Life’s Detours—God’s Plan or Not? By Jan Stroman

Our guest blogger today is Janice Stroman, Ed.D. Jan, a native of Hot Springs, Arkansas, now lives in Las Colinas, Texas. She is the Founder and Director of “Ladies in Touch,” a ministry group that connects with God and others. She is a Bible Study Leader and Teacher, Writer and Blogger of “Jan’s Jewels for Jesus,” that can be found on the Ladies in Touch website, www.ladiesintouch.com.

Jan is also a private music teacher and an Irving League of Volunteers Member and an Irving Salvation Army Advisory Council Member. She has extensive experience in Educational Leadership and Teacher Training and has taught all ages and grades from Elementary School through Graduate School. Both her Masters and Doctoral degrees are related to research on how to teach the reading-writing process more effectively.

Jan’s Hobbies include decorating, gardening, photography, cooking, and entertaining. Most of all she loves, and is dedicated to helping others discover the reality of a faith-based life. She is married to David, her husband of 55 years. They have one son and two handsome grandsons who are the joy of her life.

Are you currently in a Life Detour that has you worried or scared? Or maybe you’re thinking that you are completely alone and Jesus doesn’t care? Perhaps your situation has depleted you of both emotional and physical strength to the point of feeling numb and depleted of all energy.

Please allow me to share with you, my precious friend, that I have been there. In fact, I am right there with you as I write and share these thoughts. Yes, the detour I’m experiencing seems impossible and without any hope. Ever been there? Are you there now?

Jesus tells us in the Bible that He will never leave us or forsake us. He reminds us of that one lost sheep that He took time to find and rescue. Maybe you are the sheep that needs help or rescuing. Could it be that someone very close to you might need to be rescued? Do you ever literally feel like crying out to God, “HELP! AND MAKE IT QUICK!  

I am once again reminded that Jesus says in His Word, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man comes to the Father, except through me.” It is only through Him and by Him that any of us can find our way out of darkness and despair. He longs to be our dearest and closest friend. He says that we are to cast our burden upon Him because He will never give us more than we can endure. “For my yoke is easy to bear, and my load is not hard to carry.”  He asks us to believe in Him with all of our heart, body, mind, and soul, and as we travel though this rough time or detour together, when we do what He asks, we will feel His presence walking along beside us. If we are too weak to walk, He will carry us. Jesus will never leave or forsake us if we keep focused on His everlasting and precious love for us.

So if something or someone has caused you to feel afraid, sad, lonely, rejected, or without hope, think of the words of the familiar chorus entitled “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus.”

“Turn your eyes upon Jesus. Look full in His wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim, In the light of His glory and grace.”

A friend who is currently fighting a fierce battle with cancer often sings this chorus when the battle she faces begins to wear her down. I’ve literally seen fear and distress disappear from her face as she sings this chorus. Peace and joy instantly replace fear and distress.

Why? The answer lies in the words of the chorus I shared with you. When you look into the face of the One who is Love personified and trust in Him as a child, then and only then, will you find that everlasting peace that passes all understanding.

Try looking into the glorious face of Jesus. Feel His loving arms surround you and His enduring peace rest within you. “Be still and know that I am God” (Psalms 46:10).