I recently came across a powerful line;
“Just because God is taking you the long way doesn’t mean He’s taking you the wrong way.”
That struck me deeply. Because let’s be honest, we all prefer shortcuts. We want things fast, smooth, and without delays. When life stretches longer than expected, we start asking, “Did I miss it? Did God forget me? Am I even on the right path?”
But sometimes, the very detour you are questioning is the path God has chosen for you.
Shortcuts promise quick results. Whether it’s career goals, relationships, healing, or personal growth, there is always the pressure to “arrive” fast. But shortcuts often skip the lessons that prepare us for what’s ahead. You might get there quickly, but will you be ready to handle it?
The Wisdom of the Long Way
The long way is not punishment, it’s preparation. Think of it as God giving you time to build the muscle, wisdom, and faith you’ll need when you finally arrive. Sometimes the delay is protection. Sometimes it’s training. Sometimes it’s simply timing.
The Bible gives us a clear example in Exodus 13:17–18:
“When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them on the road through the Philistine country, though that was shorter. For God said, ‘If they face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.’ So God led the people around by the desert road toward the Red Sea.”
God knew the Israelites weren’t ready to face battle. The shorter way looked easier, but it wasn’t safe. The long way was God’s way of protecting and preparing them for the future.
And as Isaiah 55:8–9 reminds us:
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord.
“As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
God’s route may not look like ours but His way is always higher, wiser, and better.
Lessons in the Waiting
Waiting seasons stretch us. They teach patience, resilience, and trust. They humble us and show us that control doesn’t always belong to us. Personally, I’ve seen areas of my life where delay forced me to grow in ways I never expected. Looking back, I realize those seasons were not wasted; they were shaping me.
Trusting God’s Timing
When God takes us the long way, it’s not to frustrate us but to form us. He knows the route. He sees the unseen. What feels like a detour to you may be the safest, most purposeful road in His plan. The long way is still the right way when it’s God’s way.
Final Encouragement
So if you find yourself in a season that feels slow, heavy, or delayed…take heart. You are not forgotten. You are being prepared. Trust His timing, trust His process.
The long way is not the wrong way.
👉 Have you ever taken the long way and later realized it was exactly where you were meant to be?
With love,
Florence 💕
ReflectWithFlo