Truth be known, life does sometimes feel like a desert. This might be in a lack-lustre period of your career, retirement or bereavement. It could be in terms of feeling unfulfilled in relationships with others and especially felt keenly if you feel God is distant at a time when you feel a real need of him. A spiritual wilderness is a tough place – there seems to be no shelter or beauty, nothing to nourish you and no way out. In such times, there are many valid questions but there is also the priority of survival. Perhaps you have known such a time or are in that wilderness place even now.
- ‘The wilderness rescued me. I have been shaped by my experiences in the great outdoors. Feeling comfortable in the wild gave me the confidence to be who I am, not who others want me to be’ – Ben Fogle
- ‘Victory at all costs, victory in spite of all terror, victory however long and hard the road may be; for without victory, there is no survival’ – Winston Churchill
- ‘None know how often the hand of God is seen in a wilderness but them that rove it for a man’s life’ – Thomas Cole
- ‘The rules of survival never change, whether you’re in a desert or in an arena’ – Bear Grylls
There are casualties in desert places but there are also survivors. So what is it that makes the difference between a survivor and a casualty for it could make the difference to you next time you find yourself in a wilderness? Edward Michael Grylls was born 7 June 1974 and became famous for survival skills in the harshest environments on the planet. His elder sister Lara gave him the nickname ‘Bear’ when he was a week old. He’s been outspoken about his Christian faith even in his public life, describing it as the ‘backbone’ in his life: ’You can’t keep God out. He’s all around us, if we’re just still enough to listen.’ Bear’s colourful life as a former SAS trooper and adventurer comes through the TV programmes he has presented and books he has written, notably in a Christian devotional titled ‘Soul Fuel’ (2019). Grylls was appointed as The Scout Association’s youngest-ever Chief Scout of the United Kingdom and Overseas Territories in 2009 aged just 35.
Daniel Kolenda became the successor to the renowned Reinhard Bonnke in 2017. Kolenda recognised the universal challenge of tough times that come to those who choose to trust God by publishing a book with the title, ‘Surviving Your Wilderness’. Here’s a summary of his six suggestions:
- Don’t panic – refuse natural fear and embrace God’s love for you
- Assess your situation – use God-given resources for the wilderness you find yourself in
- Find shelter – God is closer than you realise to be your refuge
- Build a fire – worship God despite the circumstances
- Drink water – keep spiritually hydrated through prayer
- Find nourishment – God’s Word will uphold you
When a person first comes to trust Jesus, it’s the beginning of a relationship and everything seems rosy. In this ‘honeymoon’ period, there is often much joy, relief that sins are forgiven and God feels close with answered prayer coming easily. Why then does it seem that God takes us into desert places and then withdraws? Does this make him any less ‘real’ than at the beginning of faith or is something else going on which is actually for good? Moses fell out with God at times during his prolonged time in the desert but it was there that the Lord provided food, water, guidance and had a ‘one-to-One’ that was never forgotten. Even Jesus was led into a wilderness – it was there that his calling and character were tested. The Apostle Paul saw God work many healings in others he prayed for but he himself had to endure a ‘thorn’ in the flesh. Many people listed in Hebrews 11 experienced great trials but they grew as they pressed on through by faith and so do we. Maturity and character take time to develop solidly. God sees how we often struggle but he always works all things together for our good, even when we don’t realise it.
- ‘This doesn’t mean, of course, that we have only a hope of future joys—we can be full of joy here and now even in our trials and troubles. Taken in the right spirit these very things will give us patient endurance; this in turn will develop a mature character, and a character of this sort produces a steady hope, a hope that will never disappoint us. Already we have some experience of the love of God flooding through our hearts by the Holy Spirit given to us’ – Romans 5:3 (Phillips)
- ‘And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose’ – Romans 8:28
- ‘These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect’ – Hebrews 11:39-40
- ‘This work must continue until we are all joined together in the same faith and in the same knowledge about the Son of God. We must become like a mature person—we must grow until we become like Christ and have all his perfection’ – Ephesians 4:13
If you find yourself in a wilderness, realise that it is no accident and that God is closer than you might think. His plans and purposes are always for your good. Keep praying – the answer may be ‘yes’, ‘no’ or ‘wait’. God will never forsake you as you are too precious to him and he may just be taking you to another level of faith and maturity. Look around for his provisions and hang on in there until easier times with green pastures come again.
Matt Redman’s song about times of wilderness is worth a listen: ‘Blessed Be Your Name’
Blessed Be Your Name
In the land that is plentiful
Where Your streams of abundance flow
Blessed be Your name
Blessed Be Your name
When I’m found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed Be Your name
Every blessing You pour out
I’ll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name
For more reading: The Voice – Connect4Life
A helpful video by Allen Parr for anyone becoming disconnected from God whilst in a wilderness:
