When We Can’t See the Road Ahead: A Journey of Faith

Have you ever wondered, how did I get here?  You know that place—where it is only by the grace of God you are still standing and in a good space.  They say hindsight is 20/20, right? 

At the time we are walking (or sometimes crawling) through life’s most difficult situations, we can’t see past the struggle. But when we come out of that season, we realize it was the hardship that grew and stretched our faith, patience, and trust in God’s faithfulness.

This is what my friend Mary and I pondered while taking a girls’ road trip from Ohio to Florida last month.  It was just the two of us, reliving some of life’s most painful and, at the same time, fulfilling life journeys that each of us have traveled. Even when we could not feel God’s presence, He was ALWAYS there!

We often long for where we wish to be, thinking happiness lies just beyond our reach. Yet what if, instead of lamenting what was lost or what may never be, we chose to wonder what work God is completing within us right where we stand, right in those difficult moments?

That realization hit me when, prior to our marriage, my husband and I had to be separated for an extended period due to career and family obligations. I was distraught, longing to be with him, but it wasn’t possible.  We committed to each other and endured a long-distance relationship that lasted nearly three years. 

Though it felt impossible at the time, I wouldn’t trade what God did in those years for anything. You see, our separate living situation gave me precious time alone to spend with Jesus, time in His Word that enabled me to elevate God above all else, where previously, I had elevated my husband instead.  Once we were able to be together, I was already accustomed to leaning on God instead of expecting my husband to fulfill my every need.

Even the detours in life and storms we go through serve a purpose.  Challenges refine us, shaping endurance and faith. The beauty of the journey often blooms in the soil of struggle.

“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness” (James 1:2-4).

That season taught me to wait on God’s timing, and it also laid the foundation for another deeply personal journey He would redeem—healing from a past abortion (see “Living on a Hidden Beach”).  It became a profound part of my redemption story.  What felt like a devastating chapter, casting a shadow over nearly every area of my life for almost 40 years, become a place where God began weaving restoration—preparing my heart for what He knew was coming next.   

God knew the day would come when I would cry out to Him seeking healing from that long, desolate season when my heart felt numb and far from joy.  He knew the healing journey would be emotionally strenuous and seem impossible to overcome, but He also knew the tie that would bind me to Him—obeying His call to share my testimony and complete the Surrendering the Secret Bible study for post-abortive people.

Remember in Luke 7 when Jesus was invited to a Pharisee’s house to eat, and the sinful woman came with the alabaster flask of ointment?  She began to wet Jesus’ feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair, kissing His feet.  The Pharisee who had invited Jesus questioned to himself, whether Jesus was really a prophet, because he thought Jesus should have known what kind of woman she was.

Jesus perceiving what the Pharisee was thinking told this parable as a lesson:

 “A certain moneylender had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. When they could not pay, he cancelled the debt of both. Now which of them will love him more?”  Luke 7:41-42.

The Pharisee answered, saying he supposed the one for whom he cancelled the larger debt.  Jesus replied that this was correct.

“Therefore, I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven-for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little” (v. 7).

How I relate to this woman.  My sins were many, and honestly, I thought unforgiveable.   But when I stepped out in faith, obeying His promptings to seek healing, everything changed.  I have joy again!  I don’t have to hide, fearful that others will see who I really am. I am free from guilt and condemnation!

Faith invites us to step forward even when we can’t see the road ahead.  The journey of life is less about clarity and more about trust in the One who walks beside us.

“For we walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7).

Having gone through trials in life makes me more relatable to others.  Seeking His healing has given me confidence to lead in ministry, courage to share my testimony publicly to give others hope, and motivation to write blogs.  I’ve even posted a video or two on social media about finding God.  I want to encourage others to seek Him in their lives.

Had I not walked the path of hope that He set before me, I would never have known such goodness or had the courage to step out.  Every season of joy, sorrow, waiting, or growth has meaning in God’s timing. The journey isn’t about rushing to the destination but learning to see beauty in each moment He allows.

So, I am grateful for this journey of life.  Would I like to get from point A to point B a little faster?  YES!  Would I like to get there without pain, sickness, and conflict?  Absolutely! However, that is not God’s way.  Everything we go through here on earth builds character—the kind of character that lasts even into heaven.

Our journeys aren’t meant to be perfect or painless; they are meant to be purposeful.  In every chapter—joy, sorrow, waiting, growing—God is shaping something beautiful. Sometimes the detours are the very places where we grow roots of faith. 

“For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:20).

Just like when Mary and I drove from Ohio to Florida — it was a long journey that required plenty of stops for fuel, food, and to stretch our well-traveled legs.  Yet along the way, we shared deep, meaningful conversations that strengthened our friendship in ways we couldn’t have planned.  Life’s journey is much the same—sometimes uncomfortable, often beautiful, and always filled with purpose when we allow God to write the story.

FOR FURTHER THOUGHTPause and reflect.  Take a moment today to look back on your own journey — not just the destinations, but the moments in between.  Where have you seen growth, grace, or unexpected beauty along the way?

Embrace the Uncomfortable.  When the road feels long or uncertain, remind yourself that transformation often happens in the hard places. Lean into discomfort — that’s where God does some of His best work.

Travel with Intention.  Be present in your relationships and experiences. Listen deeply, love freely, and let each interaction be a step toward a more meaningful life.

No matter what stretch of road you’re on today, keep trusting that God is shaping something beautiful in you. Remember, the journey is where the magic happens.

PRAYER

Lord, thank You for walking with me on this journey of life, through the smooth and crooked roads alike.  Help me to see Your hand in every mile, to find beauty in the pauses, and to grow through the challenges.  Teach me to travel with an open heart, to cherish the people I meet along the way, and to trust that even when I don’t see the destination clearly, You are guiding me with purpose.  Amen.

ABOUT AMY MCKAMEY

Amy McKamey is a redeemed daughter of God through Jesus Christ who has experienced the life-changing freedom that comes from obeying the Holy Spirit’s promptings. A joyful mother of four, stepmother to three, and grandmother to eight, Amy brings a heart full of compassion and hard-won wisdom to her ministry. Life’s challenges—both self-inflicted and circumstantial—have repeatedly brought her to her knees, but God’s mercy and grace have lifted her up every time. After walking through the Boldly Shine program twice, first alone and then with her husband, Amy came face-to-face with the deep roadblocks holding her back and began a powerful journey toward renewed peace and joy. Now a certified leader in post-abortive women’s recovery, Amy is passionate about walking alongside others in pain, helping them break free from the shame and secrecy of past wounds to live in the freedom of God’s truth.

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