Wilderness Experiences

PrincessFromOz · Apr 8, 2008

Sometimes we go through times in our lives which I would call "wilderness experiences". Times of turmoil, brokenness, transition, confusion, barrenness, or all of the above.

For those who are in this place, or have been there, you'll understand what I mean.

What is God teaching you through this time? Or what did He teach you last time you were there?

I'm going through a bit of a confusing / potentially disheartening time at the moment, but at the same time, I have such joy. Holding on to God's promises, and knowing that I serve a loving and faithful God: this is what keeps me going and smiling every day. Sometimes I slip into fear or sadness, but God reminds me of his enduring faithfulness through the years, and fills me with hope because I know he will deliver me.

In this time, I know God is purifying my life. He is getting rid of the wrong heart-attitudes that have been lurking deep within through the years.. all of the things that don't please him, and he is changing me more into his likeness. It's a great comfort to know that he is doing this so that I will be the kind of person he wants me to be in the days to come, for the things he has planned me to do and to be.

You are always safe when God is your heart-surgeon, but sometimes it hurts like billy-oh because his surgery is deep and thorough.

Thoughts anyone?

PrincessFromOz · Apr 8, 2008

Oh and by the way, for anyone going through a time of brokenness, I'd highly recommend reading "A tale of three kings" by Gene Edwards. The book has ministered to me profoundly.

Mark2010 · Apr 8, 2008

Way cool.

Have been there and, in some ways, am in a time like that now. One thing I have learned from talking to others on forums such as these is that so many of us go through times like that. It's tempting to feel like we all alone, that no one understands. These are the times we need each other most.

As for what God is teaching me? I suppose that may be something only visible in hindsight. I'm sure there are things, but right now it's hard to see the forest for the trees.

latteda · Apr 8, 2008

Mark2010 said:
As for what God is teaching me? I suppose that may be something only visible in hindsight.

That's exactly what I was going to say. I've definitely been there, and find myself there pretty often. Usually when I'm in that place, I don't feel like I'm learning anything. God often feels really distant. I just have to remind myself that during those times when He seems unseen, He's usually doing the greatest spiritual work in my life. So I have to just hang in there and remain obedient...then eventually I'll be able to look back and see that He really was doing big things in my life even though it didn't seem that way at the time.

mina · Apr 8, 2008

i am going through a wilderness right now and have been there for a couple of years. I think God is teaching me to trust even when i can't see. I'm trying and i hope i learn so i can get out of the wilderness very soon.

deliciousBass · Apr 8, 2008

mina said:
i am going through a wilderness right now and have been there for a couple of years. I think God is teaching me to trust even when i can't see. I'm trying and i hope i learn so i can get out of the wilderness very soon.

Somebody's got the week off

I've learned that sometimes you need to be in that wilderness and experience trials by fire in order to burn away all the unhealthy impurities that occupy our time and life. And in the end, although you are slightly charred, you come out a better person.

Sometimes I get kind of bitter about things and question God and wonder why in the world bad things happen to good people. But in the end, I concede that God knows the plans he has for me and if they include going through painful times in order to become even a fraction of the person he wants me to become, then so be it.

I think the time I've spent in the wilderness has really helped me be more sensitive to others when they are going through trying times and has revealed sides of me that I didn't know existed.

mina · Apr 8, 2008

this wilderness time has taught me compassion for others.

Luther073082 · Apr 8, 2008

Aww and here I was ready to retell my experience in the forest falling into icy cold flood waters.

Trust me I know what you are talking about. I feel like I'm in the wilderness with a blindfold.

songz777 · Apr 8, 2008

I was there for 3 years but ist glorious when you come out and you will never be the same again (for good that is) there is a rich reward for suffering in Gods will and testing .. even if He does use the singles thing to refine us.

PrincessFromOz · Apr 8, 2008

latteda said:
Usually when I'm in that place, I don't feel like I'm learning anything. God often feels really distant. I just have to remind myself that during those times when He seems unseen, He's usually doing the greatest spiritual work in my life.

Yep, definately true

PrincessFromOz · Apr 8, 2008

deliciousBass said:
Somebody's got the week off

I've learned that sometimes you need to be in that wilderness and experience trials by fire in order to burn away all the unhealthy impurities that occupy our time and life. And in the end, although you are slightly charred, you come out a better person.

Sometimes I get kind of bitter about things and question God and wonder why in the world bad things happen to good people. But in the end, I concede that God knows the plans he has for me and if they include going through painful times in order to become even a fraction of the person he wants me to become, then so be it.

I think the time I've spent in the wilderness has really helped me be more sensitive to others when they are going through trying times and has revealed sides of me that I didn't know existed.

True, I experience the same thing.

bithiah2 · Apr 8, 2008

i spent one year in the wilderness, and i am just coming out. i remember an old song they used to sing called "How Did You Feel When You Came out of the Wilderness" and the answer was "Leaning on the Lord". i didn't even know i was out, it took a minute to adjust. but i learned through that year, how to really pray, and listen for God. i had to learn how to discern between the voice of God, the voice of man, and the voice of the devil. sometimes i couldn't tell. i had to spend hours with God at a time, just trying to get to that place where i could find some peace. most of the time i read the Psalms out loud. i would copy the Word of God into a notebook, just to get it into my heart because of the things i had to endure just to make it through.
i lost a lot of friends, or people i thought were my friends. trials and tests will reveal who your real friends are. the firey trial will burn up everything out of your life that is not of God.
when it was over, there were very few people left.
but i was left with everything i needed, i learned how to trust in God, i really learned how to pray, and i can see and hear like i could not before.
i became a better person. i still speak my mind, but it is from conviction, and not from off the top of my head.
and i know that God is good. he will make my enemies my footstool, not just the ones i can see, but especially the ones i cannot.
no matter what we go through, God is always with us, and whatever He allows will make us better, if we allow it. it is not what we go through, but what we do while we are going through that makes our lives change. we have to accept what comes our way and listen to whatever God tells us to in that situation.
God is Great!
bithiah2

Psalm 116

PrincessFromOz · Apr 9, 2008

bithiah2 said:
i spent one year in the wilderness, and i am just coming out. i remember an old song they used to sing called "How Did You Feel When You Came out of the Wilderness" and the answer was "Leaning on the Lord". i didn't even know i was out, it took a minute to adjust. but i learned through that year, how to really pray, and listen for God. i had to learn how to discern between the voice of God, the voice of man, and the voice of the devil. sometimes i couldn't tell. i had to spend hours with God at a time, just trying to get to that place where i could find some peace. most of the time i read the Psalms out loud. i would copy the Word of God into a notebook, just to get it into my heart because of the things i had to endure just to make it through.
i lost a lot of friends, or people i thought were my friends. trials and tests will reveal who your real friends are. the firey trial will burn up everything out of your life that is not of God.
when it was over, there were very few people left.
but i was left with everything i needed, i learned how to trust in God, i really learned how to pray, and i can see and hear like i could not before.
i became a better person. i still speak my mind, but it is from conviction, and not from off the top of my head.
and i know that God is good. he will make my enemies my footstool, not just the ones i can see, but especially the ones i cannot.
no matter what we go through, God is always with us, and whatever He allows will make us better, if we allow it. it is not what we go through, but what we do while we are going through that makes our lives change. we have to accept what comes our way and listen to whatever God tells us to in that situation.
God is Great!
bithiah2

Psalm 116

Good stuff

justanobserver · Apr 9, 2008

PrincessFromOz said:
Wilderness Experiences

Sometimes we go through times in our lives which I would call "wilderness experiences". Times of turmoil, brokenness, transition, confusion, barrenness, or all of the above.

For those who are in this place, or have been there, you'll understand what I mean.

What is God teaching you through this time? Or what did He teach you last time you were there?

Thoughts anyone?

I am so deep in the wildeness there aint even a map for the area I am in! So, at this time, all I can go by is the Compass to guide me.

GQ Chris · Apr 9, 2008

I think that God is preparing me for the Ministry and is refining the parts of my life that need to be put through the Fire.

I hold on to this scripture in James " And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing"

I hold on to this and remember that the things worth having don't come easy.

Wilderness Experiences

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