The Unexpected Blessings of A Road Block

Author Deborah Rutherford reads her devotional "The Unexpected Blessing of A Road Block" from the new book "Unexpected Blessings: 40 Days of Discovering God's Best."A man’s heart plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps.–PROVERBS 16:9 NKJVGod asks me to hold my plans loosely, for He is the one who establishes my steps.What do you do when your path is blocked, disrupted, or changed?One morning, I was on a bike ride, and an enormous tree blocked the path. It had fallen the night before as winds blew up to 80 miles an hour. Soon, the city would be there to clear the way, but I had to turn around.Part of me was happy because I didn’t have to ride farther. I was also in awe of the storm’s power, which had brought down the massive tree before me. Surprisingly, I discovered something unexpected—the liberating freedom of adjusting my schedule because of an interruption that altered my course.Sometimes, I hold my plans, schedules, and to-do lists tightly with closed fists, but God asks me to hold my plans loosely, for He establishes my steps. When there is a disruption, I often find myself trying to fix the situation rather than depending on God.But today, on the bike path, God taught me to see His blessings in disruptions, direction changes, roadblocks, not-yets, and turnarounds.Because I know that God has the best intentions for my life, I can follow Him through the twists and turns, ups and downs, and this way and that way.God always leads us in the best possible way. But we have a choice whether to let an interruption knock us off course by realizing that the storm lasts only a while. Our setbacks, trials, and adversities reorient us to God and remove our self-sufficiency, which is also a roadblock. When we depend only on God, we receive all the blessings He has prepared for us.How do you handle disruptions, changes, roadblocks, and fallen trees?Just think about how calm and peaceful life will be when we embrace God’s path, even though we may not understand it as the day turns this way or that way. We can put worries aside and know that we are under God’s wing, where He protects and guides us.Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for establishing my steps and teaching me to hold my plans with open hands to receive Your best. Your way is my way. You lead, and I follow. I know no roadblock or fallen tree can stop what You have for me, and I lean into Your divine guidance, protection, and provision. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.When disruptions occur, do you see them as setbacks or believe they could be opportunities in disguise? First, meditate on Proverbs 16:9. Are you holding tightly onto your plans? If so, confess and repent, and then surrender to God, praising Him for all the wonderful blessings He has in store for you.We'd love to hear in the comments below.Our prayer is that in these 40 days, you will shift your perspective, trust God’s timing, lean into Jesus, and recognize His blessings in ways you never expected. Grab your copy today on AMAZON!ABOUT DEBORAH:Deborah Rutherford explores themes of faith, nature, healing, and grace. Her published works are Unexpected Blessings: 40 Days of Discovering God's Best, Prodigal Daughter: Poems of Light for Lost Ones" (2025 The Way Back Books), The Way Back to Ourselves, Vessels of Light, Calla Press, and Austur, Aletheia Today, The Truly Co., and Prosetrics Literary Magazine. Deborah loves sharing stories, singing hymns, and long walks to find inspiration and peace. www.deborahrutherford.com/; https://deborahrutherford.substack.com; @deborahrutherfordwrites.Author Series upcoming guests Mikala Albertson, MD , Theresa M. Miller, Lori Ann Wood, Katie Sampias, Rebecca George and TBAPodcast music “Everlasting Covenant” by Don Rutherford. Thank you for being here. Doing a podcast is fun but a lot of work. If you would like to support this podcast please consider being a paid subscriber, signing up for newsletter: If you can have them subscribe to the podcast newsletter.BIG NEWS!!! Poetry book news:The Way Back Books is the new boutique publishing imprint from The Way Back to Ourselves, focusing on soul-care, authentic relationships, creative excellence, and telling “beauty from ashes” stories that beautify the Kingdom. My debut poetry collection, Prodigal Daughter: Poems of Light for the Lost Ones will be released with Kimberly Phinney’s second poetry collection, Exalted Ground: Poems of Praise and Lament for the Living and Rosa Gilbert debut poetry collection.You can preorder Kimberly Phinney Book Exalted Ground: Poems of Praise and Lament for the Living NOW. Book releases Monday April 7, 2025. Don’t miss this one friends.AND DON’T MISS:CULTIVATE 2025 EXCLUSIVE VIRTUAL RETREAT with the Way Back to Ourselves Community.I am so excited to attend my friend Kimberly Phinney and the The Way Back To Ourselves for the Cultivate Retreat again this year. Come join faithful creative and leaders from all over the world in this exclusive virtual even taking place June 20-21. ON SALE TIX.May your days be full of God's goodness and love!DeborahDeborah Rutherford's Behold-Her Beauty is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Thank you for supporting my work. Please consider being a paid subscriber for upcoming community and discounts. Get full access to Deborah Rutherford's Behold-Her Beauty at deborahrutherford.substack.com/subscribe