“If you don’t like the road you’re walking, pave yourself a new one.” 

I saw that painted on the side of a building this morning, and initially I liked the statement. But when I started thinking about it a little more deeply, I began to see a different angle.

As I researched the quote later in the day, I discovered it was a quote from Dolly Parton.  I think I understand the gist of what she was saying.  When we are walking a difficult path, we do not have to believe it will always be that way.  To that degree, I can agree with the statement. But I also believe there is an underlying danger in such a sentiment.

A Call to Steadfastness

In our culture these days, we too quickly look for an easy way out of the first difficulty we encounter.  An old saying used to encourage us: “when the going gets tough, the tough get going.”  Many people, when their going gets tough, they get going – as far away from the difficult circumstance as possible.

But what if that difficult situation in which we find ourselves is the very thing God sent for our good?  Think about Jesus’ disciples in a boat during a stormy night on the Sea of GaliIee.  I am sure they would have preferred to skip the storm all together.  However, had they not experienced the storm, Peter would have never experienced walking on water.

The Bible reminds us that difficult circumstances develop steadfastness. (James 1:2-3) Sometimes, we are too quick to curse our hardships and seek to escape them.  But those very trials may be the tool God sent to grow us and strengthen us.

The Importance of Steadfastness

The writer of Hebrews calls us to run with endurance the race that is appointed to us. (Hebrews 12:1)  The word translated “race” in Hebrews 12:1 is the word from which we derive the English “agonize.”  Sometimes God’s appointed route is hard. Paving a new road when you don’t like the one you’re on could take you off God’s course for you.

Hebrews 12 immediately follows a chapter we refer to as the “Hall of Faith.”  That chapter recounts the heroics of Biblical men and women who demonstrated great faith through adversity. Hebrews 11:6 reminds us that we cannot please God without faith.  If we never need to exercise steadfastness through difficult circumstances, we cannot prove that we really believe God.

So the call to steadfastness in Hebrews 12:1 is our opportunity to do as men and women of old.  We demonstrate we believe that God rewards those who seek Him when we remain steadfast under trial.

Help for Steadfastness

Back in James 1, James encourages us to joyfully face our trials.  He did not call us to enjoy them, only to count them as joy.  We find joy not in the experience of trials, but in knowing the result those trials will produce – steadfastness.

James tells us that we have help while walking that difficult road.  He said that when we don’t know what to do – when we need wisdom – we should ask God.  Just as He came to His disciples on the stormy sea, He will come to you to help you navigate that rough patch of road. The more you experience that help of God in your trials, the more you learn to trust Him in future difficulties.

See also, Where is God In My Trials?