God, Where Are You?!: Finding Strength & Purpose in Your Wilderness

by John Bevere

Do you feel lost in a difficult season, wondering, “GOD, WHERE ARE YOU?!” Perhaps you heard God speak, but now He seems silent. Maybe you moved forward in faith, but now His presence is nowhere to be found. Welcome to the wilderness—the place between receiving a promise from God and seeing it come to pass. But here’s the good news—this is no purposeless wasteland. God uses the wilderness to prepare and equip you for your destiny—that is, if you navigate it correctly. Contrary to what many may think, getting through this season isn’t just a matter of waiting on God. You have a part to play in navigating through it. A big one. And if you don’t want to waste time wandering in circles, it’s important to learn what that is. In this eye-opening book, best-selling author John Bevere equips you with key biblical insights and profound stories that will help you navigate your dry or difficult seasons and step into all that God has for you. Includes discussion questions for group study

Genres: Christian, Nonfiction, Christianity, Faith, Christian Living, Spirituality, Audiobook

178 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1992

About the author

Marked by boldness and passion, John Bevere delivers uncompromising truth through his award-winning curriculums and bestselling books, now in more than 60 languages, including "The Bait of Satan," "Drawing Near" and "Driven by Eternity." He is an international speaker and co-host of "The Messenger" TV program broadcast worldwide.

John enjoys living in Colorado Springs with his wife, Lisa, also a best-selling author and speaker, and their four sons.

Reviews

[Ineta Lopez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Šios knygos dėka pavyko atpažinti ir įsivardinti dykumos etapą savo gyvenime. Kiekvienam verta perskaityti, nes dykumos neapeis nei vienas. Anksčiau ar vėliau ji ištinka kiekvieną ir net ne po kartą. Tad geriau su ja susidurti, jau turint supratimą, kam ji skirta: "Dykuma yra toji vieta, kur Dievas žmogų išbando, palenkia, sustiprina ir išgrynina. Kaip tik ten Jis formuoja mumyse dievišką charakterį. Ten vyksta pasirengimas vaisingam ateities darbui Jo karalystėje."
Neturint to supratimo, ištiks natūralus, žmogiškas noras tiesiog skųstis, murmėti, net nusivilti, piktintis Dievu. Dykumos laikas su tokia reakcija gali užtrukti. Dievas į dykumą nuveda ne tam, kad nubaustų, bet tam, kad pasimatytų tikroji širdies būklė, motyvai. Būtume apvalyti, ištyrinti ir galėtume keliauti link Pažadėtios žemės.

[Cara Putman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book came at a time I needed hope and instruction on how to thrive in the wilderness. I went from asking God where He was and what I need to do to having an understanding of this time there are survival tips, encouragement, and understanding. I have hope and a sense of expectation as I rest in this time. Highly recommend. This book will give you understanding for the purposes of future wilderness times as well as hope if you’re in one now.

[Aurimas Gudas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Knyga, kuri nuramino ir priminė, kad kančia turi prasmę, kad man skirti sunkumai yra tam, kad tapčiau labiau subrendęs ir tvirtesnis. Dykumos tikslas „išugdyti, apvalyti, nuskaistinti, sustiprinti ir parengti mus naujam Dvasios judėjimui, kad per jį nėštume dar daugiau vaisiaus“.
Kad sveika kartais atsidurti dykumo ir tai labiau dvasinio sveikumo ženklas, o ne atvirkščiai.
Kad Dievui svarbesnis ryšys su mumis, nei mūsų darbai. „Mes prašomės Dievo naudojami, nerodydami jokio susidomėjimo juo pačiu ir nestiprindami santykių su juo. Kai palaikysime artimą ryšį su Dievu, dvasiniai vaikai savaime gims — panašiai kaip kad jie gimsta po intymių santykių tarp sutuoktinių“. John Bevere
Kad reikia neprisirišti prie praeities metodų.
Kad sunkumai laikini.

„Bėda nėra viso labo tik paprasta priemonė — tai pati veiksmingiausia Dievo naudojama priemonė, skatinanti pažangą mūsų dvasiniame gyvenime. Mūsų gyvenime susiklosčiusios nepalankios aplinkybės ir įvairūs nelaimingi nutikimai, kuriuos laikome stabdžiais ir kliūtimis, dažniausiai užveda mus ant intensyvaus dvasinio augimo kelio. Tą supratę ir priėmę kaip dvasinį gyvenimo faktą, lengviau pakelsime ir pačias bėdas“. Charles Stanley

[Ashley Ethridge · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read for the tough seasons. I’ve experienced no greater pain than reaching out to God and feeling that He is not there because of the silence. This book really helps shed light on the dry seasons or times of trial and tribulation. It was trippy because almost all of the verses mentioned in the book except 3, were the exact verses that kept coming up through the Bible app Verse of the Day, devotional and daily Bible readings during a really tough season. To have read this and have Bevere not only mentioning these exact same verses but expanding on how God speaks to us through them not only brought joy but was a soothing balm to my aching soul realizing He was always there and in fact was speaking through it. Highly recommend whether you’re in a tough time or not because it will help sustain you through it.

[Andreea Birau · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is exactly what I needed to hear

✍🏻CITATE✍🏻
Our Father brings us through this season of preparation so He can get us to our place of promise.
In order to help us grow up and mature, He allows us to go through times in which He does not respond instantly to our every call.
The wilderness is a time when you appear to be going in the opposite direction of your dreams and the promises you once were certain He'd made to you. In the wilderness, you sense no spiritual growth and development. In fact, you may feel you are regressing. His presence seems to diminish, rather than grow. You may even feel unloved and ignored. But you are not.
"I'm fully convinced that the One who began this glorious expression of grace in you will faithfully continue the process of maturing you through your union with Him and will complete it." (Philippians 1:6)
He meets our needs in this time, not necessarily our wants.
The wilderness reveals the motives of our hearts, whether they are selfish or selfless..
In order to grow and change we must be teachable.
You are not in this desert because you have sinned. He's preparing you for the change that is coming.
The desert or wilderness is the place where the way of the Lord is prepared.

[Andy Zach · Rating 4 out of 5]

What's a Christian to do when God is not answering your prayers? What do you do when you're stuck in an unpleasant, or horrible, depressing, or painful situation? That's the topic John Bevere addresses in his book, 'God Where Are You?!

Pastor John Bevere reviews his own life with his own trials and mistakes and the times he was in 'the wilderness', as he terms it. He candidly describes his doubts, fears, and mistakes, and then how God led him through his dry places to fountains of living waters.

I think every Christian needs to read this and understand this will happen to each of us. Such times of trial are NOT God's punishment, but God's preparation for future service.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just LOVE reading John Bevere's books, and this one in particular was exactly what I needed. It is less about "dark nights of the soul" or crises of faith, and more about waiting on God and seasons of delay.

What he does so well is connect his pastoral advice to scripture - he is just so biblical in his counsel and wisdom! Even as a Bible teacher of 15 years I discover truth and reminders I never have seen before.

He reads his own audiobooks, which I highly recommend. This one will be one I'll probably buy physically as well.

Update: I've read this 3 times so far - once in audio and twice physically. I am so grateful for this book in this season of my life.

[_.Oforiwaaa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved every part of this book. I'm grateful to God for John Bevere and the wisdom God has given him. Personally, this book is a must-read for every Christian. It is a guide, an eye opener, and an encouragement for anyone going through the wilderness. It has lessons that transcend the season of wilderness. It's definitely one of my best Christian literature read by far

[Andrew DeCuir · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I read this book I felt like God intended for me to read it. My wife recommended it during my own season in the wilderness and it truly made sense of everything I was experiencing. John might be my favorite author!

[Mark Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you've ever been or are currently in a "wilderness" time in your walk with the Lord, this book is worth the read. Lots of good insights from an author who has clearly been there.

[Jas · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars. This book spoke to my heart so much. Exactly what I needed to hear.

[Brian McBride · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bevere’s books are always so profound and life-changing!

[J.D. Jewett · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book came into my life in a timely manner and the wisdom found within was greatly needed. It helped my get back on track, and see what living in the wilderness should look like for a child of God.

[Carl · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a great book that explains so much about those times in our life when we do not sense God being close to us. If you are feeling as if you are in a spiritual wilderness experience, you should read this book. God bless!

[Lourdes Varela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Es un libro excelente debo decir! Te da una palabra que necesitas en el momento que estás pasando por el desierto de tu vida.
Recomendado!

[Rosi Petrova · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Deserts are not a time of rejection by God, but a time of God's preparation to enter the Promised Land."
One of my favourite books!

[Kelly Mack McCoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes we feel lost and abandoned like God has disappeared and left us to fend for ourselves. These wilderness seasons can be incredibly challenging but also incredibly transformative, as they are meant to be. God, Where Are You?!: Finding Strength & Purpose in Your Wilderness gave me a powerful message of hope and encouragement while going through my wilderness experience.

I needed reminding that the wilderness is not a punishment but a preparation. Bevere writes about how God uses these difficult seasons to teach, refine, and draw us closer to Him. Rather than seeing our struggles as evidence of God's absence, we can learn to see them as opportunities to grow and learn.

The book offers practical advice on navigating the wilderness season, including recognizing the purpose behind our struggles, clinging to hope even when things feel bleak, and trusting in God's promises even when we don't understand His timing. Bevere draws on his own experiences, as well as stories from the Bible, to illustrate these points in a way that is relatable and inspiring.

One of the most powerful aspects of this book is its emphasis on the importance of community. Bevere writes about how God often uses other people to support and sustain us through difficult times. He encourages readers to seek out healthy relationships, to be vulnerable with others, and to rely on the strength of the body of Christ as a whole.

Bevere's writing style is engaging and heartfelt, and he does an excellent job of balancing the weightiness of the topic with moments of fun and humor. He also provides ample scriptural references, clarifying that his ideas are rooted in biblical truth. Whether you are a seasoned believer or just starting your spiritual journey, this book offers valuable insights and encouragement.

[Iasmina Ivasco · Rating 5 out of 5]

O carte care a durat aproape un an să o termin, pentru ca până acum o săptămână, m-am aflat în pustie. Nu mă înțelegeți greșit, L-am experimentat pe Dumnezeu în ultimul a cum nu L-am experimentat niciodată, dar a fost un an de șlefuire, de maturizare și de luptă, în pustie. Vorbind de carte, este scrisă foarte bine, captivantă, dar faptul ca prezintă o realitate care la prima vedere este tristă o face să fie greu de citit. Am citit-o cu lacrimile curgându-mi pe față dar cu inima săltând de bucurie, în încercare. Pot spune ca mesajul acestei cărți m-a ajutat să înțeleg scopul pustiei, să înțeleg ca Dumnezeu e lângă mine chiar și atunci când văd doar o pereche pe pași pe drum și tot ce strig este: “Unde ești, Doamne?”. Fiecare capitol l-am citit la timpul potrivit. Nu va grăbiți să o terminați. Meditați asupra ei. Mă opresc aici și termin prin a recomanda cartea din toată inima. Mi-aș fi dorit să dau de ea mai devreme, ca sa fiu pregătită din timp, dar cred ca impactul e mai mare atunci când te identifici cu ea :)) God bless you all!!! <3

[Lynda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book came at a time when I really needed it. I had just finished a Bible plan on the Bible App which was narrated by John Bevere. Finding strength and Purpose in our Wilderness

We all go through a wilderness, times when we question where God is? Why isn’t God answering our prayers at the very time we believe they should be answered. God uses the Wilderness to prepare us for our destiny. It is important for us to go through the wilderness time to smooth out some flaws & things going on in our life. We need to realize that God isn’t wasting time, but where we are is a very important place to be at that time. It is a process to the promise fulfilled.

We need to follow Jesus’ example and live like him, being led by the Holy Spirit.

I will return to this book more than once. Such a wonderful and easy read.

[Jane Whittaker · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a member of the 'God, where are you?' book launch, I am privileged to have a sample copy of this book. I have previously read other books by John Bevere and I knew this one wouldn't disappoint. Currently being in, what I believe is, my wilderness situation, I was keen to dive in and discover how to find strength during this season. Through personal testimonies and revelation from God, John writes from the heart, opening our minds to the purposes of God when we feel He has abandoned us. I thoroughly believe that the wilderness is a place where many of us will pass through at one time or another. I highly recommend this book as a must for everyone who wishes to understand the purpose of the wilderness experience and why we may often ask the question, 'God, where are you?'.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book Given to Me at the Right Time

This book did seem to emphasize the same ideas over and over, but, despite this, he added onto the knowledge in each chapter. I've recently been struggling with where I am at in life, asking Why would God give me these things if I am never to experience them fully? (To not go into too much detail)

This book showed me that my attitude has been wrong, that my wanting an answer and feeling the need to do something now, is not God's will. That He hasn't been silent, but telling me that I don't need to do anything right now. He is working on it.

I can't thank God enough for bringing this book into my life. And thank you John for being open to God's will to write this book.

[Brett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Have you ever been inn the wilderness? A time in your life where there was great struggle and the God given dream seems far away if not impossible. If there has been a time of wilderness living, what should we do? John Bevere addresss this difficult topic of How to thrive in the wilderness. Sharing from personal stories, John connect with his readers of the frustration and pain in being in such a difficult time. The main source of help and comfort that is provided is found in God's Word; looking at the children of Israel (especially Moses), readers are able to see the purpose and the hope that is found in wilderness living. Very good read. Helpful, encouraging.

[Hannah Kohl · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was not only such an encouragement for me, but a really good wake up call. I’ve been seeking my promise more than the promise keeper. I’ve been selfish during my wilderness season and haven’t truly believed that God keeps His promises. The Lord wants to use this season of waiting and questioning as a time to refine and strengthen me for when the promise does come.

I picked up this book at the perfect time and it’s no coincidence. I feel like I can continue to run the race well and truly use this season how my Father originally intended it.

[Ryan Fregoso · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too much “I had a conversation with God” without biblical references. Ultra focus on what YOU do to hear from God. The Bible IS THE final authority. Speaking a prophetic word over the reader seems a little presumptuous. The premise was good, but the author’s “story” is not the same for all, and I’d be concerned for new believers reading or listening to this book. Will God use the “wilderness” to prune you, yes! The author, however, emphasizes that it’s to “prepare” you. While that may be true sometimes, it is not always true.

[artem · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love it!! I was able to read this via their MessengerX app, which is God-sent for me as there are a lot of helpful resources and courses there. After I finished reading it, I just wanted to have a physical copy of this book!

I felt like I was currently in this season of my life, so when I saw a YT video about the author talking about the wilderness season, I just had to read it, and it didn't disappoint. I seldom rate 5 stars now, but this one really felt edifying and encouraging to me to continue trusting God, His words, and His promises.

[Barry · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the most helpful books I have read on the topic of how to keep walking with Jesus when he seems a million miles away. What do you do when the heavens feel like brass? When every time you pray it seems like you get a busy signal?
Bevere shares from personal experience how God taught him not to try and escape the dry spiritual wilderness times, but rather, how to grow through them. Very practical. Great insights and based in scripture.

[Celene Gordon · Rating 4 out of 5]

encouragement in your wilderness

So I rated this 4 and not 5 stars because it was so heavy on the references of being an American. The topic of going through the wilderness is an experience that is understood by all that go through it including people from other countries. That aside this is an encouraging book especially when your actually going through it and just need to see a perspective other than your own.

[Louise Hindley · Rating 5 out of 5]

an excellent encouragement

The title caught my eye and as I started reading the book, I realised that I had been going through a wilderness without knowing it. It taught me to receptive to what God is saying to me. There were things in my life that needed to be confessed and after looking at my heart, it was not pure and my focus was not actually on God. The book helped me through my journey of hearing God’s voice again more clearly.

[Bhuti Mbele · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Wilderness Hah

There is a lot I learned from this book, thank you Ps John Bevere, I recommend this book. It makes a lot of things clear when we don’t have answers of what we are going through. I read it when I was going through wilderness and I believe God put in my path to communicate with me.

[Miss F Snelgrove]

A great book

A extremely useful book about the wilderness periods when God seems so far away. The book is well written giving a blend of personal experiences and sound teaching.Overall I would recommend this book to all Christians. whether they are in a time of abundance of experiencing a wilderness season.