My Walk - Finding The Correct Path...

Life, in itself, is a journey. A journey that is much like navigating through a dense forest. Without the correct guidance, or a compass, we can wander aimlessly for years, completely lost. We can encounter multiple paths during this period of being lost and these paths can either lead us to freedom or take us further into the deep, dark recesses of the forest. Regardless of the path we choose, there will be times when we will stumble and we will fall. Even when the correct path is chosen, there will be obstacles. Sadly, there are those that never find their way out of the darkness of the forest. They may choose the wrong path and forge ahead, never turning back. Others may become overwhelmed or exhausted and simply give up looking for the correct path.

However, there is always, available to everyone, a path to freedom. For centuries, people have turned to the sun for direction when lost. Finding your way from the dense forest of life is a similar concept. No matter how long you have been lost or how hopeless you may feel, turn to the Son for guidance. While the path may still be difficult at times, He will lead you out of the forest and eventually into the light of the clearing.

How do I know this to be true? Because I spent many years lost in that forest, confident that I didn't need any help in finding my way. I was convinced that I knew best. Yet, most of the time, it was a lonely and terrifying place. As I grew older, my life had less and less meaning. I felt envy, shame, guilt and I truly hated myself. I fought with depression and anxiety for years. Over time, I reached a point that I just wanted to go to sleep and never wake up. In my mind, that seemed the only way to stop the mental, emotional and physical pain.

Did the thought of suicide ever cross my mind? Yes, on more than one occasion. Did I ever attempt suicide? No. Fortunately, for me, I had family members that were actively involved in church. I began to look at their lives and tried to understand where they found the strength to cope with adversity. I asked questions. I read books, including the Bible. I researched and read Christian related articles on the Internet. I would go to the local hospital, sit in the chapel alone and read scripture, asking God to help me understand. I started listening to a local Contemporary Christian radio station. All of these things, combined, resulted in me beginning to look at life from a different perspective. However, the defining moment, the exact time that I knew that God was at work in my life came quite unexpectedly. I was driving and a song came on the radio. It was as if the song had been written specifically for me, written about me. It expressed all of the feelings that I had bottled up inside. It seemed as if God was placing his arm around my shoulder and saying, "I understand. I am here." The walls that I had built around myself began to crumble and the tears began to flow. They weren't tears of depression or hopelessness as I had cried so many times before. They were tears representing a clarity that I had never known. I cried and thanked God and continued crying. THIS was the beginning of "My Walk". For those of you who may be wondering, the song that day was, I Am Yours, by Casting Crowns.

God does work in mysterious ways. He came to me that day through the speakers of my car's stereo system. I would like to thank (and highly recommend) both Casting Crowns and WJIE radio station. For whatever reason, their ministries were the avenue which God chose to reach me on that day and I will be forever grateful.

For those of you who may still be seeking a way out of the forest, look to the Son. A good place to start is by opening your Bible to Matthew 7:7.

Thanks to all for stopping by and reading my posts. Please feel free to check back often for updates. May God bless each of you and your families.