If you are feeling alone, lost, in a desert or dry place, confused, frustrated, etc. don't just sit down. There's a saying that if you feel like you're going through hell... don't stop. You certainly don't want to stay in those places ... do you? I remember someone (?) saying that if you feel your prayers aren't being answered, then go back to the last time they were and what you were doing and believing. Was I listening? Was I acting on how I thought the Lord was leading me? Did I rest in Him?
I realize that being logical in the midst of these times is typically not our default response, but it can be. Wallowing accomplishes nothing. Obviously we do want to be out of these 'places'... or are they only moods (feelings)? Not discounting moods and their affects, but a place is more difficult to extract oneself from than a mood. Moods we always have control over... not always a place though.
Whether momentary or of longer duration, when you know you are lost, alone, confused, etc. STOP, take stock of your current reality AND how you think you got there. Granted you need to keep moving but if you are directionless, you may have discovered the source of your feelings.
Since the Lord has told us He will never leave us (Hebrews 13:5), unless you are implying or say that the Lord is lying, you aren't alone. Why do you think you are alone? Is it a touch of rebellion because you don't want to do what you believe you have been asked to do? [Not accusing, jest askin'.] If what we are feeling is alone, they I would argue that this is of our own doing. We can always turn to the Lord for help.
"Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give
you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle
and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”
(Matthew 11:28-29, NKJV)
"... and you will find rest for your souls." Perhaps this is the key. We may be feeling alone, lost, confused, in a desert and seeing no escape. However, if (when) we turn to the Lord for help... there He is. And He tells us that in Him we will find rest for our souls. The wonderful reality to this state is that is can be momentary, a passing through - not a residence.
Our souls (mind, will, emotions) can mislead us. That's why we are told to renew our minds (Romans 12:2), but it is we who have to do the renewing, refocusing. It has to be our choice and action - remember, we never are told to do something that we can't. It also doesn't say we have to do this alone - we can always ask for help. And when it comes to renewing our minds, it is always a process, because the need is always there. However, Philippians 4:8 does provide a method.
Yes, we all experience alone, lost, in a desert or dry place, confused, frustrated, etc. And No, we don't need to make this place permanent. Part of our renewing, in my opinion, is learning from past experiences - our what, how, why of being in this place. Never forget that you are a conqueror (Romans 8:37) and build yourself up on who you are, Whose you are, and what you are called:
"God knew what He was doing from the very beginning. He decided
from the outset to shape the lives of those who love Him along the
same lines as the life of His Son. The Son stands first in the line of
humanity He restored. We see the original and intended shape of
our lives there in Him. After God made that decision of what His
children should be like, He followed it up by calling people by name.
After He called them by name, He set them on a solid basis with
Himself. And then, after getting them established, He stayed with
them to the end, gloriously completing what He had begun. So,
what do you think? With God on our side like this, how can we lose?
If God didn’t hesitate to put everything on the line for us, embracing
our condition and exposing Himself to the worst by sending His own
Son, is there anything else He wouldn’t gladly and freely do for us?
And who would dare tangle with God by messing with one of God’s
chosen? Who would dare even to point a finger? The One who died
for us—who was raised to life for us!—is in the presence of God at
this very moment sticking up for us. Do you think anyone is going
to be able to drive a wedge between us and Christ’s love for us?
There is no way! Not trouble, not hard times, not hatred, not
hunger, not homelessness, not bullying threats, not backstabbing,
not even the worst sins listed in Scripture: ...
None of this fazes us because Jesus loves us. I’m absolutely
convinced that nothing—nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic,
today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable—absolutely
nothing can get between us and God’s love because of the way that
Jesus our Master has embraced us." (Romans 8:30-39, MSG)
That says it all.
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