DO YOU TRUST YOUR JOURNEY?
Do You Trust Your Journey?
Do you trust your journey? Are you trusting the one who directs your steps? Trusting your journey means living a life of faith, believing in God’s promises.
“If you believe you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.” Matthew 21:22 (NIV)
Our Journeys are Unique to Each of Us
Our journeys are individual to each of us. My journey will not look like your journey, and your journey will be unique to you and your purpose. There may be similarities, but we are each made unique by God to fulfill His purpose for our lives. Although we may at times feel alone, we are not (God is always with us), and we must trust in the process.
Why is it so important to have faith and trust? As we begin our journey, it may take many years for our vision or dreams to be fulfilled. Take Sarah, for example, barren and feeling hopeless, her impatience gets the best of her, and her faith begins to waver. Taking matters into her own hands, she plans and directs the promise God spoke to her husband. She even went so far as to involve her husband in her plans, creating turmoil and strife within her family. Although her intentions were not to harm anyone, she caused much grief for many generations through her disobedience.
When We Begin to Doubt
Many of us begin our journey with excitement and joy. As the miles add up and the time passes, we may shift our focus from our journey to our friend’s journey. It may seem as if we are not making any progress, or perhaps the challenges are getting the best of us, so our thoughts begin to fill with doubt, and the excitement wanes. We are no longer looking ahead with joy because we have allowed our circumstances to steal it from us. We’re comparing our journey and progress with someone else’s, and their journey looks better. Maybe it’s because they are further along or achieving what we aspire to. Discouragement sets in, and we want to quit, to give up. The fun is over, and now there’s nothing but mountains to climb and barren wastelands to walk through. We begin to feel like the Egyptians in the desert, roaming around in circles, complaining about how things used to be (been there, done that).
Our Strength Comes from God
I wish I could say I’m forever faithful, but I wouldn’t be telling you the truth. I remember the five and a half years it took me to complete my doctorate. I wanted to quit the doctoral program so many times. The meltdowns, the tears, the declarations of “I can’t do this anymore” run through my mind (it wasn’t pretty). Thankfully, I had a few friends who had been there and done that, as well as my husband and sons, who encouraged me and reminded me just how far I’d come. Like the Egyptians, my faith was lacking, and when your faith begins to decrease, the grumbling and whining get louder!
Relying on God for strength and perseverance, combined with the encouragement and support of my husband, sons, and friends, I completed my doctorate. It was a long process, but it didn’t need to be as grueling as it was. As soon as I allowed my faith to waver, my confidence began to wane. Based on my experience, I encourage you to reach out to God for strength and reach out to your biggest supporters for encouragement when your journey begins to derail. Our strength comes from God and the fellowship with other believers; our stories bind us together. Our stories empower us in our journey. You never know who God has placed in your life who has walked the path before you.
Trust in Your Journey!
Whether you are in a new position, the middle of your grad studies, working on a vision, or embarking on a new chapter in life, trust in your journey. Do not allow discouragement or a lack of faith to derail you; it’s a process. And, should your thoughts begin to fill with doubt, fill your mind with God’s promises and trust in your journey!
“Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.” Isaiah 41:10 (NLT)
Are you on a journey that seems to have taken a detour, and you are no longer sure you’re heading in the right direction, God’s direction? Share your story below or reach out to me via email. My passion is to encourage, equip, and empower women in their journey, just as I have been encouraged, equipped, and empowered in mine!
Image Credits Lalana Arts Illustrations
“I can’t do this anymore,” has flown from my own mouth as well, Robin. And truly, trust sits at the foundation. He’s a faithful Father. Happy to visit you today from #chasingcommunity.
Thank you for sharing Kristi! I agree – when the moment gets the best of me, I need to turn to God!
Ughhh…. I couldn’t help but let out a groan as I read this. I’m SO right there today and really needed your encouraging words. Thank you for helping me move past some destructive thoughts threatening to spin out of control!
Amen Liz! The negative thoughts can spin out of control in seconds! There are some days I just need to unplug and spend time in reflection to stop the spinning!
Life can be challenging, and during that time we need to trust the process, trust God and his plans for our life!
Amen Misty!
I’m struggling a lot with these days with the first verse you used. I’ve been accused of being honest and I guess this is why. So many have prayed for the rains to cease in Houston and now for this monster hurricane in Irma to go away only to be answered no. Do we believe? Yes. I’m not trying to be contrary or difficult, just expressing my struggle at this time. Keep writing. Keep encouraging. Keep sharing the good news!
Oh Debby, I hear you and so does God. I am reading a book by Pastor David Crosby, The Care Effect: Unleashing the Power of Compassion. HIs church is located in New Orleans and they felt the impact of Katrina. I am so amazed that this is the book for my course, A Sense of Call to Leadership. I started reading this required book this week on the cusp of Hurricane Harvey and the impending Hurricane Irma. I want to share a quote from the book (I have several!) “God often speaks His most powerful word in the midst of the storm.” Pastor Crosby shared, “And the storm washed us out of our pews and into the streets and lanes of our city. This is the revival of the church that has already happened and continues to happen to this day in the City of New Orleans…” “Katrina means purification.” Tell me those words from the book aren’t inspiring and God led! Let’s pray for one another through our struggles and doubts. How can I pray for you? Always feel free to reach out via email or FB!
Oh wow, Robin! That quote from the book really speaks volumes. Thank you for sharing that!
Thank you Leslie! It is an inspiring book!
Robin, this was a really good article and very encouraging. Lots of food for thought! And well timed, too. Thank you!
Thank you for stopping by and connecting!
We’re all on different journeys, but it seems like discouragement and the temptation to give up is common to all of them. Thanks for the encouragement!
Thank you Shannon! I must say my journey the last few days has been quite the experience with Hurricane Irma! Blessed!
Hello Robin, Darling! Thanks for stopping by my blog earlier today. Your words really blessed me. What a lovely blog you have here. I love the colors and art work! I particularly enjoyed this post trusting your journey. I knew I had to read it as soon as I clicked over. I’m having a particularly difficult time enjoying my journey – but you know…that’s got to stop! I know better, but I guess I needed your reminder. LOL! And I really appreciate it. What a blessing this post has been.