photo by Moyan_Brenn_be_back_on_Jan_20th
An idea comes.
A promise is spoken.
A new opportunity comes over the horizon.
“Yes,” we say, “This is what I’ve been waiting for! Let’s go.” So we set out on our journey with high hopes. Then as the miles go on we begin to feel fear nipping at our heels. We start to question…
Is this the way I should be going?
Why is this turning out differently than I expected?
What if I didn’t hear God right after all?
With every question the fear gets a bit louder and our confidence a bit lower. If that’s you today, let me lean in and whisper a truth that you must know: There’s always a desert before the dream.
The Israelites set out for a God-sized dream too. You know how long they were supposed to spend in the desert?
11 days.
That’s how long the journey usually takes.
But they let fear win and as a result ended up wandering for forty years.
Here’s what we can learn from their experience: The desert is not the danger.
The biggest threat is surrendering to fear and letting go of faith.
So if you find yourself in a desert right now then hold tight to what you know is true and press on, friend. The Promised Land is closer than you think.
And you have everything you need for the journey.
p.s. Last week our “do what you can” plan step for your God-sized dream was to face a fear and express the truth that’s bigger than that fear. Kristen Strong will be sharing about her desert experience here tomorrow and you’ll be able to link up your posts as well as share in the comments too.
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Kristen, you have written such profound wisdom and truth in a way that is so easy for me to understand and find encouragement in.
Trust seems the simplest, yet the hardest thing of all. In my time in the desert, I’ve found it’s where the I learn of the faithfulness of God, and where I have learned to trust. Though the process is far from easy, it’s in the process we are refined, and re-shaped into His image. I’m still very much in the process. 🙂
I woke this morning not feeling well & filled with fear. The desert is threatening to consume me. My God sized dream seems impossible & then I read this & it so spoke to me & comforted & encouraged me. Thank you so much. God bless.
Thanks so much for this piece. Sometimes its difficult to remember that there is a desert before the dream. Having had a series of bad relationships, still single and almost clocking 40; sometimes the desert of loneliness seems overwhelming but i realize that it is easier to bear when i take a deep breath and pray. Makes a lot of difference to take our deserts to the Lord in prayer.
I totally agree that fear keeps us in the desert longer than God intends for us to be there. May I add something to the desert? Besides fear, it’s the weariness of walking through the dust storm that keeps us there longer. It’s tiresome to keep going. Whether it’s because of lack of support, circumstances surrounding you, fear, setbacks, etc., I get tired of trudging along feeling like I’m getting nowhere. And sometimes, I want to plop down in the sand and give it up. It doesn’t last long, but it’s there, and it’s discouraging.
So, where’s the encouragement? God supplied the Israelites with all they needed in the desert, and He will do so with us too. Their clothes and sandals never wore out. They had food and water. He cared for them. And He cares for us too. On those days I’ve plopped down in the sand, I need to rest and let God take care of me. If I remember that, then I know I’m not giving up, I’m resting a day so I can start trudging again tomorrow.
This is great Laura. Thank you so much for sharing. I am often tired/weary in the parenting part of my life. I, too, have wanted to give up. Praise God, He won’t let me. I do move slowly sometimes, but very often get encouragement from one source or another. You are absolutely right that God will supply all our needs and cares for us. He loves us greatly and deeply. “I’m resting a day so i can start trudging again tomorrow.” 😀 God bless you richly!
I really needed this today. We had a major water leak this weekend causing significant damage to our home. I was in tears this morning when I read this. Thank you Holley!
Just what I needed today! A reminder that the desert doesn’t last forever and that even while we are there, God will provide the manna until we put our fears aside and trudge on. Thank you for being you and sharing His love through you!! Have a blessed day!
I had “God Sized Dreams” in my 20’s, 30’s, and even 50’s but not now. I think they are better for the young. Oh I have “nigntmares” but God can handle those too. I do want to encourage those with dreams, keep at it. LindaA
LindaA,
I am also a middle age woman, and I have many dreams that have not yet “happened”..and life does feel like a desert at times. But I want to encourage YOU, that GOD has not pulled the plug on your dreams, He wants you to know you are HIS BELOVED, the APPLE OF HIS EYE, and the DELIGHT OF HIS HEART (Zeph 3:17). Learn to rest in HIS love for you again, and ask HIM to renew your heart…HE HAS AN ADVENTURE FOR YOU, to bring HIM GLORY and to bring YOU JOY!!!
I feel like the Israelites…11 days to 40 years. I have always loved to create but was never encouraged to do something like that ‘for real’ and now I find myself at nearly 54 years old just starting out to try a God-sized dream of creating.
You spoke directly to my heart this morning. Thank you for such a thought provoking post. Looking forward to reading Kristin’s post.
Wow! “Here’s what we can learn from their experience: The desert is not the danger. The biggest threat is surrendering to fear and letting go of faith. So if you find yourself in a desert right now then hold tight to what you know is true and press on, friend.” What profound words. May God help us hold tightly to the truth and press on. May He help us be strong in our inner men and not surrender to fear and not let go of faith. Praise God for His Holy Spirit Who comes along side us against our flesh, the world, and the enemy. Glory!
“What if I didn’t hear God right after all?”
This is what I e asked myself all weekend. I had a dream crushed. Andy Stanley says that we are most teachable at the times when we are most vulnerable. I’m feeling pretty vulnerable right now so maybe there’s a lesson coming. Thanks for being a virtual shoulder for me to cry on and a place of great encouragement.
I am the one wandering the desert for an endless time starry-eyed and eager for love and adventure. Along the way i lost loved ones, my sense of self through being over-devoted to two spunky sons and a workahollic husband, and an indifferent family. Strangeness,the surreal, and confusion stepped in and I suddenly was not sure where we were all going. I sensed my husband moving in new self centered directions and communication failing more and more. My sons were angry at me for not holding the dream of family bliss together. I lost myself, my dignity, my direction. I had faith but the fear burst in when those I loved said they had no time for my worries. I was too overwhelmed to go it alone but I had no choice. The journey became a sandstorm, a battle, a place where faith left me weeping, cold, and angry and very alone. Why did God allow friends and family to let me go it alone after I asked for help? Why did I suffer mockery, humiliation, and abuse? I did not understand things happeniing. What didn’t I hear you say God?Where is the love I was promised?
EXACTLY what I need to hear! Holley, I am so thankful that you allow God to speak through you. I have been putting off something for years (15 to be exact) that I know God wants me to do which is to start my own business. I let fear dominate my life & keep me from following God’s plan. I blame it on many things like time, money, and even my weight (not willing to put myself out there because I don’t feel good about myself). I really needed to hear this today & am grateful.
Your post reminded me that God gives us messages through others in many ways. As I woke this morning, I felt just like someone who has been lost in the desert–lots of burdens to carry. This message came a great time — thank you!
I so needed this today, I’m moving forward nervous but not frightened, I know My God has me in the palm of His Hand….and I will not fear. Am sad that my marriage is coming to an end, but God knows all the circumstances and he will get me through this….Thanks so much for posting this, I needed it 🙂
Holley,
Once again thank you for letting God use you to touch our hearts. I haven’t been wandering in the desert (I know that feeling too), I feel my feet have just touched the sand. Thank you for that much needed encouragement to journey on. It means so much. Thank you.
~R
It feels like I have been in a desert lately and the more I seek Him the more thirsty I have become. The trials and tribulations of late have made my head spin and have made me want to throw in the towel so many times. But I am reminded in His Word “For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, do not fear; I will help you. Isaiah 41:13
Another day to seek Him in prayer and with a humble heart giving thanks always for what He is doing and continues to do in my life and to remember that His promises are true!
I am truly in a Desert. But after reading this I am going to cast my fears and go for it. I have to put my faith in God.
Thanks for this!
This message spoke loud and clear to me this afternoon.
My sister has been in a desert for several years after the sudden death of her wonderful husband. She has weathered through it and in that long dry spell, she has had many moments that has left her full of fear and doubting herself and knowing all the while, her faith is greater than her fear. She has had a rough time of the past sixteen years and this past summer lost her aunt that was her last mother figure she depended on.
She weatherd the storm, stood tall in her faith, and come full circle to now being re-employed with a great job and just recently meeting a new friend. She is walking on cloud nine and life is good………….so through it all, she gives each of us hope that there is light at the end of the tunnel and she has done it with grace. God bless her as she has been an example for all of us in our family and many friends around her. She is the strongest person, I know…..and I will quote her from something she said to me several weeks ago,….’I want to grow up and be just like you’. God bless you, T, if you are reading this. Love you…..
I feel I am in that desert at times. I lost a job of almost 11 years, due to a lay off last year in November, a week before Thanksgiving. My husband has lost his job three years ago and has not been able to find a job. I have two children, and a lot of bills to pay, unemployment is not enough for me, and my severance pay is almost gone. I feel at times, depressed, worried but I have to stay strong to keep my family going.
I stay connected with God at all times, I pray and simply ask to keep me strong and continue my journey. I know God has a plan for me, because he will not put in the place where I am now for no reason. I am just waiting and doing what I need to do on my side, and let God take care of the rest.
Thank you for your words of encouragement you have no idea how much this helps. This article hit me deep in my heart, and I know, when the time is right,
I will find the right job, where I will be happy and a better than that I had before.
Thank you again and God continue blessing you and inspiring you.
Good words. True words.
My 40 years in the desert ended up being 19, but I was painfully aware of them. I knew it was a teaching place, but was never sure if it was a lesson for me, or for the others that inhabited the land. I think it changed all of us.
Just today, reading your words, do I realize that FEAR played a part! My biggest fear? AFRAID I’D NEVER BE ALLOWED TO LEAVE. Afraid my husband would “settle” for staying there.
Thanks for sharing Holley!! I’m going to share a good blog post tonight to continue on this topic…for tomorrow’s link up!
You seem to be able to say what exactly is going on in my mind and heart concerning my dream and the pressures I face each day because of it .
Thanks alot ,Holley ,for those words of encouragement
Love,
Priya
sigh…I really needed this today…Thank you 🙂
Thanks God, it is good to be reminded every now and then to press on though the journey is vague. Thanks God for you Holley:)
Thanks, Holley. Your devotionals are right on it for me. They are helping to keep me out of a dark place of depression and crying.
Keep ’em coming.
I need every one of them.
Thank you Holley!
I love your blog posts. They are encouraging. This desert place can be difficult but God always sees us through.
Good day! I could have sworn I’ve visited your
blog before but after going through a few of the articles I realized it’s new to me.
Anyhow, I’m certainly delighted I came across it and I’ll be bookmarking it and checking back
often!