While walking the other day, I found myself a little annoyed that my normal path had been blocked off by some construction work that was in progress. So I proceeded to take an alternate path. The alternate path, unlike my normal path, was sunny and hot. Plus it was not as pretty as my normal path. On my normal path, I enjoyed flowers and trees, as well as plenty of shade.
However, as I proceeded down the alternate path, God spoke to my heart and reminded me, that as we walk with Him, He will often call us out of the comfort of the beautiful scenery we have come to know. Instead, He will allow us to journey into places that are less comfortable. He does this for various reasons, but some that He brought to my mind are 1) we learn to trust Him as we venture into the unknown 2) we learn to persevere, even when our circumstances are not easy 3) we learn the importance of obedience 4) we grow in our faith as we see God’s provision 5) we learn to see beauty in the things and people that the world does not see as beautiful 6) he is protecting us from evil 7) we learn to walk in love.
If you think about it, shade feels nice and there are times we need it, but our bodies also need sunshine. There are reasons God allows the Earth to experience different seasons, and it works the same for us. He will allow us to go through various seasons, but through it all, when we seek to do His will, His purposes are being accomplished.
So when the Lord calls you out of the comfortable shade, don’t be afraid to take the detour, even if it’s hot, and not as attractive. There are always blessings waiting down the path of obedience, and the path of obedience, is often an alternate path that He will require us to take.
Proverbs 3:5-6 NLT, “5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. 6 Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.”
Drawing Closer to Christ 
Amen, Dawn. It feels like I’ve been on one of those alternate paths—as of late. “Waiting to be,” is a good way to describe it. God wants to grow our faith in him, and that sometimes means being uncomfortable. 🙏His richest blessings to you!
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Keep going on that alternate path, David! Although it’s challenging, God is working things out for you. Thank you, blessings!
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What an inspiring application. Thank you, Dawn, for sharing this with us. I have had a lot of discomfort over the past few months. I am thankful for the reminder that God is there through it all, and He has a purpose for the sunshine and the shade alike. ♥️
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You’re welcome Bridget! Yes, He is there. I have to remind myself of that too. Sunshine or shade, He’s there! Thank you! Blessings. ❤️
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Thank you for sharing this, Dawn. In most cases, God uses alternate routes to teach us lessons and grow our faith. ☺
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You’re welcome Chris! That’s true. And those lessons are life changing.
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Amen, Dawn. Taking a detour often makes us depend on him more. It makes us experience him a different way and grows us. Reminding myself that he is working good in me through the situation gives me hope.
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It’s always a blessing to remember that he is working good through the situations we face. That does bring hope! Thanks Manu, blessings!
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It’s always the discomfort and the unknowns that unsettles us, but trust in the Lord is important
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Yes, I agree. I try and remember the rewards we receive from learning to trust Him. Thanks Brenda, blessings!
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Thank you for this timely thought, Dawn. It is so reassuring to know that whatever path we may be surprised to be on, He is not surprised as He walks with us and encourages us. x
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You’re welcome and that is true. He is never surprised and is always with us.
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It is easy to get set in our ways and resist change; however, detours can help us to learn and grow in our faith.
Thanks, Dawn, for the inspiring post! 💗🌷🌺
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You’re welcome Jeanne! Growing in faith is one of the best parts.
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God’s detours in our lives lead us to new adventures although at the time it may not seem to be so.
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Very true! We don’t always understand the adventure but we can trust Him.
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I love your words Dawn
I find discomfort as a gateway to something greater, and growth of course. God tells us to walk by faith and not sight especially when we are going through turbulent times. Thanks for sharing such an inspiring message and stay blessed
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Thank you. Walking by faith can be a challenge, but I am glad He helps us. You are welcome.
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While at work this week, I was wondering if I’d grow as a person or a Christian if I had the ability to skip over the hard parts of life. I concluded that I need the hard times in order to mature even though I will fight to avoid them or get out of them. This post reminded me of that mind wondering that I did at work. Please keep walking forward with God.
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Thank you for the encouragement and for sharing your thoughts. I agree, the hard times do help us to mature, and we are prone to try and get out of it. But as we walk by faith, we will see God working things out for our good.
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Dawn, this testament speaks honestly with the Gospel out and front of us. I am reminded to appreciate God’s “seemingly unplanned” detours. Blessings.
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Yes, we never know what route He will carry us on. Thanks Richard. 🤗
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So true. We have to trust the Lord that He will take us through when the path gets tough.
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Amen. And trusting Him brings intimacy with Him.
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