When God Leads You Through the Wilderness: Finding Purpose in the Pain

Apr 13

When the Wilderness Feels Endless

"The whole commandment that I command you today you shall be careful to do, that you may live and multiply, and go in and possess the land that the LORD swore to give to your fathers. And you shall remember the whole way that the LORD your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness, that He might humble you, testing you to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not. And He humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that He might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD."
— Deuteronomy 8:1–3 (ESV)

We’ve all heard the phrase, “The struggle is real.” And if you’ve been following Jesus for any length of time, you know just how real that struggle can feel—especially in the wilderness seasons.

But if you haven’t yet experienced one, rest assured—it’s only a matter of time. Wilderness moments are part of life for those walking with Jesus. They are not evidence of abandonment but rather invitations to deeper trust.

Why Wilderness Seasons Matter

I want to encourage you to lean in, rather than wish your wilderness away.

When I think of the Israelites wandering the desert, I’m reminded that their journey wasn’t pointless—even though it felt that way to them. Yes, they were physically wandering, but spiritually, they were being tested, refined, and taught to rely on God.

Their constant complaining showed where their hearts had turned: inward and downward instead of outward and upward. They missed the miracles. They missed the manna.

Personal Wilderness Reflections

I, too, have walked through many wilderness seasons.
Some have felt painfully long. Others have stripped me of comfort, control, and clarity. And like the Israelites, I’ve let hardship cloud the hope and missed the ways God was at work in me and through me.

But here’s what I’ve learned:

What feels painful is often divinely purposeful.

Wilderness seasons are not wasted seasons. They are sacred ground where God reveals what we cannot see on the mountaintop. And sometimes, we need to be brought low to grow deep.

Lilies Grow in the Valley

There’s a reason lilies don’t bloom on mountaintops.
They bloom in the valley. In the low places. In the places where we’re most aware of our need for God.

Friend, take heart. God is pruning His beautiful, handpicked lily—you—so that you may blossom into a vessel of beauty, depth, and unwavering faith. This is not the end of your story. It’s the unfolding of what God has already written in love.

Scriptures to Reflect On in the Wilderness

Exodus 13:21 – God leads His people with a cloud by day and fire by night. He never leaves.
Mark 1:12–13 – Even Jesus was led into the wilderness—and there, He stood firm.
Romans 5:3–5 – Suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces hope.

Final Encouragement

If you find yourself in the valley today, may you remember:

You're not being punished—you're being prepared.
You're not forgotten—you're being formed.
You're not wandering aimlessly—you're walking through a path your Father already designed for your good and His glory.

Let the wilderness make you bloom.