Is it possible to flourish in the desert?
“Restore, Lord, our situation, as streams refresh the desert.”
(Psalms 126:4)
When I arrived home, after three weeks of traveling, I noticed the garden was very dry, as it is in August which is the hottest month of the year with temperatures ranging between seventy-nine to one hundred and five Fahrenheit degrees. I noticed the lawn was almost completely brown, and my plants were very dry. I was really surprised to notice that one of my five Gerber Daisies was flowering!
I was impressed and immediately the Holy Spirit began to speak to me, “See how this plant is making a difference among the others! It caught your attention and mine too! With me, you will also be able to flourish in the middle of the desert you are crossing. I will be your source of living waters. With me you will make a difference to the point of attracting the attention of others in order to demonstrate to them that despite the sequence, the grief, the scarcity of resources, the betrayals, the disappointments, the uncertainties of life, in me you will find refuge, restoration, joy, peace, and strength to cross this desert and reach your final destination safely. No one takes up residence in deserts. In fact, deserts are places of passage. They are part of the processes in your life, but they were not made for you to stay there. Always move forward, even with strong contrary winds, the scorching sun, and lack of water. Continue trusting in me, and keep moving towards your destiny, because I will provide everything you need to complete the journey well.”
I'm amazed at how God communicates with us all the time. It's like a whisperin our ears. We can stop and listen to Him. I remembered several deserts that I have already crossed in my life:
The year 2012, in particular, was extremely difficult. My husband died in March after five years fighting two cancers and hepatitis C. My only sister passed away four months later in a very tragic and sudden way.
As a result of these losses, I found myself hospitalized for almost two months without a diagnosis. I had severe pain and involuntary contractions every five minutes which do not go away even with continuous use of morphine. Suddenly, I found myself in a wheelchair totally dependent on other people to do simple things like brushing my teeth, combing my hair, sitting down, getting up, or taking a shower. At the height of my pain, I cried out, “Jesus, I believe that only the Lord can help me. My faith is in you. You are my unshakable rock. You alone are my refuge and fortress. My very present help in distress.”
All of the sudden I had a spiritual vision. I saw Jesus crossing the wall of the hospital room where I was coming to meet me and placing his hands on my head. I told my friend who was with me, “The doctors have already given up on me, but Jesus has just brought my healing.”
An hour later, my neurologist brought my diagnosis. I had a very rare disease called Stiff Person Syndrome, a very rare autoimmune disease, where my body was no longer able to produce the natural muscle relaxant. At the time, there were only fourteen people in the world with this disease. I started my treatment with several muscle relaxants, and it was a long journey, one year of physical therapy daily, to relearn how to walk and stabilize myself.
Now, after twelve years, when I visit my doctors, they tell me that I am a miracle. I am completely restored. I am very grateful to God for his care, his love, and his faithfulness.
There is a level of trust with God that we have only after we cross the deserts. It is there that our faith is completely anchored in Him. I want to encourage you not to give up; keep looking to Jesus. He is the author and finisher of our faith. He will never disappoint or abandon you.
”And the Lord will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.“
Isaiah 58:11 ESV
Diândria Coimbra Rich
Mentor and Spiritual Shepherd
CEO Transformation By Grace
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