Painful Steps: Lessons Along the Broken Road

"In their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone." (Psalm 91:12)

The Broken Road

Redemption begins on the broken road.

Painful steps are often the ones that change us the most. These are the moments when the path feels steep, uncertain, or heavy, but they are also the places where God's undetected work is deepest.

This verse suggests protection over our journey, including the small obstacles that may trip us or cause us to fall, yet this often doesn't align with our life experiences.

"The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in his way."

(Psalms 37:23-24)

If the Lord orders all our steps, why do we encounter such difficult and painful terrains? Why do some experiences injure our bodies, relationships, and souls?

Where is the protection? Did we overlook something along the way?

These are legitimate questions without clear answers.

Upheld in the Struggle

The Psalmist continues in verse 24:

"Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; for the Lord upholds him with His hand."

We are not promised a life free from suffering or obstacles. Scripture makes it clear that we will continually face challenges and trials.

Living in Him does not exempt us from difficulties or allow us to sidestep hard places. Foot wounds affect the entire body; they are felt in every limb. A small injury can alter your entire posture. A stubbed toe can subtly shift your walk for days.

How might the current struggle be shaped into strength?

Psalm 91 suggests that we can be safeguarded from the everyday obstacles that cause us to stumble, but it does not guarantee a smooth, stone-free path.

The steps are "established," meaning they are made firm, known, and secure. This implies that our feet can continue to move forward despite our experiences, trusting that our faith and obedience bring Him delight.

The promise is that we will be upheld. We are supported and can lean on Him, no matter how our feet struggle.

Established also means appointed. Even if painful routes are part of the journey, they are known and eternally purposed.

The Difficulty of Trusting

Recent conversations with friends and leaders have revealed our shared unanswered questions as we attempt to reconcile known promises with our wounded realities. How do they converge under His authorship?

Painful steps can become holy ground when surrendered to God.

There have been moments when I have genuinely fallen into despair and brokenness: loss, pain, false accusations, betrayals, and seemingly irreparable damage.

Not everything has been restored. Not every story in our earthly journeys ends with a happy resolution, but there is a common, sovereign thread woven through and beneath our partial understanding.

Refined Through Difficulty

As a family, we have discussed the uncomfortable story of Joseph in Genesis. It is difficult to grasp the extent of suffering, despair, and discouragement within the narrative. While we read it with knowledge of the outcomes and redemptive purposes, Joseph's lived experience offered no clear answers. We often find ourselves without the explanations and perspectives that might provide even temporary relief or understanding in the face of despair and injustice.

Your struggle may be the very place where God is forging strength and purpose

"But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive." (Genesis 50:20)

What was intended to destroy Joseph became the very foundation of God's kingdom purposes. It was prolonged, allowed, and ordained, which may be a hard reality to accept.

What if there are no answers?

Stumbling Stones to Springboards

May the stones that cause you to stumble become your springboards!

The stones in Psalm 91 are not going away, and the road is not instantly transformed into a smooth path. Sometimes, we must simply take the next difficult step.

When hardship arises, God’s protection is already at work. His support often comes in ways we do not recognise—through unexpected encouragement, a change in direction, sudden clarity, or simply the inner strength to keep moving forward.

I pray for strength for your journey today. Whatever terrain and stones are causing you pain and discomfort, may you feel His upholding hand grasping yours. I pray for His guidance over your forward movement and courage for every place that has felt like despair. May new hope and fresh endurance arise in exchange for your weary trudging. May the stones become your springboards!

💭 Reflection Questions

What painful steps in your life have shaped your character or strengthened your faith?

What part of your life right now feels heavy or painful—and how might God be working

What small step of obedience can you take today, even if it feels uncomfortable?

🌿Take a moment to ask God what He may be shaping through any painful steps

you’re walking right now.