In Robert Frost’s poem, ‘The Road Not Taken,’ we see life continually forces us to make choices. You get to choose, even though deciding what to do can be difficult. Often one choice is easier, so it feels right to walk in that direction. However, there can be a difficult choice that will be more rewarding in the end. Hmm…what to do? What to do? I’m not completely sure Mr. Frost had it all figured out, but my favorite lines in the poem suggest he did. “Two roads diverged in a wood, and I-I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the diffference.” He implies that not taking the easy route, the road that is calling us, has changed his life. Can it change ours?
How often do we walk down the road of fear? Considering the amount of things that this world throws at us in one day, this is certainly an easy road to choose. Along this road we can stumble on the roadblocks: panic, anxiety, and distress. The journey on this path slows our forward progress and steals our joy. Clearly, we need to choose another road.
Here’s good news: God went before us and laid out a sheltered road. “Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will never fail you nor abandon you.” (Deuteronomy 31:8, NLT). On this road our strength will rise, and peace and joy will follow us. “The Lord will give strength to His people; the Lord will bless His people with peace.” (Psalm 29:11, NASB) Think of this: there are two paths we can walk on: one will increase our worry, and the other will increase our faith. Choose wisely, for it will make all the difference.
Things to do today:
- Ask yourself: What thoughts fill me with peace and joy?
- Read a similar blog called ‘Guarded by Peace’ and listen to songs: ‘I Will Fear No More’ and ‘Look Up Child.’