When you surrender yourself to God's Will,  you understand that God's purpose for you will be revealed over the course of your journey. Some may have the kind of relationship with God and  already know what  God has purposed for them.   A curious traveler always wants to know in advance what lies ahead. This is why vacations are usually well planned to the detail including all that you want to see and do so that you will get the most from the journey.  God does not lay the details out before you, but they will certainly be new, learning, enjoyable times sprinkled with love and pleasure. You can only know "good" when you have experienced "bad."  You must have something to measure it against if you are to recognize it.   It seems that everyone I spoke with this week  is going through a wilderness. Some are facing challenges that have weakened them spiritually. They feel the weight of the burdens and think that they are alone.  You are not alone. All of us must visit the wilderness, it is a part of life.  But when in the wilderness, always know that just as you got in.. there is a way out.  Whatever happens, you cannot be afraid to stand up to the cruelties of life. Even when you think you have reached your weakest point and can't take any more, God knows that deep within you lies an untapped source of strength and courage..you don't know this strength, simply because you have never had to go there.  No matter where life takes you or throws your way,you always have choices. Instead of looking at the down side, we must   nurture the wounded spirit…so that healing will come… then strength and resilience will come.  In every wilderness, there are blessings.  We must never let trials, challenges, or negatives cast a dark shadow over our Blessings.