Have you ever traveled to another country and found everything to be unfamiliar? It’s to be expected, of course, this feeling of unusual. The people, dress, language, food, customs, even everyday items like toilet paper, are all different.
When interfacing with the unfamiliar, it feels awkward, perhaps, even scary. We long for that to which we are accustomed.
In a similar manner to visiting another country, life sometimes takes an abrupt turn, sending us down an unexpected path. Previously, the way was straight and smooth. We enjoy the even path, devoid of roadblocks and detours. Then, without warning, life veers sideways, and we find ourselves on an unfamiliar path, one not of our own choosing.
Following are reflections on traveling the unexpected path:
Uncertainty
Often, before traveling out of the US, one experiences a sense of uncertainty. I listened to the concerns of friends before they set out on a month-long overseas trip. Since their trip wasn’t a tour, they wondered about train schedules, places to eat, walking distances, and many other elements of travel.
Most of us want to know what is going to happen before it does, but life doesn’t work that way. We are often blindsided by the unexpected and must move forward while navigating a new, unfamiliar path.
Fear
Fear is a primary human emotion. Sometimes, fear catapults us into hasty decisions. Other times, fear prevents forward motion.
When we’re forced onto an unfamiliar path, fear rears its ugly head. Often, the anxiety produced by fear is worse than the unknown. And most of the time, what we fear is not nearly as devastating as we imagined.
Looking Back
When you’re traveling an unfamiliar path, is common to wish for what was, to look over your shoulder and view the old path as better.
The Children of Israel, on the way to the Promised Land, were masters at looking back, longing for their old life in Egypt. Apparently, they forgot the drudgery of slavery!
Sometimes, looking back produces regret, yet, remembering past hurdles we’ve overcome often spurs us onward.
Flying Blind
During the power outage following hurricane Helene, I learned a little about flying blind. Several times, I tried to navigate around the house without the aid of a flashlight. I quickly discovered toe-stumping pieces of furniture and walls as I miscalculated distances.
Traversing an unfamiliar path leaves us feeling slightly helpless, yet, like having a tour guide in a foreign land, help is available.
Embracing the Current Path
Widowhood is not a path I expected to be on at this age and stage of life. While I knew widowhood was probably in my future, 2024 was not the year I thought it would happen.
When thrust onto an unfamiliar path, we have the choice to embrace it, or be dragged down it, kicking and screaming, complaining and blaming. I can embrace my current path because I trust God’s plan, His timing, and His guidance. God’s guidance on an unfamiliar journey is like a highly-accurate GPS. No matter the fears, uncertainty, or how much we long for the past, He never leaves us to navigate an unfamiliar path alone. He is light in the darkness, and the smoother of rough places.
“I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them” (Isaiah 42:16 NIV).
©CandyArrington
Candy Arrington is an award-winning writer, blogger, and speaker. She often writes on tough topics with a focus on moving through, and beyond, difficult life circumstances. Candy has written hundreds of articles, stories, and devotions published by numerous outlets including: Inspiration.org, Arisedaily.com, CBN.com, Healthgrades.com, Care.com, Focus on the Family, NextAvenue.org, CountryLiving.com, and Writer’s Digest. Candy’s books include Life on Pause: Learning to Wait Well (Bold Vision Books), When Your Aging Parent Needs Care (Harvest House), and AFTERSHOCK: Help, Hope, and Healing in the Wake of Suicide (B&H Publishing Group).
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