Are you on a Journey in the Wilderness

"You shall remember all the way which the Lord your God has led you in the wilderness these forty years, that He might humble you, testing you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not. He humbled you and let you be hungry, and fed you with manna which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that He might make you understand that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by everything that proceeds out of the mouth of the Lord." - Deuteronomy 8:2-3


Psalms 121:1 by CrossCards

Have you been in the wilderness lately? The wilderness of anxiety, discouragement, or loss can be overwhelming at times.

When you're walking through those dark valleys in life, it seems that God is far away. At times, you begin to think you are all alone in your pain and discomfort. The aching in your heart seems unbearable and all you want to do is escape. Have you ever felt like that? I know I have. I've been in that low valley of discouragement, when everything around me appeared to be slipping away. My friends, my family, and my life seemed to be moving into a direction I wasn't prepared to go.

Friends leave or move away. Family and loved ones pass away. You begin to see your life slowly departing into a new realm of existence. These are the hard times. The days of change.

When the leaves change colors, you know they will soon fall off their trees. The season of autumn comes before the cold winter. In the same way, when you see the changes occurring in your life, you know that a new season is approaching.

When you walk with God long enough, you'll be able to trust in those seasons of change. You'll know this is yet another growing period in your life. Don't be dismayed. Don't check out just yet. Give the season time to change you inside and out.

The Israelites roamed the desert for 40 years because they were not ready. Their journey through the wilderness was partly about teaching, rebuking, discipline and faith. When you are encountering your wilderness, keep in mind God's faithfulness. He will stand beside you, he will provide for you, and he will lead you out into a new life, a promised life.

Stand firm in your faith. Keep trusting in Him. In time, the wilderness journey will soon end. That cold winter will eventually turn to spring.