Proverbs 23:19

“Listen, my son, and be wise; keep your mind on the right course.” CSB

One morning I was preparing to go to the hospital to get an x-ray. I had the television on watching the news while I was getting ready. Right before I walked out the house to get in the car, I heard something on the broadcast that surprised me.

After I got in my car, I started thinking about what I heard and started to get irritated. As I drove down the street, I started to get angrier and angrier. Along the way to the hospital, I found myself envisioning an entire, intense conversation…complete with responses to my comments and rebuttals…all in my mind. And since I have a pretty vivid imagination, I could see the people with whom I was arguing. Whenever they replied with something “crazy”, I would immediately comeback with the “killer response”. I was going to win this argument…all in my mind.

Well, I pulled in the parking lot of the hospital, parked the car and then it dawned on me…I was at the wrong hospital! The one I was supposed to go to was five miles away. I immediately started the car and proceeded to drive to the other hospital. It was only five miles away, but morning traffic in Houston can make a five mile journey last forever.

I had gotten so engrossed in my thoughts and feelings, that I missed my turn to go to the correct hospital. Needless to say, I was late for my appointment.

The Bible is full of examples of God providing guidance in the lives of His people. In the book of Exodus, God provided Moses and led the nation of Israel visibly by pillars of a cloud and fire for 40 years. God provided the Scriptures (and in particular the book of Proverbs) to help guide our thoughts, emotions and conduct in every aspect of daily life. In the New Testament, God provided the indwelling Holy Spirit through Christ, and His Word to guide us in our hearts.

But just like going for my x-ray appointment, we often “miss our turns” in life and end up in a situation where we did not expect, or want to go. With me, my thoughts “consumed” my thinking and once my emotions got involved, it was “game over” — I ended up at the wrong hospital.

What is causing you to “miss your turn” in life and end up in a situation that is not God’s best for you? What is causing you to make unwise decisions and take your thoughts, attitudes and actions “off course”? Could it be:

• Anger
• Disappointment with God or others
• Ungodly desires
• Selfish ambitions
• Pride
• Unforgiveness
• Idolatry in some form
• Desire to please others
• Lack of faith
• Fear
• Past hurts
• You’ve gotten “comfortable” in your negative emotions
• Lack of time with the Lord

Once you receive Christ as your Savior and Lord, the Spirit inside you will guide you. The type of fruit He naturally produces in life is listed in Galatians 5:22-23. Philippians 4:6-8 provides the perfect set of instructions to keep you from “missing your turn”; through prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, you will experience His peace. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding; in all your ways know Him, and He will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5-6)