NOT A STRAIGHT COURSE BUT BLESSINGS IN DISGUISE.

"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose".
 Romans 8:28

A straight course is not always the shortest distance between where we are and where we want to be.  It 'might' be another short distance to  confusion or probably destruction.

Although we have our lives all planed out and we just work in line with it. But really it doesn't happen that way most of the time. There has to be some points God displaces our plans and replaces it with His. Trust me it doesn't seem like what we want at first but at the end all those interruptions from God into our lives work together for our good. Therefore having it at the back of our minds that 'our ways and thoughts are not His' will help us work more with God, trust Him and with high hopes pull through any challenging phase of our lives.


Allowing God interrupt our straightway is also building humility in us. Humility in the sense that you're so down to nothing before God and you're beseeching His mercy and favour to lift you up. When you're prideful,you feel high about yourself so much you don't want to wait on anybody to grant your wish, you want it immediately. Pride would look for an alternative way rather than wait!  So you see, you build your humility.

This is also God building the patience in you.  It is already established that we can do nothing without God. So we have to wait patiently for His time to manifest. Here is the the thing. A strong faith is needed for this patience to actually not turnover to frustration at one point in the waiting period. Faith is what makes you (your patience) stand your ground even when all hopeless.

If you look back at previous challenges you've faced. You thought that was the end of you, you were starting to give up or maybe gave up already, but came out victorious by the grace of God. You realized then it was God that miraculously came through for you. Now is the time to have a taste of His mighty power again. Bringing us into unfathomable victory is His way of proving His power in our lives.

These times are also practically like pauses (not a full stop..... Your life is not over yet) that helps us 'arrange' our rapport with God, and also receive directions for the next phase. He actually wants to give you directions on what next to do but that can't happen if you already have chaos and confusion filling your thoughts and all senses of hearing to the brim. Just like you run to your best friend to tell everything, tell Him everything, pause (keeping your mind away from unhealthy engagements), listen and His directions will bring you into the next phase.


Challenges are like yardsticks for us to measure our growth.  I feel if you came out of a problem, you are now more powerful/stronger than it. You won't be scared when something similar comes your way and moreover you can help solve similar problems in others lives. Being able to help others through your experience is a certain level of growth.

I think it is safe to say the overcoming challenging periods of our lives helps curb passivity, laziness and 'turning back' in our lives. Let's take the Israelites as a case study. God made them pass the long route where there was a big red sea (which was there challenge among others) to cross. We were told in the scriptures, there was a shorter and faster route to pass but because God doesn't want his people turning back, He wanted them to learn some lessons and be well equipped for years to come, He made them pass the other way. When they finally crossed over,  they had kingdoms rising against them which they had to fight and overcome. Probably if they had passed the short route that time (with no red sea challenging them), as the wars were approaching them, they would have just 'walked' back quickly to their previous abode. Back to the captivity and stagnancy (in their case). Overcoming periods like this helps us to keep keeping on.

Without tough times, some of us would probably still not have outgrown some things. We might still be on the same spot. We might not have well of experiences to draw wisdom from. We might not have encountered God in His many miraculous ways.

So people, don't fret or pull yourself down when things are not going as you want it. These break in transmissions are for the best in your life. Instead e
mbrace those moments (I know it's not easy), but really brooding over it won't do any good either. Learn as much as you can from them. See them as stepping stones. You can't afford to fold up and immerse yourself in self pity. Continue to press on.





It will not always be a straight course in life, but it will be worth it. Be encouraged. Pray and give thanks to God in all these things. And patiently wait for your next phase and blessed days to come.

Sincerely
Pelumi Adeleke.