It is no coincidence that Revelation Wellness’ theme this month is “Through the Wild.” As our world experiences a new level of “wilderness” living these days, we are challenged to turn to God in the midst of the chaos. We have a natural inclination towards order, predictability, and certainty.

Many of us are experiencing greater levels of anxiety, fear, and worry. These feelings can feel rather heavy after a while if we don’t learn to “pause.”  You may start to carry too much in your heart and in your grocery cart. The wilderness can be scary, but you must walk through it. God calls us into wilderness seasons for a greater purpose than we can fathom.

We don’t have to understand it all, in order to take the next step. But, I encourage you to meet with God in prayer and ask Him, “What do you want me to carry in this wilderness?” 

This question became important for me during the RevWild Outdoor Leadership backpacking trip. I had the privilege and honor of training alongside some of the most amazing people who made up RevWild Outdoor Leadership Squad 001. The experience changed me forever.

Since we moved slowly on the trail, I could not avoid the weight inside me and on me. I was faced with emotions, beliefs, and thoughts that arose around my fears and pride. I trained SO HARD for this wilderness expedition. I STRIVED more in this “training” season than ever before. I literally trained with more weight in my pack than was required of me. I thought I had to prove to myself that I could do this. These things weighed me down even more than the pack on my back.

When you’re out on the trail or in any wilderness, you quickly learn that you have to let things go. I learned what truly open hands look like and what real surrender to the Father feels like. In my surrender, I HEARD from the Father like never before. My heart became better aligned with His in the backcountry, wilderness spaces. All this to say, my journey looked NOTHING at all like I “planned” (altitude sickness is a real and humbling thing!), but it was FAR better than I ever imagined.

WHAT DO YOU CARRY IN THE WILDERNESS?

I am a hiker at heart, so I like to compare my heart to a backpacking pack. When you go backpacking, you need to make choices about what you carry. You cannot carry “ALL of the Things, ALL of the time!”

In preparation for our time spent in the wilderness, we need to evaluate what will be necessary for our journey. Some of the essentials for our physical packs carry a weighty significance for a life well-walked with the Lord too. It is important to consider these as essentials for time spent on a wilderness expedition:

*a water filter and have a water source–And HE is a spring of  “living water” (Jer.2:13).

*a survival knife— put on the whole armor of God (Eph 6:11)

*a communication device—prayer with the Father (Jer 29:12-14)

*a fire source–our God is a consuming fire (Hebrews 12:28-29)

* a place of shelter—He is our refuge (Psalm 91:2)

JOURNALING PROMPT:

Pack this: 

1. What is the Father asking you to bring into the Wild?
2. Is he asking you to be who He created you to be, not who you think you are or what the world says you are?
3. Is He asking you to choose to be “Present”, to “Feel” again, to “Believe”, to “Trust” and to “Love well”, because He first loved you?
4. Is He asking you to carry His word in your heart and readily on your lips to offer Hope to those around you?

He will make a way. He will give you the strength to carry your weight.

Leave that:

1. What is God be asking you to let go of?
2. What are the things that we were never meant to pick up?
3. Is there unforgiveness in your heart? Are there secrets that you keep out of fear?
4. What weighs you down? (Matthew 11:28-30) Perhaps we are to lay down once and for all- worry, doubt, fear, anger, pride, insecurity, junk you really don’t need.

Now,  take a deep breath and pray.

Father, help us to find PEACE in laying down whatever it is that you are asking us to lay down and discernment to know what You have for us to carry and hold on to. And Father, may we be brave and strong enough in You to be able to feel the weight, but not be overtaken by it. 

Debbie Stiles resides in the beautiful mountains of East Tennessee. She is wife to Todd, Mom to twin daughters, Madison and Maisie (21) and son Ryan (18).  She is a Revelation Wellness Instructor (Platoon 22) and RevWild Outdoor Leader (Squad 001) as well as a humbled daughter of the King. She has the heart to love and serve her community through her work with local non-profits, hiking groups, and meal ministries. “I may wander, but I’m not lost.” You can get in touch with her by email!

Thank you for reading the Revelation Wellness Blog this week! We seek to encourage you to love God, get healthy, be whole, and love others with weekly stories, RevTips, and devotionals.

Workout with us in this #wednesdayworkout! Train your hope and move in God’s love with REVWELL TV! If this ministry is ministering to your heart, mind, and strength during this time, please consider becoming a monthly partner!

BRITNEY’S KICKBOXING – “THROUGH THE WILD”

Enjoy this low-impact, multiplanar, cross-training kickboxing workout! A total body workout like no other! (ALL LEVELS) (ISAIAH 43:19; NO EQUIPMENT)