Life can truly throw us curveballs. Whether it resembles the eye of a hurricane, or even our own wilderness, there are times that we could easily focus on our circumstances feeling lost, confused and without direction. The best thing to do is keep doing what we know to do: trust God. Follow his lead. Look for the good at all times.

Trust that God is who he says he is, and believe that his word is truth. He never changes. He never leaves. God is always with us and continually going before us.

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
— Hebrews 13:8 ESV

Be strong. Take courage. Don’t be intimidated. Don’t give them a second thought because God, your God, is striding ahead of you. He’s right there with you. He won’t let you down; he won’t leave you.
— Deuteronomy 31:6 MSG

Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.
— Isaiah 41:10 NLT

“Don’t be afraid, I’ve redeemed you. I’ve called your name. You’re mine. When you’re in over your head, I’ll be there with you. When you’re in rough waters, you will not go down. When you’re between a rock and a hard place, it won’t be a dead end.”
— Isaiah 43:2 MSG

We often think it would be easier to come up with plan B, to compromise, but there is purpose in God’s plan. He is intentionally placing our steps and using whatever is in our path to prepare us for other things and to strengthen our relationship with him. Getting ahead of what God reveals puts me in a place that I may not be ready for, whether it is prepared for the battle I might face, or even the blessing that is waiting for me. So I just have to know that God is always greater. He knows what is best. He is working for my good. He purposely places my steps, and I am going to choose to follow him.

For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.

— Isaiah 55:8–9 ESV

Within your heart you can make plans for your future, but the Lord chooses the steps you take to get there.
— Proverbs 16:9 TPT

God is so good! I will never run out of reasons to praise Jesus. He loves me as I am and where I am. His mercy, grace and love know no limit. The Lord fills me and lifts me up, and I can always find a reason to worship him. There are days where life is hard, but joy can be found. It isn’t a spin on a situation. It’s the reality that God is always at work, so I will always seek to find and know the good. I may not choose my circumstance, but I can always choose my joy.

I will praise the Lord at all times. I will constantly speak his praises. I will boast only in the Lord; let all who are helpless take heart. Come, let us tell of the Lord’s greatness; let us exalt his name together. I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears.
— Psalm 34:1–4 NLT

Always be joyful. Never stop praying.  Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
— 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 NLT

Over the past few weeks, I have given a lot of thought to the detours in my life. I have been reminded that there are family members who wouldn’t be my family, and friends I would never have come to know or do life with, without the detours that God chose for me and those closest to me. I cannot imagine my life without these people and relationships, and I wouldn’t even want to try. This alone reminds of the joy and purpose to be found in the journey. Have you ever thought about what you would have missed out on if God hadn’t planned for the wilderness journeys in your life? In our family, we say God is always saving you from something and/or saving you for something, and I feel blessed and thankful to know that this is true.