When you've gone down the Wrong Path - Daughters of the Creator

You make known to me the path of life.

Psalm 16:11

I’m a little directionally challenged—I can understand the general directions, but as soon as someone gives me too much information—I’m lost. I try to pay attention to road marks and signs, but many times I get distracted by the journey.

This happens to many of us on the life journey. We think we’re going the right way until we arrive and realize that we’re not where we want to be. Some of us can get upset at God, ourselves, and others. While many of us just keep doing what we’ve done even though we know we’re in the wrong place. What should we do when we’ve gone down the wrong PATH?

P – Pause yourself.
“The highway of the upright turns aside from evil; whoever guards his way preserves his life.” (Proverbs 16:17)

When we recognize that we are on the wrong path, we need to turn off of it and on to the right path. Staying in the wrong lane will never lead us to the right place. Many times, it will only delay what God has for us in the future.

A – Ask the God for wisdom and clarity.
“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” (James 1:5)

We can have knowledge of what the right way to go, but lack the wisdom on how to apply that knowledge. It’s up to us to ask God for wisdom so that we aren’t wasting our time in the places He doesn’t want us. The Lord will generously provide the wisdom we need to get on the right path.

T – Trust and have faith in the God of your life journey.
“When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.” (John 16:13)

As believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, we have the gift of the Holy Spirit who speaks to our hearts and minds about the right direction. He will never lead us to a lie—only the truth as long as we are willing to hear and obey.

H – Humble yourself and move in the right path.
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.: (1 Peter 5:8)

The hardest part is admitting our faults after going on the wrong path. By humbling ourselves under God’s hand, we can sense the release from pride and know His gentle leading in the right direction.