10/30/2025
The Desert Times of Our Lives by Donna Liu MS LPC
I now see the desert times in my life as an invitation to deepen my relationship with God, my Creator/The Divine/Love, with others and with myself. When I have experienced desert moments; feelings of abandonment, rejection, confusion, deep sadness, loss etc. I initially felt frightened and alone. There was a deep hole within me that I could never imagine being filled. My desert moments would make me feel powerless, they would scare me and bring me into a darkness that I did not understand. By embracing these moments I have discovered that the darkness is an invitation to healing. It is an invitation to stop, reflect, be still, pray, and wait until I can see the light again. I now see the darkness as a gift of healing and renewal; a time for emotional and spiritual growth. For without the darkness we can not see the light.
Our pain always has something to teach us. If we run from it by keeping busy, numbing with addictions (food, alcohol, drugs, etc…) we prevent ourselves from healing. Psychotherapy, spiritual direction, choosing a daily contemplative practice, self-care, journaling, yoga, Tai Chi, meditation, prayer, and mindfulness all are ways to slow down, let go of the illusion of control, and to begin to trust that the love within us will guide us through the pain. This love will bring us to a new awareness; new experiences, and can open the door to new beginnings. We all want the quick fix, the pain to go away, but it never will, until we choose to “Be Still” and ask ourselves, “What can I learn from this experience? What have I been neglecting in my life? Where am I being called to now? What gifts in my life have I been taking for granted? What truly brings meaning to my life? What habits do I need to break? What negative self-talk do I need to stop? What do I need to let go of? When we are still, the questions we need to answer for ourselves will come. And as we follow the light, step by step, it will get brighter and brighter and we will realize that we have come through the pain with new awareness, new direction and we will have to courage to live again.
If you are experiencing a desert period in your life, please feel free to call us at The Center for Pastoral Counseling. We are here for you. We care and we see it as a privilege to share in this journey of healing with you. Peace, Donna Liu MS LPC 484-442-0064
