The wilderness is never a "terrible place."

For the grumbling Israelites,

the wilderness was a "terrible place" (Num. 20:5).

The reason was that in the wilderness,

there was no seed to sow, no figs, no vines, no pomegranates,

and no water to drink as they desired (v. 5).

Their hearts considered the manna provided by God from heaven

as "this miserable food" and they also despised "this miserable food" (21:5).

However, for us grateful Christians,

the wilderness is a very good place and a necessary place.

The reason is that just as Jesus prayed to God the Father in a desolate place (Mk. 1:35),

we turn the lonely wilderness into a solitary garden (Henry Nouwen)

where we can have intimate fellowship with the Lord.

The reason is that our hearts love Jesus,

who is the true bread from heaven (Jn. 6:32)

and the one who gives life to the world (v. 33),

the bread of life (v. 35).