Wilderness and desert

OVERWHELM and EMPTINESS: Two extremes that we all face.

OVERWHELM:

What area of your life seems totally crazy and overwhelming right now? ⁣

Maybe housework, your calling, school work, teaching loved ones, scripture study, keeping up with schedules, other people’s problems, work…⁣

EMPTINESS:

And then what is one area of your life that seems really empty right now? ⁣

Maybe spiritual nourishment, physical excercise, gratitude, family time, organization, social life…⁣

It’s these two opposite extremes that are pretty prevalent in mortality for everyone. ⁣

We’ve all got areas that are like a crazy wilderness, and other areas that are like a dry desert.⁣

I love that the Lord promises us that He will help us in BOTH of these areas:⁣

“For the Lord shall comfort Zion… he will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the Lord; joy and gladness shall be found therein”. (Isaiah 51:3) ⁣

We can turn our hearts and our desires over to Jesus.⁣

And then He can help us find the beauty within the overwhelming wildernesses we have to face. ⁣

He turns that overwhelming, exhausting overgrowth into an Eden, with purpose and love in every flower and vine. ⁣

He’s helped me find purpose in finishing that last load of laundry, or find fulfillment in saying “no” to that extra commitment. ⁣

And He can help us build up a flourishing garden in places where there were deserts. ⁣

He gives some of His everlasting water to the dry ground to bring new energy and life. ⁣

He’s helped me to see clear paths forward for how to study general conference talks more often, or given me promptings on how to find new activities to start.⁣

So what’s your wilderness right now?⁣

Where is your desert?⁣

How has the Lord helped you in the past to turn both of them into beautiful gardens, and how might He be able to help you right now?

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black