The Heart of Paul a Desert Trekker

So, I dont know why, but I have been stuck on this desert theme of Spirituality and God has really been showing me a whole lot about it lately. Essentially, all the big Bible characters I guess you could say learned how to walk through the desert. Just think about it.

David
Paul
Abraham
Moses (literally)
Joseph
Etc...

I was reading in Romans and 2nd Corinthians this morning and I was just blown away by the fact, that God puts us through the desert so that we may be stronger.
So that we may trust him more. Here is what I read this morning in Romans 5:

" Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us."
-Romans 5:3-5

Do you see that trend of development within the person there? Check it.

Ok so as we walk through the desert/suffering whatever you wanna call it. There is a point where what we believe and what we have trusted in for sustenance fails. Through this failure we learn how to persevere in order to get to a point where we can eat and drink (metaphorically of course). It is through this perseverance that we develop our key character traits. Like, are you one to give up easy when things get tough? Or are you the one who takes charge and doesnt let the desert own you, but rather you owning the desert. And once a person starts to get tough in the desert, there is a hope that develops, a hope that the person knows that a desert does not go on forever, there is a horizon, and there is an oasis on the horizon.

If anyone, Paul is the one that can speak the most truth to this. Check out 2nd Corinthians:

"We put no stumbling block in anyone's path, so that our ministry will not be discredited. Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way; in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand in the left; through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine yet regarded as impostors; known yet regarded as unknown; dying and yet we live on; beaten and not yet killed; sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor yet making many rich; aving nothing and yet possessing everything."
-2nd Corinthians 6:3-10

This is a description of his ministry as a missionary. Its crazy. He knew what it was to be in the desert. He knew what it was to have hope in the midst of uncertainty. In the midst of the desert. And yet he had hope in Christ.

So, may you, the desert trekker keep on trekking. Know that there is an oasis on the horizon. Do not give up. God is doing big things in you. Embrace it.