What should have been an 11-year-old journey ended up being a forty years journey for the Israelites, shocking, right?
But hold on! Before you say God was unfair to them, you need to know why it took them 40 years to reach the Promised Land. (Deuteronomy 1:2)
The children of Israel had what is called the wilderness mentality.
They had the wrong mindset about God despite everything he did to show them how much he loved them.
God set them free from captivity, provided for them food and water, but they did not trust him. (Deuteronomy 1:32)
Maybe what you are facing right now is not an attack from the enemy.
It could be that you have the wrong mindset about God or his word, and that is keeping you in the same spot when you should be soaring high like an eagle.
The truth is the kind of attitude you have towards God, people, and life will determine how far you will go.
But what does “wilderness mentality” mean?
Having a wilderness mentality means that you’re impatient and not trusting towards God and his promises.
It means running ahead of God instead of waiting patiently for his promises to be fulfilled in your life.
It means focusing on your past instead of focusing on your future.
Now that we know what the wilderness mentality is, how do we break free from it?
Trust God
You need to take God at his word because he will never promise you something that he cannot fulfill.
Remember, God is not a man that he should lie; his promises will come to pass no matter how long it takes.
Instead of focusing on what is happening in the natural realm, turn to the word of God.
Believe with all your heart that it will come to pass. (Psalm 62:8)
Things may be difficult for you right now, but do not believe what the enemy is telling you.
Stop feeling sorry for yourself and stand firm on the promises of God.
Forget The Former Things
Let’s face it; we cannot change what happened in our lives in the past. We can only learn from those experiences.
It doesn’t matter how bad your childhood was.
The truth is there someone out there that has had it worse than you, but they rose above what happened and are now living great lives.
Why?
It is because they chose to leave the former things behind. (Philippians 3:13)
Holding on to the past will hinder you from moving forward and fulfilling the plans God has for you.
Do not be like the children of Israel who kept on looking back to Egypt instead of focusing on the Promised Land.
Understand Your Purpose
Do you know why most people keep reliving their past or give up easily?
It is because they don’t know their purpose or they don’t understand it.
If the Israelites had taken time to understand why God has chosen them, they wouldn’t have spent so much time complaining; instead, they would have cooperated with God. (Genesis 22:17-18)
If you don’t know your purpose or you’ve not understood it turn to God and ask him to open your understanding so that you can know why you here.
Purpose-driven people will not get off track, and even if they do, they will always get back on track and keep on following the path God has laid out for them.
All in all:
The wilderness mentality will hold you back from being the person that God wants you to be.
Instead of complaining and doubting God, trust him with your life.
Ask God to show you your purpose and how to fulfill it.
Stop focusing on the past and focus on what lies ahead, knowing fully well that God has got your back.
What is a spiritual wilderness mentality?
Having a wilderness mentality means that you’re impatient and not trusting towards God and his promises.
It means running ahead of God instead of waiting patiently for his promises to be fulfilled in your life.
It means focusing on your past instead of focusing on your future.
