4 minute read
Encouragement From the Pit
Can God Lead Me Through Dry Times?
It doesn’t take long to notice when a drought occurs. Plants, animals, and people all suffer when the land becomes dry. Everything changes when the rain stops, as the availability of water is paramount.
Sometimes, we experience other types of droughts in life--emotional, spiritual, and mental. During these times, we may feel empty, worn, and depleted, often exhibiting a lack of gumption, focus, and energy. If our droughts get severe, the mere mention of “hope” can make us aware of how little hope we hold.
During one of my droughts, I worked diligently on my writing but struggled to catch a creative streak. I searched for inspiration yet had none for those who read my words. When the droughts come, and our internal well feels dry, there’s not much to pass on to others. I took a break from social media for this exact reason.
And so, I needed to make some changes. I’ve been intentional about my choices lately. I’ve moved toward things that will bring me health, peace, and a closer relationship with Christ. During prayer times, I’ve tried listening more than speaking. I’ve spent time doing more things God desires and fewer that fill time.
As a result, God used a recent trip to the dry, rugged countryside of Texas and a visit with great friends and family to change my perspective.
It’s ironic how God used a land that receives little rain to illustrate how I could be watered best even in the dryest times of life. When I got away from distractions, God met me again through His Word and still, small voice. Like a gentle desert rain, He freshened me and my relationship with him. He brought me back to the simple foundations of where He and I used to be. It felt like a cool, refreshing drink on the hottest summer day.
Looking back, I now see beauty in the dry times of life, beauty only God can create, cultivate, and nurture. Life droughts are precious because they bring us closer to God. The dry times of my life have taught me the most because He and I walked the dry land together. He gave me strength when I lost a spouse to cancer. His Word became alive when I went through a divorce. He brought me peace when nothing made sense during my accident and brain injury recovery. I’ve seen God’s beauty in the droughts. He’s always been there. He provides fresh water. And I’ve been satisfied.
I challenge you to do the same. We can turn to God in our dryest moments and have the richest experiences. The life-sustaining water He brings to the table is the purest, most refreshing kind.
O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; (Psalm 63:1, KJV).
Author, Chuck Carr
Chuck, a former youth pastor, has influenced many people in his life. Despite hardships, he has found hope in inspiring others through writing and speaking. Despite losing his spouse in 2008 and experiencing a traumatic brain injury in 2018, he invests his time and energy into promoting healing, hope, and purpose in his community. Chuck has chosen to live with purpose despite his injuries, being an inspiration to others. Overcoming both the struggles of Christian faith and disability, his message and voice are clear as Romans 8:28 is the truest Bible verse he knows. Chuck is now remarried to a woman of shared life goals, Faerie. He is a country boy at heart and resides with his wife and children in the rolling hills of Southwestern Pennsylvania. Chuck has written both fiction and nonfiction. His debut novel, titled The Convergence, was an Inspirational Fiction Finalist for the 2020 International Book Awards. He then went on to publish the self-help booklet, Navigating Grief, and two full-length narrative non-fiction books, All That the Locusts Have Eaten: God’s Redemption Through Loss and Heartache, and Wonders in the Deep.
