3 types of Desert (Not Dessert) Part 1

This is a continuation of my last post "In the desert?". I'd like to cover 3 types of deserts that we find ourselves in. I'm sure there are more and would love to hear your thoughts. But here's the first of three that I'm most aware of.

1. The "Go To Your Room" Desert. This is where Israel found themselves after refusing to move forward into the land that God had promised them. We find ourselves in this kind of desert not just from disobedience, but from bratty disobedience. Imagine a child receiving a gift on Christmas morning and refusing to open it because they think it will be too hard to unwrap. Especially if you've proven to them that you'll help them with the tape, the box, and even assemble the thing and put batteries in it; EVERY TIME. It's the last gift. It's the one you've been saving for them. They asked for it all year long. You moved heaven and earth to prepare it for them. You worked overtime for 6 months to pay for it. And they stomp their foot at you and say NO. You realize in this moment that they are not ready for the gift. They would probably abuse it and not appreciate it anyways.

As Christians, I believe God sends us into a desert experience sometimes because of our total lack of faith. We stand with our hands clinched towards heaven that our lives are too hard. We stand whining at God that we want more...that we want a car like our neighbor has...that we deserve a bigger house. With this type of attitude, we are actually accusing God of not knowing and providing what is BEST for us. So, the desert makes us take inventory. The desert makes us realize just how good we had it. It makes us appreciate simplicity. The desert causes THIRST. We find ourselves completely at the MERCY of God in order to just survive. Our bratty attitude eventually fades. And then we're ready for God's blessing again. Catch this, "When we find rest in God's provision, we become ready for God's blessings."

Has God not proven that He'll take care of us? Has He not proven that when He says, "Go" that He'll go with us? God maybe calling you to trust Him and act on your faith in order to receive that next blessing. Are you willing? Or will you end up in a desert for a while..."in your room" for a while.

Action Points for those in this type of desert:

a. Take inventory again
b. repent from the "lack of trust" attitude
c. Know that even in this type of desert...God is still with you and will care for you
d. Get ready to act when God releases you again to take steps of faith

Remember, just because good things happen in the desert, it doesn't mean that's where you're supposed to be. So if you are in this type of desert, don't get comfortable there.

I hope this helps someone today. I'll continue with Desert type 2 tomorrow.