Inside: We may feel like we’re wasting time when we’re stuck in the wilderness, but these tough seasons can transform our hearts and prepare us for what’s next like nothing else. ~
The topic of the wilderness seems to be coming up quite a bit lately. I’m taking a Bible study at church about it. My blogger friend Michele Morin touched on it in our recent Q&A.
I’m not in a wilderness season myself—not right now, anyway. I’ve been there before, though, and I’m guessing you have too.
A former pastor described the wilderness as “a particular time or place between where you are and where God wants you to be.” It may seem like we’re wasting time while we’re there, but the truth is, these dry, desolate landscapes have the potential to transform our hearts and prepare us for what’s next like nothing else.
Years ago, in a class I taught at church, we talked about what the wilderness looks like, why it’s so hard and why God allows us to linger there. If you are trudging through a desert of your own right now, I hope the following truths gleaned from my lesson notes provide perspective and encouragement for you today.
Into the Wilderness
• Every Christian goes through wilderness experiences, some more than others.
• Not every hard or inconvenient thing is the wilderness.
• Sometimes we don’t know we’re in the wilderness until we’re well into it.
• Sometimes the wilderness is difficult because it’s so intense; sometimes it’s the length of time is that makes it hard.
• When we’re in the wilderness, we need to accept the fact that we are there and might be there for quite some time.
God is With Us
• God is sovereign over the wilderness. He tests us and may allow sifting, but whatever happens, we are never completely at the mercy of Satan.
• While in the wilderness, we should remember that God is with us, but not expect Him to live up to our expectations of what He will look like or do.
• When we are at the end of our rope in the wilderness, God will strengthen us.
• At our lowest points—laid bare with no idea how to move forward—we need to hold on to the realization that God is enough.
Life Goes On
• Life goes on in the wilderness. Just because we’re there doesn’t mean we’re going to be miserable all the time.
• When we get a respite in the wilderness, we should try to enjoy it. Cue a verse I’ve loved forever: “Then they came to Elim where there were twelve springs of water and seventy date palms, and they camped there beside the waters.” (Exodus 15:27)
• Things are not always as they seem in the wilderness. Just as deserts have mirages, so our foggy minds can play tricks on us. Cue another verse that is one of my go-to prayers: “Send Your light and Your truth; let them lead me.” (Psalm 43:3)
Heart Work
• If we are in the wilderness due to no fault of our own, it’s because our loving heavenly Father deems it necessary. It’s the right place to be if He has allowed us to be there.
• If we get there because we’ve run away or made bad choices, God is still there. We need to move toward Him; He will redeem.
• God leads us and takes care of us in the wilderness, even when sin puts us there.
• It may be hard to see except in retrospect, but one heart issue that God often deals with in the wilderness is pride. (Ask me how I know.)
After the Wilderness
• Some wilderness experiences end victoriously; some end quietly.
• Even when we can see the wilderness in our rearview mirror, we may never be completely “over it.” Scars and sadness may always serve as reminders of where we’ve been and how it has affected us.
• The wilderness will change us, so our ministries may be completely different once we leave than they were before we got there. Remember: God doesn’t just have one assignment for us in life; He gives us different ones during different seasons.
• When the rough terrain becomes smooth again, we need to appreciate where we are, which is NOT in the wilderness.
Now that you’ve read my list, I would love to know: What has the wilderness taught you that you may not have learned somewhere else? Also, if you stopped on any of these points and thought, I’d love to read more about that one, let me know in the comments.
♥ Lois
While in the wilderness, we should remember that God is with us, but not expect Him to live up to our expectations of what He will look like or do. Share on X If we are in the wilderness due to no fault of our own, it’s because our loving heavenly Father deems it necessary. It’s the right place to be if He has allowed us to be there. Share on X The wilderness will change us, so our ministries may be completely different once we leave than they were before we got there. Share on XP.S. I’m linking up this week with #tellhisstory, InstaEncouragements, Let’s Have Coffee and Grace & Truth.