So many believers misunderstand the heart of God when they enter into seasons of trial, hiddenness or spiritual attack. Yet throughout Scripture—from Joseph to David, from the prophets to the apostles—those whom God intends to use most powerfully often walk through the most intense refining fires.
In a recent message, Kathryn Krick reminded the body of Christ that wilderness seasons are not abandonment—they are preparation.
“So many people, they miss revelation of God’s love for them when they’re experiencing wilderness seasons, when they’re experiencing attacks,” she said. “We need to grow up spiritually, get in the Word of God, and renew our minds with the Word of God.”
Krick points out that not a single hero of faith in Scripture “had this just easy life.” Instead, there is always a process—one that includes refining, humbling, shaping and molding.
“Every time we see that it’s temporary, every time we see that God is so faithful to bring justice, bring vindication, bring lifting for His glory,” she said. “Every time in the Word of God, we see that God always wins. There is never a sentence in the Bible that says God lost that battle and the devil won.”
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As Krick points out, the most difficult part of the wilderness is not the lack of abundance—it’s the lack of understanding. “I know there’s a temptation when you’re in the wilderness…to wonder why is God allowing this,” she admitted.
However, the invitation in these moments is not to despair—it’s to discern. “Simply be aware of the season that you are in,” she said. “This is the goodness of God that you’re going through this precious refining.”
Krick drew parallels from the lives of biblical figures who endured seasons of extreme testing long before their elevation.
“Joseph was thrown in the pit…thrown in prison because he was falsely accused. David was hunted for eight to 10 years,” she said. “But God came through for them every time. Those seasons were temporary. Those seasons were so valuable. They needed those seasons to shape them to be these mighty heroes of faith that changed the world.”
Her own journey mirrored the same pattern. She recalled years when her church steadily decreased in attendance, accompanied by accusations and spiritual warfare that tested her heart and calling.
“I renewed my mind and said, ‘Thank You, God. I know I need to go through this. You know what I need,’” she reflected. “You’ve called me to something huge, and obviously, I got to go through biblical refining fire like Joseph did, like David did.”
Now on the other side of those trials, she sees the fruit they produced—not just spiritually, but emotionally and practically.
“I look back, and I see I have patience I didn’t have before. I have a deep trust in God that I didn’t have before,” she said. “My heart is more pure… I don’t care what people think as much. It’s real change.”
One of the most profound revelations came in understanding why God allowed false words to spread and the church to shrink before revival broke out.
“In the middle of it, it’s hard,” she said. “I trusted You God, but I didn’t understand.” But the shrinking was pruning—not punishment. “To become an anointed vessel of God who carries great responsibility as a leader in the body of Christ…you have to go through this kind of refining fire.”
Today, she sees those wilderness years as the kindness of God, not His absence.
“Everything that He allows…is because He loves you,” she said. “This is the goodness of God that you’re in this season. You’re going to come out like gold.”
Scripture promises that “God works out all things for good to those who are called according to His purpose.” That means for those surrendered to God, even the wilderness is a setup, not a setback.
In Krick’s words: “Everything that He does in your life, everything that He allows, everything is because He loves you.”
Abby Trivett is a writer and editor for Charisma Media and has a passion for sharing the gospel through the written word. She holds two degrees from Regent University, a B.A. in Communication with a concentration in Journalism and a Master of Arts in Journalism. She is the author of the upcoming book, The Power of Suddenly: Discover How God Can Change Everything in a Moment.
