God is preparing you. He is with you in this desert place. He is waiting with you as you enter a new season.

The Lord is on my side; I will not fear.  Psalm 118:6 (NKJV)

Coming out of the desert (or valley or dark place or whatever metaphor you’d like to use), is a humbling place. I think of Moses in the desert and how he learned so many lessons in that time. No matter why you are in the place you are, God is preparing a way. Joseph spent so much of his time in prison prepping for what God had next for him. Moses spent what we would consider half our lives in a desert preparing for the next generation. Abraham and Sarah waited for decades for a child they thought would never be born.

It’s in the waiting that God speaks to us, refines us, and equips us.

If we’re not careful, we can get too comfortable set apart in this valley. While it is a time to learn, it can also be scary to walk away when God is beckoning you out of this season. Maybe in this desert season, you have healed your wounds, learned new coping mechanisms, and connected with healthy people. These are all good things, but now it’s time to walk away.

Walk away from the isolation of the desert. Walk away from a place that is not hospitable for long term growth. It’s not a place to stay permanently. It’s good to be able to find a quiet place to heal and allow God to pour into us during that season. Once we are strong enough, we can confidently and slowly walk toward freedom. Walk toward the next step in this healing journey.

God has equipped you in this time of learning. He might have healed you from the hurts of what landed you here. He has helped you let go of the fears. You are no longer in survival mode. You are standing firm on God’s Word and ready to walk away, hopeful to face whatever is next.

[This is a follow up to “In the Desert”]