When you are going through the wilderness, you feel like nobody really understands what you’re going through.

What’s so interesting to me is when you look at wilderness stories in the Bible, wilderness experiences often follow mountaintop experiences.

Perhaps you have had a similar experience. One moment things were going great. Then the bottom fell out. Experiences like these often drive us into the wilderness. You try to talk to people about it, but they just don’t seem to understand. That can leave you feeling isolated, desperate and alone.

Whatever your wilderness experience is like, as much as it hurts, I want you to know that your deepest need can become a gift when it drives you to depend more on God. We see this principle lived out in the life of the Old Testament prophet Elijah.

Elijah had experienced the protection of God. He experienced the provision of God. He knew very well the presence of God. He knew about God’s greatness. But now, we find Elijah at the end of his rope (see 1 Kings 19).

He had a literal mountaintop experience at a place called Mount Carmel, where he experienced the undeniable power of God. Elijah was obviously a man of great faith, but he’s worn out. He was physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually exhausted. He was at the end of his rope. He has had enough.

Have you ever felt like saying, “God, I can’t take anymore?”

Sometimes, life can seem overwhelming. In those moments, even the smallest things can push you over the edge. You’re doing the best you can, but you are just not sure your best is going to be enough.

In moments like these, you are tempted to say you are just tired, but that is not completely true because if you were tired, you could take a nap and that would solve your problem. You’re not just physically tired. You’re spiritually depleted.

You need physical rest, but your greater need is spiritual replenishment. You’re not just tired, and you’re not just overwhelmed. What you need is an encounter with the very real and very holy presence of God.

What you need is a fresh encounter with the goodness, mercy and grace of your loving heavenly father. What you need is an encounter with Immanuel — “God with us.”

Whether you are in the valley or in the wilderness, he is ready to meet you wherever you are. He is waiting for you to look to him. He will not disappoint.

Steve Greene is the lead pastor of The Point in Seymour. Read his blog at pastorgreene.wordpress.com or email him at [email protected]. Send comments to [email protected].