I recently went hiking with my twin brother and his wife and their son on a family vacation. My brother was a little hesitant to go on this 3-mile adventure because his son is only 4 years old and, at any moment, could decide to have a meltdown. Not to mention, we were pretty far from civilization, which meant there was the potential of things going wrong, really wrong.

Yet despite my brother’s concerns, me being the optimistic brother that I am, reassured him that it would be fine and a lot of fun for his son, my nephew. After all, my nephew was having a blast the entire 45 min car ride leading up to the place where we would be going hiking. Life was great.
But that peaceful, happy, blissful state was short lived. From the very start of the hike, my nephew wanted to be held…the entire time…for 3 miles!!

“Mommy hold me! Moooooooooommmmmmy hold me!!” my nephew shouted.

Finally, we convinced him that it was okay to walk alongside us, only to hear more tears. He said sand and small pebbles were getting into his shoes. Off and on the remainder of the trip all of us adults took turns carrying him on our shoulders up and down hills. Eventually that even bothered him. We were in the most beautiful woods and saw the most breathtaking views into the North Georgia Mountains, but that didn’t matter to him. He was too focused on his comfort, or lack thereof.

As we continued to hike, I was reminded that we, as Christians, can act the same way toward God. If anything is out of the ordinary or life gets a little bit bumpy or uncomfortable, then we have meltdowns and refuse to walk any further! The Bible says in Exodus 13:17-18 NLT, “When Pharaoh finally let the people go, God did not lead them along the main road that runs through Philistine territory, even though that was the shortest route to the Promised Land. God said, ‘If the people are faced with a battle, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.’ So God led them in a roundabout way through the wilderness toward the Red Sea…” God did not take His people the most direct route to the land He promised to give them – a land flowing with mild and honey. He took them on a unique, winding journey. He even led them up against the Red Sea and had Pharaoh’s army chase after them. Only to do something that had never been done before. He parted the Red Sea and had His people walk along on dry ground! Then when the Egyptians tried to go after them, the water came crashing down on top of soldiers. A marvelous victory! Yet after this incredible miracle, the Israelites still complained because they didn’t have water. Then they complained because they didn’t have food. Then they complained because they didn’t have meat. On and on it went. And eventually they complained because there were “giants” in the land that God wanted to give them. They simply could not see what God was up to. They doubted His goodness and faithfulness and refused to trust Him, just like my nephew refused to trust his dad.

This short hike was a boy’s dreamland. There were huge trees, boulders and rock outcroppings…an entire forest to explore, sticks for swords…an incredible adventure awaiting him. Yet, no matter how much we tried to convince him that he was going to have an amazing time, he just couldn’t see past his discomfort.

Sadly, like my nephew missing out on a good time, most of God’s people, the Israelites, didn’t make it to their Promise Land. Their doubt and unbelief and complaining attitudes kept them from experiencing God’s best. Out of an entire generation, only two of them, Joshua and Caleb, were allowed to enter the land God swore to give them. What a sobering thought.

Could the discomfort and challenges you are facing today actually be tests God is using to develop your character, maturing you so you can receive all the good things God wants to give you and do through you? Instead of looking at the trials and irritations in your life as negative things, ask God to help you see from His vantage point. He sees further and knows your story from the beginning to the end. Like a loving father, our Heavenly Father, is ever present in our situations, watching over us, making sure we are taken care of and leading us towards our divine, God-given destinies.
So the next time you find yourself wanting to complain because sand is you your shoes or you simply don’t want to walk up a hill, so to speak, remember that God is leading you down a path that will bring great joy and fulfillment to you. Trust Him when life doesn’t make sense. He sees the big picture, the whole playing field. And He, more than anyone else, has your best interest at heart. Throughout time He has proven Himself over and over again that He can be trusted. If you make some mistakes along the way where you find yourself complaining or having a meltdown, receive His grace, then stop and ask God for His help to see from His perspective. He is gently inviting you to trust Him with the big picture, so get back up, dust yourself off, and start taking steps of faith and obedience, even when life doesn’t seem fair. One day as you look back over the course of your life, you will see that God was leading you all along. In fact, you will see that God was weaving together the perfect tapestry…the story of your life. And you will see, as countless others have throughout time, that you can trust the One who is in complete control.

Proverbs 3:5-6 NLT
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.”