibility

Without a framework, these are treated as problems to fix. But in many cases, they are processes to understand.

Common indicators of hidden seasons

While every situation is unique, hidden seasons carry consistent indicators. 1. A Noticeable Slowdown A person who once experienced momentum begins to see it decrease.

• fewer opportunities
• less visible progress
• reduced external activity

This is often the first sign. Not failure— but transition. 2. Loss of Visibility A believer who was once visible becomes less so. They may:

• step out of prominent roles
• receive fewer invitations
• experience reduced recognition

This can feel like regression. But it may be intentional repositioning. 3. Increased Internal Work Externally, things slow. Internally, things deepen. They begin to experience:

• greater self-awareness
• conviction
• reflection
• sensitivity to God

This is a key indicator. Formation shifts focus from outward activity to inward transformation. 4. Uncertainty About What's Next Clarity becomes less defined. They may say:

• "I'm not sure what comes next."
• "Things feel unclear."

This uncertainty is uncomfortable. But it often creates space for dependence. When clarity decreases, dependence increases.

Distinguishing formation from stagnation

One of the most important pastoral skills is distinguishing true stagnation from hidden formation. They can look identical from the outside — the difference is entirely in what each one produces within.

Listening beneath the surface

Leaders must learn to listen carefully. Not just to what people say— but to what is developing within them. A person in formation may say: "I feel stuck." But their life reveals:

• increased patience
• greater humility
• deeper dependence

These are not signs of stagnation. They are signs of formation.

A Pastoral Observation

Over time, patterns become clear. A believer who once measured progress by activity begins to:

• slow down
• listen more
• react less
• seek God more intentionally

They may feel less confident externally. But they are becoming more stable internally. This is not decline. It is development. What appears to be a slowdown may be a shift in the type of growth taking place.

The risk of mislabeling the season

If leaders misidentify a hidden season, they may give the wrong guidance. They may encourage:

• more activity
• increased visibility
• forced momentum

In doing so, they disrupt formation. They attempt to fix what God is intentionally producing.

Reframing the language

Part of pastoral leadership is reframing how people interpret their experience. Instead of saying: "You need to do more." Leaders may need to say: "God may be doing something deeper." Instead of: "Let's get you moving again." It may be: "Let's understand what God is forming." Language shapes perception. Perception shapes response.

Helping people recognize the season

Leaders can guide people by asking better questions:

• What has changed in this season?
• What feels different internally?
• What is God highlighting or exposing?
• Where is growth happening that is not visible?

These questions shift focus from external activity to internal formation.

The goal of recognition

The goal is not simply to identify the season. It is to interpret it correctly. Because once a believer understands:

• this is not failure
• this is not regression
• this is not abandonment

Something changes. They stop resisting. They begin cooperating.

Why This Matters

If hidden seasons are recognized correctly, they become productive. If they are misinterpreted, they become frustrating. The difference is not the season. It is the understanding. Correct interpretation transforms the experience of the season.

Where This Leads

Once leaders can recognize hidden seasons, the next step is guiding people through them. Recognition is not enough. People need direction. In the next chapter, we will explore how to shepherd believers through hidden seasons— with clarity, patience, and wisdom. Shortcuts produce leaders who cannot last.

Hidden seasons are difficult for everyone. But they are especially difficult for leaders. Because leaders are accustomed to movement. They are used to:

• initiating
• building
• influencing
• producing

When those things slow down or are removed, the impact is not just external. It is internal.

Why leaders struggle more

For many leaders, identity becomes tied to activity. They are known for:

• what they do
• what they build
• what they produce

So when activity decreases, it does not feel like a change in season. It feels like a loss of identity. When activity defines identity, hidden seasons feel like loss.

The challenge of reduced visibility

Leaders are accustomed to visibility. They are seen. They are heard. They are relied upon. Hidden seasons reduce or remove this.

• fewer opportunities
• less recognition
• diminished influence

This creates tension. Because visibility has become familiar. Its absence feels disorienting.

The internal questions leaders ask

In hidden seasons, leaders wrestle with questions they often do not express:

• Am I still effective?
• Has my influence diminished?
• Did I miss something?
• Is this a step backward?

These questions are not signs of weakness. They indicate that identity is being refined.

The pressure to maintain momentum

Leaders feel pressure to keep things moving. To maintain growth. To sustain influence. To produce results. So when a hidden season begins, they try to resist it. They attempt to:

• create opportunities
• generate activity
• reestablish momentum

But this works against formation. Leaders often try to maintain what God is intentionally slowing.

The temptation of platform dependency

Over time, leaders can become dependent on platform. Not intentionally— but functionally. Platform provides:

• affirmation
• clarity
• feedback
• a sense of purpose

When it is reduced, leaders can feel disconnected. Not from God— but from the structure they have relied on.

Identity under pressure

Hidden seasons expose where identity is rooted. (Colossians 3:3) If identity is tied to:

• position
• performance
• productivity

Its removal creates instability. But if identity is rooted in:

• relationship with God
• calling beyond activity
• internal formation

Hidden seasons become stabilizing.

A different definition of strength

Leaders often define strength as movement. Taking action. Creating progress. Driving outcomes. Hidden seasons redefine strength. Strength becomes:

• restraint
• patience
• trust

The ability not to move when God is not leading.

A Pastoral Observation

Leaders in hidden seasons often feel:

• restless
• uncertain
• less confident

But something else is happening. They are becoming:

• more reflective
• more grounded
• more discerning
• less reactive

They may feel less effective externally. But they are becoming more stable internally.

The need for honest conversations

Leaders need space to process. Not just instruction— but conversation. They need:

• permission to express tension
• clarity about the process
• reassurance that nothing is wrong

Without this, they may misinterpret the season.

Guarding against isolation

Hidden seasons can feel isolating—especially for leaders. They are often the ones providing guidance rather than receiving it. It is critical that leaders remain connected. Not for activity— but for perspective. Isolation without perspective leads to misinterpretation.

The discipline of remaining faithful

For leaders, faithfulness in hidden seasons is critical. Not faithfulness that produces visible outcomes— But faithfulness that maintains alignment. This includes:

• consistency in spiritual practices
• presence in relationships
• responsiveness to God

Even when external results are limited.

Letting go of performance

Hidden seasons invite leaders to release performance. To stop measuring value by output. To stop defining success by visibility. This is not easy. But it is necessary. Performance-driven leadership cannot sustain long-term influence. God is not asking you to perform. He is forming you.

Trusting the process

Leaders must learn to trust:

God is not reducing influence— He is refining it. God is not removing purpose— He is strengthening it. God is not stepping back— He is working deeper.

A necessary reorientation

Hidden seasons reorient leaders from:

• doing → being
• producing → becoming
• leading externally → growing internally

This is not a downgrade. It is a recalibration.

Why This Matters

If leaders do not navigate hidden seasons well, they risk:

• forcing outcomes
• losing alignment
• becoming discouraged

But if they embrace the process, they gain:

• depth
• stability
• authority

This is what allows leadership to endure. What is formed in hiddenness determines what can be sustained in leadership.

Where This Leads

Hidden seasons are not permanent. There is a transition point— a moment when formation has reached maturity and responsibility begins to increase. In the next chapter, we will explore how to recognize when a hidden season is shifting— and how to step into what God is releasing without forcing it. Leaders need shepherds too.

Hidden seasons are not permanent. They are purposeful. They are formative. But they are not endless. There comes a point when the season begins to shift. Not because we force it— but because God initiates it.

The transition point

Just as God leads into hidden seasons, He leads out of them. This transition is often subtle at first. Not dramatic. Not immediate. But noticeable. Something begins to change. Clarity increases. Opportunity returns. Responsibility grows. But this time, it feels different.

Signs a season is shifting

Hidden seasons do not end randomly. They shift when formation has reached readiness. While every situation is unique, certain indicators are consistent. 1. Increased Clarity What once felt uncertain begins to come into focus. Direction becomes clearer. Decisions feel more defined. Not because every question is answered— but because internal alignment has increased. 2. Increased Responsibility Opportunities begin to return. Not in overwhelming volume— but with intentionality. There is a sense that:

• what is being entrusted is meaningful
• what is being given is aligned

This is not a return to activity. It is a progression into responsibility. 3. Internal Readiness The most important shift is internal. The person becomes:

• more stable
• more grounded
• less reactive
• less dependent on outcomes

They are no longer striving to move forward. They are ready to respond. The clearest sign of readiness is not urgency, but stability.

The danger of self-promotion

One of the greatest risks in this transition is moving ahead of God. After a long hidden season, there can be a strong desire to act quickly. To make up for lost time. To regain momentum. But this disrupts the process. Emergence must be led— not forced. What God initiates, He sustains. What we force, we must carry.

Letting God open the door

In Scripture, those formed in hidden seasons did not create their own release. God opened the door — the same five lives this book has traced:

A different posture

Emerging from hidden seasons requires a different posture. Not striving— but responsiveness. Not urgency— but attentiveness. Not self-promotion— but trust. The question is no longer: "How do I move forward?" But: "What is God opening?"

Carrying what has been formed

As responsibility increases, what has been formed begins to surface.

• humility shapes leadership
• dependence anchors decisions
• discernment guides direction
• character sustains influence

This is the purpose of hidden seasons. Not only to prepare— but to ensure that what is carried can be sustained.

A Pastoral Observation

Leaders who emerge well are noticeably different. They are:

• less reactive
• less driven by recognition
• more grounded in identity
• more consistent over time

They do not rush to prove themselves. They move with clarity and restraint. This is not hesitation. It is maturity.

Recognizing God's timing

God's timing is not always obvious. But it is recognizable. Doors open that were previously closed. Opportunities align without force. Clarity emerges without striving. There is a sense of grace on the moment. This is different from manufactured movement. It carries peace. When God opens the door, there is clarity without striving.

Remaining anchored

As visibility increases, the lessons of hidden seasons must remain.

• dependence must continue
• humility must remain
• obedience must remain central

The goal is not just to emerge— but to remain aligned.

The continuity of formation

Emerging from a hidden season does not mean formation is complete. It means a phase has been completed. The process continues. Every new level of responsibility requires continued alignment.

Reframing the transition

Emerging is not about:

• regaining what was lost
• restoring previous momentum

It is about:

• stepping into what has been prepared
• carrying what has been formed
• responding to what God is initiating

Where This Leads

This brings us to the final perspective. Hidden seasons are not interruptions. They are investments. They prepare what God will later entrust. In the conclusion, we will bring this together— and reframe hidden seasons as one of the most important aspects of spiritual formation.