God Was Still Working in the Wilderness | Brent Wernsing

There was a season when it felt like everything I had poured my life into was unraveling. We had seen blessing, momentum, growth—God was moving. Then COVID hit, and it felt like all the work of those early years had been swept away overnight. We couldn’t gather. We didn’t know if we’d have a place to meet. People drifted. The future felt uncertain. And if I’m honest, I wasn’t just carrying ministry questions—I was carrying personal ones too. How do I provide for my family? Do I keep going? Do I give up?

For a couple of months, I remember lying awake night after night, wrestling with questions I couldn’t answer. I felt purposeless, directionless, even hopeless at times. It was the first time I had walked through a season of depression, and I didn’t know what to do with that.

But somewhere in that wilderness, things began to shift.

A local business opened their doors to us. People stayed engaged. Support came from places I didn’t expect—people in our church, other pastors, voices reminding me that God’s calling hadn’t changed. What changed was the path. The how, the where, the when, even the who—but not the calling.

And slowly, what felt like loss started looking like rebuilding.

The passion returned. The zeal returned. We relaunched, replanted, and in many ways started stronger than before. God didn’t just restore what we had—He refined it. He strengthened the foundation. He revealed weaknesses we needed to address. He sifted, shaped, and prepared us.

Now I can see my “40” wasn’t God abandoning me. It was God preparing us.

Sometimes what feels like everything falling apart is God laying a stronger foundation.

And maybe the greatest gift in that season was this: I gained empathy. I now understand pain I had never personally carried before.

If you’re still in your “40,” don’t assume God is absent because things feel uncertain. He may be working behind the scenes, setting you up for what’s next. Don’t let doubt or despair make you lose sight of His calling.

Your wilderness may be preparation, not punishment.

A new day will dawn.

From the 41 Series

Elijah experienced an incredible victory on Mount Carmel. Fire fell from heaven. The prophets of Baal were defeated. Rain finally returned after years of drought.

It looked like the breakthrough moment had arrived.

And yet shortly afterward, Elijah found himself afraid, exhausted, isolated, and overwhelmed again.

That part of Elijah’s story matters because sometimes we assume that if God moves powerfully in one season, we’ll never struggle again afterward. But life often doesn’t work that way.

Sometimes one “41” leads into another “40.” Victory may be followed by exhaustion. Breakthrough may be followed by rebuilding. Clarity may be followed by uncertainty. And in those moments, it can feel confusing. Especially when we thought things were finally settling down.

But Elijah’s story reminds us that God’s presence does not disappear just because the season changes.

God was still working in the drought. Still working in the isolation. Still working in the cave. Still working in Elijah’s exhaustion and discouragement.

Sometimes what feels like everything falling apart is actually God refining, strengthening, and preparing us for what’s next.

“What was true of God, is always true of God.”

His presence remains steady even when our emotions, circumstances, and understanding fluctuate.

And often, one of the greatest things God produces in the wilderness is empathy—the ability to help carry others because we now understand pain we once could not fully see.

Sometimes your “41” is realizing God never abandoned you in the wilderness at all.

Scripture Encouragement

• 1 Kings 19:11–18

• Romans 8:28

• James 1:2–4

Reflect & Respond

What resonated most with you in this story? Why?

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Have you experienced a season where it felt like one difficult wilderness led directly into another?

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How have you seen God refining, strengthening, or preparing you through difficult seasons?

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What lessons or empathy has God developed in you through your own struggles?__________________________________________________________________________

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Prayer

God, thank You for remaining faithful even in seasons where life feels uncertain, exhausting, or discouraging. Help me remember that Your presence has not left me simply because the wilderness has lasted longer than I expected.

Give me strength to keep trusting You when I cannot clearly see what You are doing. Use every season of struggle, waiting, or refinement to shape my heart more into Your likeness and prepare me for what You have ahead.

Thank You for never abandoning me in the process.

In Jesus’ name, amen.

Share Hope

Many people quietly wonder if God has forgotten them in difficult seasons. As you reflect on this story, consider sharing it with someone who may need the reminder that God is still present and still working, even in the wilderness.