This devotion was used by permission from Dianna Hobbs’ “Your Daily Cup of Inspiration.” For more great encouragement like this, visit her official blog here.

I was working out today, lifting weights, training my shoulders. During the workout, I was feeling pretty strong when Kedar handed me the 15 pound dumbbells for my shoulder press.

“I think I can lift the 25 pound dumbbells,” I said.

When I suggested that he let me lift heavier, Kedar raised his eyebrows and looked surprised.

“I suggest you only go up five pounds heavier,” he said, advising me against being so aggressive.

“But, if you think you can do it, I’ll let you try,” he conceded.

As soon as Kedar put the weights in my hands, totaling 50 pounds, moments after I attempted to lift them, I knew I wasn’t ready. I pushed up, and it felt like two steel boulders were in my hands. There was no way I was getting those things in the air!

I started laughing and said to Kedar, “Yeah, I think you were right. These are too heavy.”

He graciously took the weights from me and replaced them with the lighter ones, and I was relieved. Even though Kedar knew I was too weak for the load I was trying to bear, he let me try so I would know the truth.

Have you ever thought you were stronger than you were or assumed you could handle a situation before you were ready? We all get overaggressive from time to time and overestimate our capacity. But God knows what we’re ready for and what we’re not. He even knows that there are some battles we are not mentally strong enough to handle, so He shields us from them.

We find a fitting scenario in Exodus 13:17:

“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.’”

Wow. I find it so fascinating that Scripture expressly tells us that there was indeed a shorter route and a more convenient path Israel could have taken. But God considered their psychological condition and how a confrontation with their rivals, the Philistines, could have impacted them negatively.

God is so mindful of us, isn’t He?

And yet, someone with less insight may have observed this situation from the outside and questioned God’s wisdom. They might have wondered, why did God take Israel the long way? They may even have falsely accused God of dealing harshly with His chosen people. This is the danger of making assumptions; we get it wrong when we do that.

The truth is, sometimes, God’s decisions do appear irrational. His ways are confusing. But that does not mean that He is irrational or confused. God is strategic, and He always knows exactly what He’s doing, even though we don’t. That’s why we are required to live by faith (Romans 1:17). We don’t always have the luxury of receiving an explanation.

In Exodus 13:21, we learn that while Israel was deep in the wilderness, God went before them. His presence took on the form of a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night to give them light. He led them every step of the way—even though He took them the long way.

And friend, God is leading you too. He may not take you the shortest, most convenient route. He never promised He would. But you can be sure that you’ll arrive at the place He has predestined you to be. You will come out of this wilderness and make it to the Promised Land. God will fulfill His word to you and do everything He said He would.

In the meantime, as you wait for breakthrough, be patient and trust the Lord. Have faith that He’s leading you daily.

When you feel unsure, remember the wisdom of Psalm 119:105 KJV, which is what I’m stirring into your cup of inspiration. It says, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”

As you drink down the contents of your cup, let God’s word guide you. And trust that the same God who led Israel through the wilderness is leading you through your wilderness. The road may be rocky, and the trial may last longer than you want it to. But, since God has seen fit to take you this route, trust that His ways are always right, and He is doing it for your good.

Now, let’s pray.

God, I don’t always understand Your ways, but I know that You never make a mistake. Despite the hardship of the wilderness, I trust that You are leading me, that You know what is best for me, and at the right time, You will fulfill every promise because You are faithful. In Jesus’ name, Amen.