Thriving in the Wilderness
Finding God in Dry and Barren Seasons
“See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”
If you’ve ever walked through a season that felt dry, lonely, or barren… you know the wilderness. It’s the place where prayers feel unanswered, hope feels distant, and the journey feels endless. But here’s the good news: the wilderness is not the end. In fact, the Bible shows us it’s often the beginning of something new. God uses wilderness seasons to prepare us, purify us, and reveal Himself in powerful ways.
In this post, based on my recent episode of The Flourish Podcast, we’ll unpack what it means to thrive in the wilderness, how to shift our perspective in dry seasons, and what Scripture teaches us about God’s presence in our waiting.
What Is a Wilderness Season?
The wilderness is the dry place where you feel empty or overlooked. The silent place where God seems distant. The testing ground where faith is stretched. The barren place where what you’ve prayed for hasn’t come to pass. For me, that wilderness has often been tied to infertility; a season that feels cyclical, painful, and silent. Yours may look different: waiting for healing, walking through loss, or questioning your purpose. But the wilderness is a reality every believer will face.
The Bible is full of wilderness accounts that teach us how to endure and thrive:
Israel in the desert (Exodus): After their deliverance from Egypt, they spent 40 years wandering. The wilderness became their testing ground, their purifying place, and the space where God revealed His presence and law.
Jesus in the wilderness (Matthew 4): Before His public ministry, Jesus fasted and faced temptation. He relied on the Word of God to resist the enemy and came out empowered, “full of the Spirit” (Luke 4:14).
Both stories show us that the wilderness is not abandonment—it’s preparation. 3 Truths from Isaiah 43:19 God promises something profound in Isaiah 43:19.
Let’s break it down:
“I am doing a new thing.” God is not idle in the wilderness. Even when it feels silent, He is working.
“Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?” Wilderness seasons demand spiritual vision. We must ask: God, what am I not seeing? Show me the new life You’re growing in hidden places.
“I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” Our God specializes in the impossible. He creates provision where there is none, life where there is death, and streams of hope where all feels barren.
Just as God gave Israel daily manna, He provides exactly what we need.
Identity: Wilderness seasons strip away masks and reveal what we really believe.
Preparation: Delay is not denial. God is shaping you for what’s next.
Community: Israel wandered together. You don’t have to walk your wilderness alone.
Stop asking “Why me?” and start asking “God, what are You forming in me here?” Look for daily manna. God’s small but consistent provision. Guard your tongue. Replace venting with worship and Scripture. Lean into community. Don’t wander alone. Watch for the streams, those small glimpses of new life God is birthing.
Powerful Quotes to Carry with You:
“What feels like delay is often God developing dependence and shaping identity.”
“The wilderness isn’t punishment, it’s preparation.”
“Delay is not denial. God is still moving in the silence.”
“Your wilderness is not the end; it may be the beginning of something beautiful.”
“God makes streams in the desert and life in the places that feel like death.”
Scripture References:
Isaiah 43:19
Psalm 23:4
Exodus 16 (Manna in the wilderness)
Deuteronomy 31:6
Matthew 4:1–11
Luke 4:14
Nehemiah 8:10
John 15:5 2
Corinthians 12:9
Friend, the wilderness is not forever. God is doing something new, even when you can’t see it. He hasn’t abandoned you. He is preparing you, sustaining you, and writing a story that leads to streams in the desert. Hold on to this truth: the wilderness may feel like the end, but in God’s hands, it’s the beginning.
Want to dive deeper? Here’s how you can connect:
🎧 Listen to the full episode on The Flourish Podcast
📖 Download our free Bible study: Click the Bible Studies page under Resources
💌 Join The Flourish Table community on Facebook
📲 Follow along on Instagram, Facebook, Youtube & TikTok: @untilallflourish
