Direction, Please!

After a busy writing, publishing, and marketing season, I found myself oppressed with a bewildering lack of direction. I’d recently contributed a devotional (regarding facing fear and the imposter syndrome) to a writers’ ebook, and here I was, feeling attacked. Not particularly fearful; just unsure and confused about my next writing steps.  

It took me several days to work through the odd, dry, barren feelings. As I faced other life challenges, the thought came that perhaps the purpose for this annoying discomfort was actually the Potter’s hands reshaping me. I smiled and laughed out loud.  “Elementary, my dear Watson. I just need God’s light on my path.” 

Those dry, barren places truly are a wilderness. No wonder be-wildered is the accompanying feeling when such times appear unexpectedly…like a tiny taste of God’s people wandering in the desert for forty years. Compress that down to forty days or forty hours, and it’s still a trial. 

How did I face the foe and navigate forward? Simply by honestly confessing my confusion to God and asking Him to help me. In my floundering, He mercifully gave me the words He knew I needed:

“Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning,
    for I am trusting you.
Show me where to walk,
    for I give myself to you.”

— Psalm 143:8 NLT. 

That verse has become precious to me. When I read it, I can breathe again. It continues to perfectly express my needs. As Christ’s follower, I depend on His direction. 

Reading John Eldredge’s book, The Utter Relief of Holiness: How God’s Goodness Frees Us from Everything that Plagues Us, also brought consolation. How timely that I “found” it one day as I perused my bookshelf. God had already placed it in my path. A book not yet opened…waiting for the right time to be read.

No matter the wilderness situation you may be experiencing, please remember God is right there with you. He says, “Be still and know that I am God.” (See Psalms 46:10.)

Be still. The opposite of our inherent human reactions of fight or flight, numbing our pain by some worldly way, or giving up in despair. 

Praise God, we are His children. We are allowed to feel childlike in our emotional needs for the love and compassion of our Good Father. He delights in our running to Him. Relationship is His deep desire and specialty. We are never too old, too worn out, too annoying that He does not welcome us into His Presence. (We’re actually already there. He’s waiting for us to realize it and simply, honestly turn to Him.) 

Love / God is patient and kind. All the characteristics of Love listed in 1 Corinthians 13 are first found in Him. He is waiting to grow His goodness in us. 

Where have you experienced soul wilderness? How did you get through it? I’d like to hear how God has given you specific direction. 

Praise God from Whom all blessings flow! In Jesus’ name. Amen. 💞