Does Your Soul Feel Parched?

He turned the desert into pools of water
and the parched ground into flowing springs.

Psalm 107:35

THOUGHTS ~

Dry, dusty desert experiences seem to be felt by all Christians at one time or another. When in one of these patches over a decade ago, I felt far away from the Lord, hopeless and my joy was totally limp. I wondered why and couldn’t figure it out. I just knew I felt a great distance from the Lord. Of course, I knew God didn’t move; I did. I took a few steps away from Him. And the few steps became greater distances until I found myself in a lonely desert experience.

Usually the reason we feel distance is that the enemy of God, the enemy of our soul, has pulled us ever so slightly away: enticing us to take our eyes off of the Lord and onto life’s various details. The enemy isn’t dramatic about it and it happens without you even knowing it has occurred . . . until all at once, you feel stranded in an island of dry sand, parched for God’s love and His word.

The great news is God will never leave you stranded in the dry desert. He doesn’t want us there anymore than we want to be there. He uses these times in our lives to remind us how important it is to put Him first. And in my case, my faith was made stronger because after experiencing life without a constant daily connection with the Lord, I knew I never wanted to return to that emptiness.

ACTIONS ~ 

When you find yourself in a desert experience:

First ask the Lord to help you find your way out of it. (He will).

Second, set aside time for meaningful alone time with Him. A few hours, a day, a weekend, whatever is feasible for you. Turn off the noise makers in your home, sit quietly in a place that you are comfortable, and open His Word to feed your dry soul. Try Psalm 40. (Bring Kleenex).

Third, be honest with God: tell Him you need His refreshment in your heart.

Fourth, begin setting aside a daily quiet time with the most important person in your life: Jesus. Read His word intently and listen for His whispers of love and encouragement.

I will promise you this: when you are spending time with God, just you and Him time, you will experience peace, contentment and joy that is indescribable. Just like the flowing spring in Psalm 107.

PRAYER ~ 

Thank You Father, for giving us a way out of the desert and into the lushness of fellowship with You.

Trusting in the Lord,

Becky

[Photo by Kelli Emmons, used with permission)