The other day, I wanted to hit my favorite grocery store on the way home from work that was a little out of the way and meant I would have to go through downtown Orlando at rush hour. But it was worth it and I had the extra time on this particular day to patiently sit in traffic, which always feels like walking would be more “efficient”.

But to my surprise it was smooth sailing. I even think I hit every green light. Added bonus.

Now, “fun foods” in hand, I would get home earlier than I had anticipated and would have time to relax before meeting up with friends.

And then it happened. 2 extra lights to get out of the parking lot and onto the main road. But no big deal, I could see a big semi up ahead on this 2 lane road so that must be causing the slight delay. I eventually was able to sneak past the semi thinking it would be smooth sailing as I would be exiting what is typically the most condensed area of downtown and would be back on my much quieter roads for the rest of my route home.

To my disappointment, this was not the case and getting around the semi only opened up my view to the miles of stand still traffic up ahead. It wasn’t an accident because no one was turning around, so I patiently sat as I knew my turn-off was just a couple of miles ahead. What seemed like an eternity later (probably 15 minutes at most), I was finally just a few “spots” away from making my turn to what I thought would be the end of the congestion.  Excitedly grabbing the wheel to make the sharp turn I glanced up to the most horrifying sight I could imagine…. Road closed.

Do you ever feel like the powers at be are conspiring against you? I will admit, that is how I felt on this particular day. Every turn I took to reach my destination felt like something was opposing my plans. But worse, was actively trying to thwart my evening plans.

Ok, now that might be a bit dramatic for such a small thing, but it made me think of how it must feel to be going through “neurologic rehabilitation”.

Life is going along good. You are living a good life. Raised good kids. Established a successful career. You are looking forward to all the exciting moments you will have as you move closer to retirement. And then your life is changed by a neurologic injury. For you, it might feel like a complete road closure. Or, maybe just an endless two-lane road with nothing but stop-and-go traffic for miles up ahead. 3 steps forward, 2 steps back, 1 step forward, 1 step back…. And so on.

In this season of life, it might be easy to blame yourself, others, or your creator. Given my response to something as silly as a road closure, I know the direction my tendencies lean. Progress, not perfection. But I digress.

For those that blame themselves, maybe you are telling yourself your lack of discipline or your behaviors (past and/or present) are to blame.

Or

Maybe it is a parent, your spouse, or your boss who has/is conspiring against you.

Or,

Maybe your “road blocks” are the doings of your creator. The only plausible explanation is the God of the universe wants me to “suffer”.

My unfortunate encounter with the roadblock was not “life-altering” in any sense.  But it was instructive. After my brief moment of frustration, (and returning to the reality of “first world problems”), I made the u-turn and began the seemingly long journey out of the congestion toward a route hugging the outer edges of (what seems like) all of central Florida. 

Of course I completely acknowledge the silliness of this event in comparison to what you may be experiencing. But it was at this point that I had 2 choices. Assume the universe was conspiring against me. Or option two, my God and creator was working for me. I chose the latter. Frustration resolved. But more than that, I now had 45 minutes to create. Create ideas for new content. “Exercise” my gratitude muscle. And plan for the week ahead.

You see, here is the truth. God is for you and not against you.

You may or may not have “done something” contributing to your your situation.

Your family/boss/friends may or may not have contributed to your situation.

But God is greater than all of this. He creator you, and me, and the people who may have “wronged” you. And he loves you.  He loves you the way a father loves a child and will do everything in his power to make His children successful.  He is giving you opportunities every single day to make your situation the best it can be because that is what a father who loves His children does.

But here is the hard part. Without believing that this is true (God is working all things for your good according to his will) you might miss it. Your frustration, anger, shame is too loud. The doubt, fear, and worry is too heavy. And the skeptism, cynism, and pessimism is too dark to allow you to move around the road blocks and through the dense traffic to the open roads.

On the other hand, believing that there is a power in you that is greater is freedom.

Not that life is perfect, but that He is perfect.

Not that the road of life won’t have road blocks, but that He will help you navigate another route.

And maybe, just maybe, the route will lead you “around the busy, congested city” on a path full of opportunities.

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