“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” Matthew 7 13-14, NIV
When driving down the road in a 41’ Motorhome, flat towing an F-150 with a carrier on the back bumper, changing directions is not a quick U-turn.
We’d pulled into a gas station and turned in the wrong direction to access the gas pumps. After realizing our mistake, we looked for a way out. Seeing no other exit, our next option was turning around. It was a large area, and if we’d been the only vehicle there, we could have easily made a wide U-turn.
But semis were pulling through from the pumps, and others were parked along the perimeter. There wasn’t enough space to change direction and go back the way we had come.
We had to back up to turn around.
But we couldn’t just put the motorhome in reverse and press the gas pedal. Going in reverse with the truck attached could destroy our towing system. Before we could move and get out of the way, we needed to detach the truck from the back of the coach. So, my husband and I hopped out of the Motorhome and detached the truck as quickly as possible, with semis driving around us.
As soon as it was detached, I got in the driver’s seat, backed up a bit, turned the truck around, and drove to a parking spot on the other side of the truck stop. With a bit of maneuvering, my husband had our motorhome turned around and headed toward the gas pumps.
We were able to reverse our direction by detaching the truck. If only it were that easy to reverse bad life decisions.
Changing directions
Ever find your life going in the wrong direction? Making a bad choice, realizing it, but continuing on that path because changing directions is hard.
It’s often easier to continue through the wide gate in the wrong direction, even when we know it’s the wrong way. Sometimes we don’t even realize we’re heading the wrong way until we’re so far gone we think there’s no way out.
Changing your life’s direction can be hard. Often, it’s a slow process, and depending on how long you have been on the wrong road, it can be painful.
To turn around, you need to detach yourself from whatever is stopping you from living the life God intended for you. These could be habits that take you toward destruction. Such as excessive drinking, sexual immorality, drug abuse, and pornography. And attitudes that hurt and destroy like cruelty, prejudice, racism, selfishness, and bigotry.
You may also need to detach yourself from others that encourage those habits and attitudes. This can be the hardest part, especially if these people are your friends or family.
There was a time in my life when I was broken and found myself on a path that didn’t honor God. I knew I needed to change directions and I found God’s help through prayer. He heard my struggles and helped me turn back to His path.
If you’re going in the wrong direction and need help and encouragement to turn around, a good place to start is the Bible. The Bible provides us with hope, encouragement, and direction. No matter what you have done, it’s not too late to change your path. I hope these Bible verses encourage you to find your way to God.
Encouraging Verses
In 2 Corinthians 5:17-18, we are reminded that, in Jesus, we are made new.
17Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 18All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: (NIV)
Ephesians 4:22-24 tells us to put our past life behind us and be a new creation in Jesus.
22You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.(NIV)
Romans 12:2 reminds us not to conform to the patterns of this world.
2Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing, and perfect will.(NIV)
In Matthew 11:28-30, we are invited by Jesus to follow Him and find rest for our souls.
28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.29Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.30For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (NIV)
Philippians 4:6-7 reminds us to bring our worries to God.
6Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.(NIV)
James 4:7 reminds us that submitting to God will help us to resist temptation.
7Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.(NIV)
1 John 1:8-9 reminds us that we are sinners, and that God will forgive our sins if we confess them.
8If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.(NIV)
Proverbs 3:5-6 tells us that by putting our trust in our Lord and submitting to Him, he will guide us.
5Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. (NIV)
If you are not connected with a church or group of encouraging Christ-followers, consider attending a church in your area. You don’t have to make these changes alone.
If you are experiencing depression and suicidal thoughts, call 988 to reach the suicide hotline.
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