Detour Signs......God's Will??????

This week's lesson is on DETOUR signs in our lives. As we travel down the road and see detour signs....we are often in a rush and become annoyed by them. That is until we see that the road ahead is washed out by a recent flood or some other problem....THEN we undestand it was for our benefit!!! God sometimes does the same thing in our lives. He may place detour signs in our lives to provide for us or to protect us. Just like Jonah, I sometimes want to run or hide from what God wants me to do. But God placed a HUGE detour in Jonah's life in the form of a fish and that "sign" placed Jonah back on the right path. HE does the same with me....I am CERTAIN!!! Probably noone was "detoured" more than Paul in the New Testament. As he went from place to place to preach to the Gentiles, he often found himself imprisoned, but in all the trials he faced....God used it for good. The persecution served as a catalyst to spread the gospel to the world by spreading believers throughout the world. God in all his wisdom is always guiding us, even though we may not always recognize it or understand his reasoning. We must only have faith in a God that is mighty. Sometimes it may be hard to know that a detour in our lives is indeed from God.....in such cases we should continue to pray about the situation and trust God to guide us. The author of this book makes a profound statement, "God is far more concerned with our character than with our circumstances. Circumstances are one of his favorite tools to shape our character." There have been many times in my life that I have asked God, "WHY????!" Why has he allowed certain things to happen in my life, placed abstacles in my life, etc. I am certain Joseph at one point asked God the same question. But in the end, he told his brothers that they meant evil against him.....but God used it all for good! In the midst of trials....we NEED to believe that our mighty God is able to accomplish HIS purpose through whatever life can throw at us. God's wisdom, coupled with his love and grace, should provide us tremendous reassurance! :) Tonight.....I KNOW that God can use any circumstance in my life and direct me to use it to HIS glory.