Hope in a Desert Place

It wasn’t long ago that I would consistently put my hope in myself and the people around me. I tried so hard to make things right on my own or had expectations of others that simply could never meet the mark.

During this time, Jesus was more of an acquaintance than a Savior and friend. My marriage was stagnant; sin was dividing us in many areas and my dad had recently passed. There was so much turmoil and many unknowns. However, I had two little children that I had to be strong and present for and I had hope for something more. It was emotionally and physically draining, but I chose to turn to God’s Word, prayer, and to put my trust in Him during the waiting.

Jesus graciously met me where I was. In the middle of my striving for just a sip during a very dry season, He reminded me that I didn’t have to face it all alone, that I could thrive through periods of drought, and that He would be the one that carries me through it all.

It is hard to have no worries when life is challenging, but Jesus tells us in John that “whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life” (John 4:14). He promises that with Him we will never be thirsty again— so we do not have to worry when the troubles and dry seasons of life are thrown our way because He will be our source of water, our source of hope.

​To find this hope we must seek Him through prayer and open His Word to allow Him to speak to us. As we become more consistent in this two-way relationship He offers, He will reveal to us all we need to get through anything life throws our way.

Jesus shows us a perfect example of how to seek hope and trust God while in a drought. Just before heading to the cross, while in the garden of Gethsemane, He went to pray to His father and He shared with his disciples, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me. Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, ‘My father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will’” (Matt. 26:38-39).

In this moment, He displays to us that it is okay to pour out our feelings, worries, and doubts to God. We can express our desires for things we wish to be different, but still trust in Him no matter what the outcome may be. If Jesus didn’t trust His Father that day on the cross, we would have nothing to hope for.

Because He completed His rescue mission for us, we are able to have an inward peace and a trust in the Father’s promises that shows us His faithfulness that will help us withstand any dryness that comes our way.

When we seek hope in Christ, He promises to sustain us through our drought.

So friend, whatever season you are in right now, tap into the Holy Spirit, the spring of living water that is within you. He will fill your cup and keep your roots saturated through any prolonged period in a desert place.

““This is what the LORD says: ‘Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who draws strength from mere flesh and whose heart turns away from the LORD. That person will be like a bush in the wastelands; they will not see prosperity when it comes. They will dwell in the parched places of the desert, in a salt land where no one lives. But blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.”
​Jeremiah 17:5-8 (NIV)

About the Author

Hello! I’m Brenna Kurz. I have been married to my best friend for almost ten years. We have two amazing children and a third on the way! I enjoy working out, spending time with friends & family and traveling to new places. I have experienced the grace of God in many situations over the last several years and can testify how merciful and good our Father is. I want to encourage others to be in His word and seek Him daily— that He is always with us and always faithful.