16 Jan God, Where are You?
Can we start talking more about those times when we feel disconnected from God? Seriously, I have been feeling so darn lost and alone lately – like I am some sort of bad Christian, because I don’t always experience the incredible sense of understanding that so many of my peers talk about when drawing closer to God. Some days, I read my Bible and none of it resonates, like the words are just words, with no significant impact or deeper meaning. Of course, there are days where I feel confident, courageous, and empowered by God’s purpose for me, but what about those days when I don’t? What about those days when I feel like giving up, because His promise just seems to far?
In his book, God, Where Are You? best-selling author John Bevere equips you with key biblical insights and profound stories that will help you navigate your dry or difficult seasons and step into all that God has for you.
Do you feel lost in a difficult season, wondering, “GOD, WHERE ARE YOU?!”
Perhaps you heard God speak, but now He seems silent. Maybe you moved forward in faith, but now His presence is nowhere to be found. Welcome to the wilderness―the place between receiving a promise from God and seeing it come to pass.
But here’s the good news―this is no purposeless wasteland. God uses the wilderness to prepare and equip you for your destiny―that is, if you navigate it correctly. Contrary to what many may think, getting through this season isn’t just a matter of waiting on God. You have a part to play in navigating through it. A big one. And if you don’t want to waste time wandering in circles, it’s important to learn what that is.
I have shared before how I can be… erm… impatient. And that accepting God’s timing can be somewhat challenging, especially when I have goals and ambitions waiting on His big plans. More often than not, I grow frustrated, waiting around for my proverbial flowers to bloom and start questioning whether it’s for me, or worse, I try take things into my own hands. History has taught me that God’s timing is perfect, so why do I still find myself feeling lost and alone while trying to make my way through the “wilderness”? I think what is more concerning is that I feel weighed down by this season of quiet, because when things don’t go at the pace that I would like then great sadness, disappointment, loneliness or feeling like a failure soon follow.
God, Where Are You? is an impactful read that I believe every Christian needs to read at least once (but for someone like me, it’s going to be a book that I revisit). It validates and affirms that it’s normal to go through seasons – dry, difficult, lonely and challenging seasons – where God is quiet or feels distant, but more than that, it equips you with all you need to know to survive the wilderness supported by biblical insight and stories that help you to navigate this season.
Quite early on in the book, John establishes that just because you’re being met by a season in the wilderness, does not mean that you have messed up or displeased God. We grow so used to God’s goodness, that we start expecting it to always be that good, so suddenly when things seem to shift and we start panicking because something has changed. He encourages us to get perspective and gain an understanding of the season that we’re in, by looking for signs and signals before making any sudden moves.
I have mentioned quite a few times in this post how my season in the wilderness can seem especially lonely, but John highlights that understanding that God will never leave nor forsake you (Hebrews 13:5) is key.. He goes on to explain the two manifestations of God’s presence and what to do when you feel spiritually hungry in the wilderness, something I have started applying.
Some of his other Wilderness Survival Tips include:
- Resist taking matters into your own hands, and rather focus on the Word of God
- Clarify your agenda by doing recon on whether your God-given dream is taking a higher priority than living in God’s presence.
- Understand that the wilderness is temporary so live in a tent, don’t build a house
- Don’t give in to temptation, lust after evil things, pursue idols, tempt the Lord or complain
- Choose your friends carefully
- Take good notes and learn from your wilderness stay, as they are times of growth
God, Where Are You? is an excellent read and makes for a wonderful gift, especially for a friend or loved one who is making their way through a spiritual desert. I love that John went on to include discussion questions for each chapter which are great prompts for journaling or Bible Study groups. I highly recommend checking this book out and grabbing your own copy soon!
You can purchase your copy of Live in Grace, Walk in Love from leading book stores including CUM Books.
I’m a coffee-wielding mood reader and romance book collector who may or may not have a slight addiction to buying books. I read a variety of sub-genres within romance, including rom-coms, dark romance, and fantasy. I love sharing my thoughts on books, whether it’s through book reviews, quotes, or recommendations inspired by my current reads. Through my romance book blog, Literary Inspired, I aim to provide in-depth book reviews, curated reading recommendations, and exclusive author promotions. I’m passionate about supporting indie authors and sharing my latest book discoveries with others. When I’m not reading, you can find me cheering on my favorite football team and F1 drivers, crafting, baking with my kids or playing with my pets.
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