Some seasons of life just feel so very long. And when they drag on and on, it’s easy to get lost, give up hope, or wonder if you will ever see an easy day again. Weariness is real, and it feels bone deep when you feel like you’re just aimlessly and purposelessly wandering through life. Hopelessness sneaks in, and you start to hear that evil little whisper that good things aren’t waiting for you. Nights get longer, days feel heavier, and you wonder, “How do I get out of here?!”
The good news is that even the wilderness seasons serve a good purpose. Honestly, we may never know all the answers or the entire purpose behind some of it, but I do know that God wastes nothing. There was a reason for every wilderness season in the Bible, and through those examples, we can find a way to keep walking when the way is hard.
- Know God’s Word: After Jesus’s baptism, but before He started His actual ministry, He had a season in the literal wilderness. Satan met Him there too, just like that dirty ole devil meets us in our wilderness seasons. But the way Jesus answered him? He spoke God’s word over those temptations to give up and give in. And we can’t speak the Word unless we KNOW the Word. So, when the going gets tough and the way forward is confusing? Get in your Bible. Start with this particular story: Matthew 4: 1-11.
- Focus Your Gaze: Even after witnessing miracles, Peter doubted when he was tired and fighting against the wind and waves in the disciples boat. It’s easy to forget Who is in control when you’re tired and worn out and still trying to fight. But when Peter saw Jesus walking on water and offered to come meet Him out there, Jesus said, “Come,” and by dog it, Peter did! He walked on water! But as soon as those pesky waves distracted him, as soon as the weariness of his wilderness became the focus, he sank! Jesus, of course, rescued him immediately, but the issue wasn’t in what Peter believed deep down, what he knew to be true, it was in where he fixed his attention. If we focus on the problem, the problem takes over, but if we keep our eyes on the One who is actually in control of everything, the wilderness becomes our playground where we too can walk on water. (Matthew 14: 22-33)
- Renew Your Mind: There are some simple verses that I go back to when my thoughts get dark and dreary. It is so helpful to me, when things feel big, heavy, catastrophic even, to remind myself of these verses and renew my focus. Sometimes I even have to look in the mirror and speak things out loud that I know are true and good. So here are some helpful verses to renew your mind and to focus on the good:
- Philippians 4:8 (ESV) Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
- Colossians 3:2 (ESV) Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.
- 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 (ESV) For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ.
- Isaiah 40:31 (ESV) But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint
- Psalm 51:10 (ESV) Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me
- Isaiah 54:17 (ESV) No weapon that is fashioned against you shall succeed, and you shall refute every tongue that rises against you in judgment.
This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord and their vindication[a] from me, declares the Lord.”
- Feed Your Body: Food is mentioned so often in the Bible, and it was obviously important to Jesus. God provided Heavenly food for His people; Jesus multiplied food for weary travelers. But one of my favorite Bible stories of someone in a wilderness season was the prophet Elijah. He was weary to the point of just wanting to hurry up and die. He’d just won a big prophet battle in God’s name, but now Queen Jezebel was chasing after him to have him killed. When God’s prophet Elijah was physically, emotionally, and spiritually exhausted, ready to give up and die, God sent his angels to give him snacks and a good nap. God graciously provided him with rest and nourishment, showing that sometimes the most spiritual thing a weary person can do is sleep and get a good meal. Sometimes in the wilderness, all you really need to do is feed your body and rest in God’s provision. He’s got it, just be still.
The wilderness isn’t a fun place to be, but it is no surprise to God. The Creator of the Universe is also the Creator, Friend, and Father of you. He cares, He sees, He knows. Thank Him for even this hard season, because He has good things planned for you on the other side, and even now, He provides all you need to keep moving forward.
Jesus loves you, and so do I!
Dr. Allison Key
