Unexpected Journeys

read›
Psalms 23:1
Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be
afraid, for You are close beside me. Your rod and Your staff protect and
comfort me (v.4).

Unexpected journeys. Little and big—life is full of
them. A quick trip to the grocery store turns into
a car accident, injuries, and several months of
recuperation. A routine drive home from work turns into
a breakdown on the highway and a lengthy wait for a
tow truck. A call on the cell phone turns into the news
that someone you loved has passed away. A checkup
with the doctor reveals that the cancer is back with a
vengeance.


We can negotiate the little unexpected journeys of
life—mostly. The big, unexpected journeys, however, can
turn our lives upside down. During such times, some of
us have a faith that remains solid. Some of us genuinely
resonate with what David wrote about in Psalms 23:4:
“Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not
be afraid, for You are close beside me. Your rod and
Your staff protect and comfort me.”


Others of us have more of a struggle. We go through
times when we experience what David wrote about
in Psalms 22:1, “My God, my God, why have You
abandoned me? Why are You so far away when I groan
for help?”


Are you going through one of those major unexpected
journeys of life? Is your faith like the one found in Psalms 23:1? Or do you find yourself in the place David spoke
from in Psalms 22:1? Wherever you are, don’t pretend with
God. Know that He is gracious and meets you where you are.
God doesn’t want us to stay in the opening verses of Psalms 22:1. But David’s
highs and lows recorded in the Psalms show us that during difficult, unforeseen
journeys of life there are moments for both ardent faith and honest pain.


—Jeff Olson



more›
Read Jesus’ “Psalms 22:1” moment in Mark 15:34.


next›
What struggle or personal pain have you been trying to hide from
God? Why is it vital that we confess our true spiritual and emotional
conditions to Him?


jasmine from spiritclips on godtube.