by Shannon Steuerwald

“It’s a jungle out there!”  You may have heard this phrase used to describe the chaos of a certain location or situation.  Life can be a jungle, but it can also be a wilderness.  The jungle has the idea of treacherous swamps, danger behind every vine, noises lurking from the shadows of the many trees—but at least there is always Tarzan to rescue me!  When I think of the wilderness, I think of a lonely, dry, chapped, dusty land with no shade for relief, no water for survival, plenty of poisonous creatures to bite me—but no Tarzan to rescue me!  How can I make a garden out of my wilderness?  How can I find refreshment in my wilderness? Do I really need Tarzan?

Get in God’s Word

Joshua 1:8 — get in the Word to observe what you should do

Psalm 119:9-11 — get in the Word to avoid sin

Psalm 119:28 — get in the Word to be strengthened

Romans 10:17 — get in the Word to increase your faith

Act on God’s Truths

James 1:22 — be a doer

Ephesians 6:17 — use the weapon

Philippians 4:9 — put to action what you have learned

Rest in God’s Promises

Proverbs 3:5-7 — trust God, not your instincts

Hebrews 11 — trust God, not common sense

Psalm 27:13-14 — trust God, not your own strength

Discipline Your Thoughts

Psalm 27:13; Romans 15:13 — what I believe makes a difference

Philippians 4:8 — my thoughts can be controlled

1 Chronicles 28:9; Job 21:27 — God understands/knows my thoughts

Psalm 10:4 — the wicked do not think about God

Proverbs 16:3 — my thoughts can be established

Endure Hardships Joyfully

2 Timothy 2:3-4 — we endure to please God

2 Timothy 4:5-8 — we endure because there is a greater end

James 1:2-4 — we endure in order to grow

Philippians 2:5-8; Hebrews 12:1-2 — Jesus endured for us

Never Underestimate the Power of Prayer

Matthew 21:22 — prayer + believing = results

James 5:15-16 — effectual prayer makes a difference

Ephesians 6:18 — prayer is a part of our Christian armor

Psalm 91:15 — God hears us and delivers us