When the Road Gets Rough, the Road Gets Slippery, and God Gives You a Promise

Last night, I had three dreams that seemed completely different at first. But as I prayed about them, I realized they carried one message.

The first dream involved a car ride on a rough and dangerous road. I was in the passenger seat while someone else was driving. The road became increasingly difficult, and I felt prompted to tell the driver to slow down. Instead of slowing down, he accelerated. We crossed over rough ground and made it to the other side, but when we arrived, the car was damaged and could no longer continue.

As we got out, we realized that although we had saved time by taking the shortcut, we now had to wait for the car to be repaired.

The second dream was also about driving. This time, my youngest son was driving a vehicle with a small trailer attached. He stopped, and I told him I would take over. When I began driving, the road was icy. No matter what I did, the vehicle struggled to maintain traction and began spinning.

Then came the third dream.

I was playing with a baby girl who was only about two months old. Yet she was unusually intelligent and mature for her age. We laughed together, enjoyed each other’s company, and had a wonderful time. There was so much joy in the dream.

As I reflected on these dreams, I felt the Lord revealing a message that may encourage many people who are walking through difficult seasons.

Sometimes life feels like the first dream.

You know the road is rough. You sense the need for caution. You know in your spirit that slowing down would be wise. Yet circumstances, pressure, deadlines, expectations, or even the decisions of others seem to push everything forward at full speed.

You make it through, but you arrive tired, wounded, or needing repair.

Many of us have experienced seasons where we were simply trying to survive. We pushed through because stopping didn’t seem like an option. The journey continued, but the cost was greater than we expected.

Other times life feels like the second dream.

You are doing your best. You are making wise decisions. You have taken responsibility. You are trying to lead well. Yet the road itself is slippery.

Not every struggle is the result of poor choices. Sometimes the conditions are simply difficult. Sometimes God allows us to walk through seasons where our footing feels uncertain. During those times, we must rely on Him more than ever.

The icy road reminded me that wisdom is not just knowing how to drive. Wisdom is knowing when the conditions require extra dependence on God.

But then there was the third dream. The baby. Small. New. Young. Yet carrying unusual maturity and potential.

I believe this dream was a reminder that while we are focused on rough roads and slippery conditions, God is still growing something beautiful.

Many people are so focused on what is difficult that they miss what God is developing.

Maybe your marriage is in a difficult season. Maybe your business feels uncertain. Maybe your ministry is small. Maybe your healing process feels slow. Maybe your prayers seem unanswered.

But what if God is nurturing something beneath the surface that is far more mature than it appears? What if the very thing that seems small right now carries extraordinary purpose? What if the promise is growing while you are still navigating the process? The enemy wants us to focus only on the rough roads and icy conditions. God wants us to remember the promise. The rough road is not your destination. The slippery road is not your future. The baby is. The promise is. The new thing God is developing is.

Isaiah 43:19 says, “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?” Sometimes we are so focused on surviving the season that we fail to recognize what God is birthing within it.

If you are in a season that feels uncertain, take heart. If the road is rough, keep trusting Him. If the road is slippery, keep depending on Him.

And if all you can see right now is something small, fragile, and seemingly insignificant, do not despise small beginnings. God often hides great things in small beginnings.

The same God who guides you through the rough roads is the God who protects you on the icy roads and nurtures the promises He has placed within your life.

Keep going. Keep trusting. Keep praying. The road may be difficult, but God is still growing something beautiful.

Prayer

Father, thank You for guiding us through every season. When the road is rough, help us trust You. When the path feels slippery, help us depend on You. Give us wisdom to follow Your timing and courage to keep moving forward in faith.

Open our eyes to see the promises You are growing, even when they seem small. Remind us that You are working behind the scenes and that what You have started, You will be faithful to complete.

We place our lives, our families, and our future into Your hands. We trust You with the journey and the promise.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

If the road is rough, keep trusting. If the road is slippery, keep depending on Him. God is still growing something beautiful.