How to Navigate Through the Detours of Life

One afternoon after picking up my son from preschool, I took my usual short cut through a neighborhood. I set my brain on cruise control while chatting with my son about his day. All of a sudden, I was met with orange cones and a big sign that said “Road Closed.”

Photo Credit:(ddpavumba) www.freedigitalphotos.net

How surprised was I?  There were no detour signs to warn me, just the sudden surprise of nowhere to go. For a second, I couldn’t remember an alternate route home. The GPS in my mind paused and said, “Umm…recalculating…” so I made a quick decision and turned into a parking lot.

Big mistake!

Another sign said, “One Way” pointing the opposite way and there was a police car a few feet away. Wow. I’d gotten myself into a whole heap of trouble in just a few seconds.

To make a long story short, I made it out ok. The police car was empty and no cars came from the opposite direction while I turned around.

Life can be similar. Obstacles can arise at any moment of our lives without warning. Obstacles can come in many different forms. For example, financial trouble, health problems, family issues or even personal losses, just to name a few.

So what can we do when troubles block our path and we don’t know where to turn?

We can turn to Jesus.

He knows the troubles we face in this world. In the Bible, He says, “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world. John 16:33 (NLT).

Jesus has been there and we can trust in Him through the good times and bad. He came to earth and experienced the things we go through and even died on the cross to save us. The great part is, death did not defeat him! He says, “I have overcome the world.”

When the GPS in my head is going crazy in my head, still saying “recalculating…” Jesus whispers, Come to me… “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Mathew 11:28). We don’t have to go through our troubles alone. He will be right there with us, if we only come to Him.

After all is said and done, His is the only voice I trust to lead me through the detour.

Thank you for reading and keep Shining for Him! :)