“For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55: 9
The Christian Wilderness. How shall I start to explain this? The best way I can describe it is that you are confronted with an anti-you barrier, and in the eyes of the world you look like a loser. Limitation after limitation have been part of your life now for years, or you’ve had to endure a lifetime of restriction. What I mean is that you are no longer able to get or have the things other people get or have so easily. You’re not a loser! I’ve had visions of me carrying an umbrella under a dark cloud, while everyone else around me is enjoying the sunshine.
When you are in the wilderness, just know that the anti-you barrier is placed there supernaturally. God shuts down your life as you know it. He takes you out of your Egypt, the way that you determine in your heart life should be. It seems very cruel and unfair to have all of your earthly comforts and your normal ability to manage your life removed. But there is a method and a purpose to this madness; simply put, God is getting rid of everything that Satan can use to tempt you. Let me explain…
“Then He said to them, “The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.” Luke 10: 2
Really tough times are before us, and the harvest field is great. Right now there are multitudes of people who are hurting, depressed, suicidal, oppressed by the enemy… who are looking for answers and searching for truth. They will need exactly what God has imparted to you during your time in the wilderness. Isn’t it true that many people only turn to God when their lives fall apart – I did! Heartache after heartache will make them sit up and take notice of God’s work in your life. God will show them His abundance of love and power through you. Your job will be to point them or even carry them into the arms of Jesus. We will be able to administer the same anesthetic God used on our wounds.
“… that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” 2 Corinthians 1: 4
This time of isolation is your time of intense purification from the world’s systems, and most importantly is a time of spiritual preparation and inner-healing. The Holy Spirit transforms you from the inside out; He allows your old foundation (which is built of sand) to crumble and be destroyed in order to show you how spiritually bankrupt you are, and to build a new foundation that will not be destroyed by anything. This new foundation is constructed on nothing but Jesus Christ. Everything, and I mean everything (career, health, church-life, marriage, finances, your sanity, etc.) in your life will be “shaken.” Whatever remains, will only be what is part of His plan for your new life.
Joseph, Abraham, David, Paul, Moses, even Jesus (to name just a few), spent time in the wilderness. It’s the “boot camp” God utilizes to get people ready for the great work He planned for them to do. Like David, With God’s help and extensive training you will be able to kill the bear and lion, and eventually you will have the faith needed to slay the Goliaths that you will soon face. Above all, humility and faith are the two things most needed. These attributes are the keys we need to walk in God’s power, but they are only developed through many trials and years of secret training.
There are many Christians now who are coming out of their wilderness.