If you’ve ever felt like you’re stuck in the same cycle, experiencing the same problems month after month or year after year, you may be walking through what’s known as a wilderness season. A wilderness season is a time when you feel distant from your purpose, facing challenges and obstacles that seem insurmountable. In these moments, it may seem like you are wandering aimlessly, and no matter how hard you try to move forward, something is holding you back.
If this resonates with you, it’s possible there’s something inside you that still needs to be dealt with—something preventing you from connecting with God in the way you need to in order to break free. You may be clinging to things, habits, or mindsets that are prolonging your stay in the wilderness. But here’s the good news: you can overcome this season by identifying what is keeping you stuck and realigning your heart with God’s plan.
Let’s dive deeper into what a wilderness season looks like, why it happens, and how you can move forward with renewed faith and purpose.
Understanding the Wilderness Season
To better understand this concept, think about the journey of the children of Israel. After being freed from slavery in Egypt, they found themselves in the wilderness, a period that should have lasted just 11 days, but instead took 40 years. Why? Because they kept falling into the same destructive patterns—complaining, worshiping idols, and refusing to let go of things God was trying to remove from their lives. This resistance delayed their progress, causing them to remain in a cycle of frustration and stagnation.Similarly, you may find yourself in a wilderness season, where you feel as though you’re walking in circles, unable to move forward in your spiritual, personal, or professional life. It can be incredibly frustrating, but the wilderness isn’t a punishment—it’s a place of preparation. It’s where God shapes you, teaches you, and removes what doesn’t belong in your life so that you can step into the promises He has for you.
The key to overcoming this season is identifying the things you’re holding onto that are keeping you in the cycle. Whether it’s a habit, a mindset, a relationship, or even an attitude, these things are standing between you and your breakthrough.
Signs You’re in a Wilderness Season
Before we talk about breaking free from the wilderness, let’s look at some signs that you may be in this season of spiritual growth:- Feeling Stuck: No matter what you try, you can’t seem to make progress. It’s like you’re taking two steps forward and one step back.
- Repetitive Struggles: You find yourself dealing with the same issues over and over again—whether it’s anxiety, fear, doubt, or negative thinking.
- Distance from God: You may feel distant from God, like He’s not answering your prayers or that He’s silent during your most trying times.
- Lack of Peace: There’s a sense of unrest in your spirit. You know something is off, but you can’t quite put your finger on it.
- Challenges That Seem Unending: Life’s challenges feel like they keep piling up, and no matter how hard you try to overcome them, they don’t seem to go away.
What Is Holding You Back?
Now that you’ve identified that you may be in a wilderness season, the next step is to ask yourself: what am I holding on to that’s keeping me stuck?For the Israelites, it was their refusal to trust God fully, their complaints, and their idol worship that kept them wandering. For you, it may be something different, but equally significant.
Here are a few things that could be keeping you in a cycle of frustration:
Unforgiveness: Holding onto grudges or past hurts can create a barrier between you and God. He calls us to forgive, just as we’ve been forgiven.
Fear: Fear of failure, fear of the unknown, or even fear of success can paralyze you and prevent you from stepping into what God has for you.
Pride: Sometimes, our own pride can prevent us from seeing what needs to change. Pride can keep us from asking for help, admitting we’re wrong, or submitting fully to God’s will.
Disobedience: Are there areas in your life where you know God is calling you to make a change, but you’re resisting? Whether it’s a habit, relationship, or lifestyle choice, disobedience can keep you stuck in the wilderness.
Idolatry: Like the Israelites, are there things in your life that have become more important than God? This could be your career, relationships, material possessions, or even your own comfort.
Recognizing what is holding you back is the first step toward breaking free from the wilderness. It requires humility, introspection, and a willingness to let God shine a light on the areas of your life that need to change.
Pouring Out Your Heart to God
Once you’ve identified what’s keeping you in the cycle, it’s time to take action. The wilderness season is not meant to be permanent, but it requires you to fully surrender to God’s will and allow Him to do the necessary work in your heart.Here’s how you can begin the process of breaking free from the wilderness:
Pour Out Your Heart to God: Get alone with God and cry out to Him. Be honest about your struggles, your frustrations, and your fears. Ask Him to reveal anything in your heart that needs to be dealt with. This is not a one-time conversation, but an ongoing dialogue where you continually seek God’s guidance and strength.Repentance: Repentance is more than just saying “sorry”; it’s a turning away from the things that have been keeping you stuck. Whether it’s pride, unforgiveness, fear, or idolatry, repentance means acknowledging these things and asking God to help you change.
Surrender: Surrendering means fully trusting God’s plan for your life, even when it doesn’t make sense or feel comfortable. It’s letting go of control and allowing God to lead you through the wilderness, trusting that He knows the way out.
Obedience: When God shows you what needs to change, it’s important to follow through in obedience. Whether He’s asking you to forgive someone, let go of a toxic relationship, or step out in faith, obedience is key to moving forward.
Faith: In the wilderness, it’s easy to lose faith and focus on your circumstances. But God is calling you to trust Him, even when you can’t see the way out. Keep your eyes on Him, knowing that He is faithful and will lead you through this season.
Breaking Free: Walking into the Promised Land
The good news is that the wilderness season doesn’t last forever. Just like the Israelites eventually entered the Promised Land, you too will step into the blessings and promises God has for you once you’ve learned the lessons of the wilderness.Breaking free from the wilderness requires intentionality and a deep commitment to seeking God’s heart. Here are some practical steps you can take to move forward:
Daily Prayer and Reflection: Make it a priority to spend time with God each day. This is where He will speak to you, guide you, and reveal areas of your life that need to change.
Study the Word: The Bible is full of stories of people who walked through wilderness seasons and came out stronger on the other side. Study these stories and let them inspire you as you navigate your own journey.
Community and Accountability: Don’t go through this season alone. Surround yourself with people who can encourage you, hold you accountable, and pray for you as you seek to break free from the cycle.
Worship and Praise: Even in the wilderness, you can find reasons to praise God. Worship shifts your focus from your problems to God’s power and reminds you that He is bigger than any challenge you’re facing.
Trust God’s Timing: Sometimes, the wilderness season lasts longer than we’d like, but it’s important to trust God’s timing. He knows exactly what you need and when you’re ready to move forward. Be patient and keep your faith strong.
Conclusion: Embracing the Wilderness as a Season of Growth
Though the wilderness season can feel difficult and frustrating, it’s important to remember that it’s a time of growth, refinement, and preparation. God is using this season to mold you into the person He has called you to be, and to prepare you for the blessings that lie ahead.Don’t be discouraged if you find yourself in the wilderness. Instead, use this time to pour your heart out to God, ask Him to reveal what’s keeping you stuck, and commit to walking in obedience and faith. Remember, the wilderness is not your final destination—it’s a part of your journey, and God is walking with you every step of the way.
Cry out to God, surrender to His will, and trust that He is faithful to bring you into the Promised Land, just as He did with the Israelites. Your breakthrough is coming, and the wilderness will soon be a thing of the past. Stay the course, keep your eyes on God, and get ready to step into the fullness of His promises for your life.
