The wilderness isn’t punishment—it’s preparation for the promise.

In this episode, Mark Carter and co-host Erica Adkins dive into what it means to walk through the “wilderness” seasons of life and leadership. These are the in-between spaces—after a promise is given, but before it’s fulfilled. Drawing from Scripture and personal stories, they explore why God leads us through wildernesses and how leaders can develop spiritual resilience during these confusing and refining times.

📋 Key Takeaways

Wilderness is a biblical pattern, not a personal failure. From Moses to Paul to Jesus, God often leads His people through a wilderness before a breakthrough.
God uses the wilderness to shape dependence, obedience, and worship. It’s about valuing His presence more than the promise itself.
Self-leadership is critical. Leaders must recognize they’re in a wilderness season and choose to stay grounded in God’s Word, worship, and truth—even when it feels like nothing is changing.
Not knowing the full lesson is part of the process. Don’t assume you know what God is teaching right away; the deeper work often takes time to surface.
Beware of grumbling and misplaced expectations. Complaining in the wilderness can short-circuit what God is doing—and so can trying to control the outcome.

💬 Quotes & Soundbites

“The wilderness is usually the exact opposite of what we’ve been promised—and it’s where God forms the kind of people who can actually carry the promise.”
“You may not know what God is correcting in your soul right away. That’s part of self-leadership—trusting Him even in the dark.”
“If you’re not going to eat the manna, you’re going to die in that wilderness.”
“Worship God with the suckiness. Jesus is worth the sucky.”

📖 Scripture Tie-Ins

Romans 15:4 – “Everything that was written in the past was written to teach us…”
Exodus, Leviticus, Deuteronomy, Joshua – Israel’s wilderness journey
Matthew 4:1 – Jesus led into the wilderness
Numbers 16 – Korah’s rebellion and submission to God’s order
Isaiah 55:8–9 – God’s ways and thoughts are higher than ours
Job 1:21 – “The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.”

🛠️ Next Steps for Listeners

Reflect:

What “promise” are you waiting on God to fulfill?
In what ways might your current “wilderness” be shaping your character or your calling?

Journaling Prompts:

“Where am I tempted to grumble instead of worship?”
“How have I been trying to control the ending of my story?”
“What does obedience look like for me in this season?”

Spiritual Practices:

Meditate on Romans 15:4 and journal how God has used past seasons to encourage you.
Take a 24-hour media fast and spend that time in worship and Scripture (especially Exodus 16 or Matthew 4).

Linked Resources:

Visit bibleleadership.com for more episodes and resources.
Watch the episode on YouTube and share with a friend.
Want to know more about Fierce Church? Check it out here.

#55 Wilderness, Part 1 | Preparation for the Promise