“For everything there is a season and a time to every purpose under the heaven”
______________________________________________
As spoken in Ecclesiastes by Soloman, son of King David.
However, some seasons are more challenging than others. When these challenging times creep up on us, we know we have to take action; perhaps the challenges are with others or within yourself. Taking action can be hard, we may get paralyzed, procrastinate, or distracting yourself in unhelpful ways. We may even notice that the life we have could be better, we could engage more with others, or have more experiences where our flexibility helps us to endure and overcome with ease.
Have courage to make decisions to meet the demands of reality in your life.
This can be difficult because we can and do get off track. Often on our journey we find ourself in the wilderness in one or more areas of our life.
What do you think of when you think of the wilderness?
Feeling lost… In Crisis… Without hope… Tired… Overwhelmed…Loneliness…. Alone… Misunderstood…. Conflicted… Hard Times… Times Of Loss…. Trauma….. Change….. Pain without ceasing…. Indecisiveness?
Perhaps the wilderness for you is a brief stint and you are able to refresh quickly and adjust. But, when the wilderness is experienced as long, drawn out, forbidding, or drudgery, then having someone to turn to or share with can be what helps you from staying stagnant or defeated. Talking with a therapist who you connect with can be beneficial. Someone who understands how the patterns in your life have contributed to your ability to feel free from pain and suffering can be enormously valuable.
I believe in the importance of rituals, rites of passage, ceremonies and establishing healthy patterns that can and will link you to God. It used to be common for people to engage in some widespread rituals, such as baptism, communion, marriage, Shiva and funerals, but there are others that can be fulfilling as well.
By seeking to find ways to observe a passage of time, you can become more aware of how God's voice is in and around you. This will enable you to recognize the signs and symbols to help you when you find yourself adrift into the wilderness of your life. If you could see the wilderness not just a barren, difficult place, but also a place where God meets with you then you will look for Him there and he will reveal to you the mysteries of your heart. Jer. 33:3.The wilderness is often talked about in the bible as a place where significant events occurred; the Exodus, the Burning Bush, the Ten Commandments, the place in waiting for the land of milk and honey, etc. It may be that on your journey through the wilderness is where you will crossover and connect with Him finding hope, peace and purpose. It may be where you encounter a new path, a new habit, a new mindset, a new custom. That A'ha.
_____________________________________
See God in the wilderness?
______________________________________________________
Counseling can help you to crossover. When one has the courage to invite another person into their wilderness experience to explore the terrain through motivational questioning, encouragement, experiencing support, and being seen a person gains courage to accept their past painful memories, to embrace their boldness and bravery in the face of fear, to propel forward to what next with a sound mind. Tim1:7 In this season, notice your wilderness moments and ask yourself:
1. What are the patterns I am seeing in my life? What distracts me?
2. How does my past affect my present? What triggers me?
3. What can I learn from these patterns? What actions am I taking?
4. How can I stay present in the moment now, seeing, hearing, feeling, tasting, smelling, and loving? What are my vulnerabilities that keep me stuck?
5. Are there rituals that will help me crossover this wilderness? What skills can I do daily, weekly, monthly in my life to be peaceful and joyful?
