When your Life Journey goes South

You will do well to send them on their journey in a manner worthy of God.

3 John 6

What does it mean when your life journey suddenly turns south? It’s when your life suddenly turns another direction that wasn’t in your plans. Perhaps your marriage or significant relationship is about to end, you may lose your job, you’ve been told that you have a serious illness, or your children have turned away from God.

The beauty of when our life journey goes south is that God never leaves us. In fact, He specifically uses our heartbreak, tragedies, and trials to make us more like His Son. Learn the 4 P’s of Prepare, Purpose, Press and Pray:

Prepare to let release our plans to God. “Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand. (Proverbs 19:21) We have our plans, but God has His greater purpose. When He pulls us out of our comfort place, He proves our faith and broadens our view of the world.

Purpose in your heart and mind that God will be glorified through it. “Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name.” (1 Peter 4:16) We draw the line in our hearts that everything that happens to us must first filter through God’s fingers of love. He will not only help us through it, but use our witness, words, and actions to help others as they work through these same struggles.

Press in to the Lord with everything you have within you. “She came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment, and immediately her discharge of blood ceased. And Jesus said, “Who was it that touched me?” (Luke 8:43-48) There’s a difference in our prayers and scripture study when we are desperate for a God intervention. There is a sweet communion and relationship with God when we press into Him during our times of trials.

Pray for wisdom and strength to complete the life journey well. “I, wisdom, dwell with prudence, and I find knowledge and discretion….I have counsel and sound wisdom; I have insight; I have strength.” (Proverbs 8:12-14) God gives us the wisdom and strength to go the length of our life journey if we would only humble ourselves to ask of Him. God knows the beginning and end of everything and we can depend on Him to lead us in the right way.