Replies

Fourteen months, eh? Forgive the cliche', but don't feel like the Lone Ranger. I've had a decade of it, and I know Quix has been in a fiery furnace of his own for some time now, and you're right, it's physical, spiritual, emotional, and financial. It's frustration and loneliness. It's draining. Some days are okay, others not so okay, and once in a while I look up to the heavens and like Elijah, ask Him if we could just be done with this and I could be present with Him.

Welcome to The Wilderness. The Desert.

If it's any comfort, the Hall of Famers throughout scripture were put through this just prior to being used mightily of God. Joseph was around twenty years, two in actual prison with little hope of ever getting out, Moses forty, David spent ten years in caves dodging arrows from Saul, John the Baptist LIVED in the desert (must have been orphaned young), and St. Paul was secluded in Arabia two years (I think). That's just off the top of my head, no doubt there's more.

I go to a study group on Saturdays, and usually there's around a dozen or so of us on any given day. Everyone there has the appearance of being "normal" and functioning. A few months ago, the group leader started by saying that everyone should stand up before the group and share what God has been doing in our lives ("oh great..."). I expected this to be a parade of Pollyanna Christians doing cartwheels and singing "Praise God, life is grand" but after the third or fourth person, we all gradually became aware that each of us was struggling daily with some unshakable pain. We'd all been Christians for many years, yet through these trials, we were all having difficulty connecting with God. None of us, in the natural, saw any end in sight, yet all professed confidence in God's faithfulness and continue to look for Him to release us, based on His word.

Actually, the only one NOT going through trial was one woman who's 82 years old. What does THAT tell you?

My point is that this Wilderness experience, at this time in history, seems to be universal. A common denominator even, amoung those who love Christ. But it's "under the radar," as we're all doing our best to look normal and go on as best we can so we can learn what we need to so we can get on with things.

It seems to be pointing to good things. It's been prophesied to be over soon.

**and you're right, it's physical, spiritual, emotional, and financial.**

Well, physically it has not been bad (although dealing with the rest of it can be fatiguing at times and I would rather feel more energetic and such) but frustrating is apt. Up until this began, I was making good $$ and getting better - steaming right along etc...I would have understood/accepted this a little more (maybe) as disciplining if I had been hogging God's glory and giving Him no gratitude, or cheating clients left and right, ignoring obligations or otherwise running totally off the rails somehow...but I really have not seen where such was the case, so it has been tough to swallow...I'm sitting here saying,"Uh Lord, I really have to meet my bills, and I need to do this and this and this...sigh!

**If it's any comfort, the Hall of Famers throughout scripture were put through this just prior to being used mightily of God.**

Yeah, but - I don't want to be a "Hall of Famer"...Who needs the headaches. Just gimme that "regular guy" stuff: house and car, picnics, hikes, hunting and fishing, kind of "happy go-getter" thing.

yeah, I know - don't even say it: "His plans" are not necessarily the same for me as mine would be. Silly me though, I look at things in such practical terms. By now, PollyAnna is dead, buried, and rotting away...

Oh, don't get me wrong, I certainly do believe He is Lord over all of it and has the sovereign power to make changes; I'm just way past ready for some tangible reversals to occur. I was born with a lot more patience than most people seem to acquire in a lifetime, yet circumstances seem to have directed that I wait and absorb and be taught even more.

I'm all clear on the principle of good things being worth the wait, but it would be really nice for the waiting thing to just be done! I have had enough of it for two lifetimes, honestly! If I haven't said "Uncle" already (several times I recall) I'll gladly say it again -"UNCLE!"

Or perhaps more appropriately, "MERCY!"

I don't know what to say about the 82 year old lady - she probably has more "eternal perspective" than I do, however!

I think along the lines of what you mention re: Elijah. Being done with it and present with Him and my brothers and sisters in the heavenlies would be sweet, but I would really like to not have loose ends anywhere, and feel like I'd given a proper account of myself before exiting the stage!

**It seems to be pointing to good things. It's been prophesied to be over soon.**

Hmmm, I can only continue to hope...and wait for "it" {dry humor}...pray that "it" applies to me (along with the apparently many others) and be on watch for those "good things".

Financial drought - bad. Prosperity - good

It cannot end soon enough. Ten minutes ago. Three weeks ago. Two months. This coming Monday. (whine, whine...)

Prayers up for each of you.

A.A.C.