No one wants to wander in the wilderness!

As a young girl, I lived in rural Mississippi on a farm and have fond memories of hunting, fishing, and growing our vegetables. My sister and I would spend all day outdoors playing in the wooded area behind our house. We loved being in the wilderness and playing house, school, or whatever else our imagination desired. Hanging out in the wilderness proved to be great, all-day fun, and it left me with such wonderful memories. I loved it and often wished my children could have had that experience. But while reflecting on that time, the Lord reminded me of something. Being in the wilderness isn’t always fun. The wilderness can get dark. You can get lost. It can be lonely and isolating.

Some of you find yourselves in wilderness seasons today. Those are seasons when we wander, certain that we’ve been forgotten. We feel alone and contemplate if the Lord has plans to prosper us and give us a future and hope. But do you know what I’ve learned about wilderness seasons? Those seasons are the perfect times for refining, testing, growing our faith, and strengthening our resolve. Wilderness seasons are hard, yes, but they aren’t always bad. We learn much in the challenging parts of our lives.

Are you facing a difficult season right now? Here’s the good news. The God who got you through the prior hard season is the same God who will get you through this one! Here are some things you can do while you are in this season, though:

1. Lean on the power of Scripture. Take a look at Luke 4:1-13. What did Jesus do every time He was tested? He quoted Scripture. You must be in the Word regularly to know what power you have. The Bible strengthens us to endure battles. Hosea 4:6 says, “My people perish for lack of knowledge.” Most of us don’t even walk in all the power we have received because we do not know what it is! We must plant in the Word of God during testing times. His Word reminds us that He will not leave us or forsake us. He will not let us drown or burn from the refining. He holds us up with His victorious right hand. I don’t know about you, but I need to remember this when I feel like I’m drowning.
2. You must pay attention. Think about the difference between a driver and a passenger in a car. Passengers can be completely disengaged. They can be scrolling through their phone. They don’t have to know what turns to make or what other cars are doing. They don’t have to be safe and wise. However, drivers steer the wheel. They must be keenly aware of their surroundings. They take responsibility for the car. While you are in the wilderness season, what is God trying to teach you? What lessons are all around you? How might the Lord refine you in this hour, such that you will be stronger, once you leave this season? Do not disengage. Be wise. Be aware. Even this trial, pain, and adversity can be used to glorify God.
3. Know this season will end. There will be rest when you come out of the wilderness season, out of this season of testing and hardship. There’s peace. There’s hope. Look at Matthew 4: 11. “Then the devil went away, and angels came and took care of Jesus.” After Jesus’ testing, the angels nursed him back to health. God has not forgotten about you. Take the time to rest in Christ’s eternal peace, knowing He hasn’t left you. One of the fruits of the Spirit is hope. You received hope when you accepted Christ as your Savior. Some of you have experienced a temporary setback. It could’ve come in the form of abuse or divorce or an unwed pregnancy, or death. But for whatever reason, you’ve had a setback. I want to remind you that God has given you every tool you need to survive the setback, and it will end.

Points to Ponder:

• Have you ever asked God why? Why am I here? Why am I wandering? What do you think God is trying to teach you during this time?