Finding your way when things don’t seem to be going your way can be frustrating. It’s even more frustrating when you thought you were going the way you were supposed to be going and things still aren’t turning around or doing what you need.

You are lost and you aren’t even sure how you got lost.

If you are going to get to where you are supposed to go then you need to find your way to get unlost.

Daily Inspiration and Encouragement

February 3, 2020

Daily Dash of Twisted Encouragement

Finding Your Way When You Discover You Might Be Lost

This morning I watched a squirrel digging around in the yard. I live out in the woods, so wildlife abounds in the yard in front of my office. This squirrel dug around for what seemed like forever before he finally uncovered a nut.

My morning walk took me right in the path where the squirrel was now digging. I knew that a few feet away he could find a pile of acorns waiting to be enjoyed. It’s like the oak tree above the trail had neatly gathered its harvest for the friendly forest creates.

Instead of sitting by the pile enjoying the bounty, the squirrel dug in the grass off to the side.

These last few weeks, I’ve felt like that squirrel. I’m digging around doing things to find what I need when what I need is sitting in a nice little pile at the bend of the river just a few feet away.

I have not, because I’m not in the right place.

I’m referencing the story in 1 Kings 17 where Elijah is fed by ravens. The story illustrates how God provides even in times when the world lacks. Each time I read the story I wonder what would have happened if Elijah had stopped before he got to the place where God told him to go.

In my mind, Elijah would have seen the ravens flying overhead. He might even have gotten a few crumbs of bread dropped around him. It’s also likely that he would have been showered with a few bird droppings along the way.

All because he made the choice to stop before he got to where God told him to go.

When things are not going the way I expected them to go, I know God hasn’t taken back His promises. I’m just not quite to the bend of the river yet. I’m a squirrel digging a few feet away from the bounty.

How do you get to there when you don’t even know you’re not there now?

Tips to Getting UnLost

Every now and then you get lost. You wander down a path you thought you needed to be on only to find the pavement ended or that the trail has disappeared. When you get to the point of lost then you have to find your way to get unlost.

• Admit you are lost. Nothing will cause more issues to the journey than refusing to admit you’re lost. You’ll waste a lot of time, energy, and additional resources wandering around nowhere trying to get somewhere until you admit that you aren’t anywhere you should be.

• Go back to where you were. When you lose something or just lose your way, go back to where you were when you knew (unless you are hiking – in which case you stay where you are and make noise until someone finds you, but when you are journeying in life you go back). Go back to the place where you remember feeling peace about the journey or certainty about the next step.

• Evaluate the situation. Work to pinpoint the moment you started doubting. Maybe you didn’t feel quite lost but you knew something wasn’t quite right. Determine what was going on or what actions you were taking at the time.

• Expect to change. Even when you go back to where it was working before, you are going back as a different you. In order to move forward, you will have to find your new unique way.

• Shake it off. Everyone gets lost now and then. Sometimes you have the directions wrong. Sometimes the trail signs have moved. Sometimes you’ve grown to the point the trail you are on is not the trail you need to be on now. Don’t get caught in the fact you got lost, but use the lost moment to grow even more.

Being lost doesn’t mean you are a lost cause. It simply means you have to back up, turn around, or recalibrate so you can find your right way.

The promise hasn’t changed. It’s right there, just out of view, waiting for you to partake of its bounty. When you find that you are struggling or things are not going the way you expected then it may be time to consider if you are lost so that you can make the better choices for finding your way.

What do you do when you feel lost?

Challenge for Intentional Actions

Finding Your Way

Admit you are lost.
Go back to where you were last on target.
Evaluate the situation to pinpoint the miss moments.
Expect to change.
Shake it off.

The bolder you are in the journey, the easier it can be to take a step off the trail, or to follow the wrong turn in the trail, or to just plow ahead without watching the trail. It’s okay if you get lost as long as you are willing to admit you are lost and adjust to finding your way back on track.

Quote of the Day

“Determine to keep going even when circumstances don’t behave.”
– Kathryn Lang

What Others Say

Scripture Focus

Today’s Readings:

Leviticus 9 – 12
2 Kings 6 – 10
Ezekiel 5 – 8
Proverbs 3

Scripture Focus:

“Wisdom and discretion shall be life to your soul and grace to your neck. You will walk in your way safely and your foot will not stumble.” – from Proverbs 3: 22 – 23

Ponder Point:

The only way to not lose your way is to say in His way. The only way to stay in His way is to stay focused on and connected with Him. When you have His Wisdom as your lead then you will not stumble and you will stay safe.

Share Moment:

How does it feel in your walk when you know wisdom is leading the way?

Study Question

Dig in deeper to the Word to grow a closer relationship with the Word.

What does it look like when you fully trust in the Lord?

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