Some people train for wilderness survival. They learn how to find water, food, and shelter. They learn what to avoid. They learn to recognize paths that lead out of the wilderness. I was thinking that Christians need wilderness survival training.
We associate the wilderness with a long, hard dry season. That season lasted 40 years for the Israelites. You may feel like you're in a wilderness season, even if it hasn't lasted forty years. It's a season where no doors are opening, no prospects of breakthrough into God's promises are evident, and life seems like drudgery. You may feel like giving up on your dreams, be tempted to stop pursuing them, and stop believing God that they will ever become reality.
To get through a season of walking in a
spiritual wilderness, we need to apply
4 wilderness survival skills.
These skills are:
(1) BE THANKFUL
(2) PRAY
(3) DECREE
(4) FIND FOOD
(1) BE THANKFUL: This lesson is learned from the Israelites. Actually, the Israelites teach us what not to do in the wilderness - COMPLAIN and MURMUR*.
"Do all things without
complaining and disputing"
Phil. 2:14.
"In everything give thanks;
(even the wilderness season)
for this is the will of God
in Christ Jesus for you"
1 Thessalonians 5:18.
(2) PRAY: Jesus is our example. He chose to pray in the wilderness. "And he withdrew himself into the wilderness and prayed" (Luke 5:6). He did major miracles before this withdrawal and afterward. He chose the wilderness because it was a solitary place, a secret place of prayer. He knew the magnitude of what He was called to do and He knew it would only be accomplished if He spent time with the Father, time pouring out His heart and receiving the Father's heart.
Likewise,
the plans that God has for you
will not be accomplished
without visiting this secret place
of humble heart-changing prayer.
(Debbie)
(3) DECREE: Another good example of wilderness living is demonstrated by John the Baptist. "(John the Baptist) The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low, and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth" (Luke 3:4-5). The Bible tells us that he "cried" (decreed) in the wilderness "prepare ye the way of the Lord". He spoke to obstacles that need to move. In our wilderness season, we need to step into the habit of making bold decrees concerning our dreams and the things that God has promised us (the way of Lord for our lives).
"Thou shalt also decree a thing,
and it shall be established unto thee:
and the light shall shine upon thy ways"
Job 22:28
(4) FIND FOOD: The Bible tells us that John the Baptist lived on locust and wild honey. I don't know what significance the locust may have, but honey is symbolic of the Word**. It's the Word of God (written and spoken) that will sustain us in the wilderness. I'm so thankful for the Word!
"Man cannot live by bread alone,
but by every word that proceeds
from the mouth of God"
Matthew 4:4
I hope this Wilderness Survival blog was helpful to someone.
For me, the big challenges lie in:
(1) being thankful - I am a worshiper, but I can also be a moody, grumbler. Not good!
(2) praying humbly - I am a fervent prayer, but often I want my own way. Is that pride?
(3) making bold decrees - I have a lot to learn. I need to follow Jesus' example of saying only what He heard the Father say (John12:49).
(4) food - I am a person who values the Word (written & spoken). While this is probably my strong point, I need to mature in being more sensitive to the Holy Spirit as I read and study.
I'm thankful that "He who began a good work in me will complete it in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 1:6). I trust Him to escort me out of all wilderness seasons into His plans in His perfect timing. I just have to keep walking with Him. He is ever faithful and able to do far more than I could ask or think according to His power working within me!!!! WOW! I hope you're encouraged. I am.
* To read about the Israelites in the wilderness go to
**To read about honey go to: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+19%3A7-11&version=NIV
*******************************
To visit Debbie's website, go to https://www.debbiewelty-blog.com
To read more of Debbie's blogs, go to https://www.debbiewelty-blog.com/blog
Instagram: mountaintop-manna
Facebook: Mountaintop Manna with Debbie Welty
Comments