Why do we go through ‘wilderness experiences’?

I have been thinking about this for some time, it struck me that we go through the ‘wilderness experience’ to actually humble us before the Lord God.  We have become so self-centred and not concerned at what God can do for us that we forget about Him and do our own thing.  Also, you may have come to repent of your sins and now the testing starts, you don’t understand the difficulties that come to you.

Now the test starts, your car breaks down, after you had it at the garage for a service and repairs.  They have to tow you into the garage and the news come that the ‘gearbox’ is broken.  You just paid about ex amount for the repairs a week ago.  You just get your mind around that ‘gearbox’ being broken and the wife’s car’s right hand side window collapses and falls in, another ex-amount for this to be repaired.  Oh and of course the ‘electricity bill’ this comes too and in fact it was delayed and you forgot to keep some cash aside to pay this account which now amounts to another ex-amount.  Not forgetting the other problems you are experiencing.  Your new wife and children aren’t getting on as well as you imagined and there is constant bickering at home.  She is unhappy with her circumstances and the kids hate her for being such a ‘pain’.  She likes everything to be in order and the house to look clean and no papers lying on the floor.  Dishes washed and dried and packed away.  What’s the fuss about, the kids want to know and she is having ten heart attacks over this mess.

Still you just get your head around this and your mind is spinning for solutions – you just don’t know what is going to happen next.  You find another problem lurking around the corner.  My goodness when will all of this stop?  It is just the beginning of the ‘wilderness experience’.  You need to stop, sit down and recalculate your position.  What?!  You know your position, yes, I know you do.  So this is my suggestion to you.

Humble yourself before the Lord Jesus Christ, bring your problems to Him in prayer, tell Him of what you are going through and ask Him to help you.  I didn’t know which way to turn and I found myself in constant tears, I couldn’t understand the pressure that was being put on me and my family.  Then after many years I realised.  Stop, pray about your problem but most importantly, draw near to the Lord.  Start praising the Lord for the Good things in your life.  Proverbs 3: 33 The Lord’s curse is on the house of the wicked, but he blesses the home of the righteous.  

Now you want to know am I cursed?  No, I don’t believe that I am cursed, I believe I am righteous and I have missed the mark and God has sent all these testing’s to draw me closer to Him.  

The Lord is Almighty and He knows my beginning and my end, yes I have made mistakes and yes I repented but the fact of the matter is, I sowed that seed and now have to reap the fruits of the seed.  I have realised my problems and I can only call out to my Lord and Saviour Lord Jesus Christ, please hear me calling I am guilty of sin and I am sorry for not being obedient to You.  Help me to get back on track and change me according to Your word.  I love You Lord Jesus with all my heart, body and soul.  I repent of my sin and ask You Lord help me through me difficult times, give me peace in my heart and knowledge that you are in control.  Amen

How do I fulfil the needs of the people around me?

Is it by my housekeeping and cooking and making our house into a home?  Is it by looking after the children?  Checking homework, making sure they know what to do next?  Is it by listening to all the long stories and laughing at the silly mistakes they make?  Is it by reading the Bible to them and asking them key questions?

I actually do not know.  I want to make a difference in the lives of each of the people I meet and I so want to be able to know that I was able to fulfil their needs at that time.

I have been drawing closer to the Lord God in humble prayer, I wait to see how the Lord God is going to renew my mind and change my way of life.  I want to be able to serve people and my family without complaining and nagging.  I so want to be a more serving person, someone that you are able to rely on and know that I will be there no matter what.  Do I have the strength and the ability to do my job?  Am I able to make a difference in the lives of my family and friends?  

I can only dedicate my life back into the hands of my Lord Jesus Christ and pray for wisdom, understanding and the will to do as I am asked by God.