Trust in the Lord with all your heart
    and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him,
    and he will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:5-6

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When Dorothy first met Scarecrow, she was at an anxious intersection. “Follow the yellow brick road,” they said. But no one mentioned a fork in the road to Oz. Should she go this way or that way? She might as well get advice from a brainless talking bundle of straw. Wait, Toto, did he just say, “Of course, people do go both ways”? Now she is more confused than before. If only she had GPS!

For you, how fictional is Dorothy’s quest to see the Wizard? I’d like to shelve it as a movie, but it has strong parallels to my life and faith. While on my own yellow brick road from cradle to grave, I wish I could say I’m wise, discerning, and courageous enough to figure it out on my own. But I’m not—not even with college degrees, on-the-job experience, Google, or even AI! Unless I put my trust in the One who is all-knowing, all-powerful, and ever-present, I will buckle at one anxious intersection after another.

I’m grateful that God used Proverbs 3:5–6 to interrupt my story when I was in sixth grade. It’s the closest thing to a life verse for me. My inner spirit settles down when I remember I can trust my Heavenly Father completely. He never just points me in the right direction, He travels with me and makes my path seem straight. Yes, I still end up at a lot of crossroads. I wonder, “Should I go this way or that way?” But instead of freaking out, I follow His lead. I let Him nudge me left or right. I rely on the wisdom, discernment, and courage that only He can give.

I’m not perfect at trusting God with all my heart or in all my ways. But my levels of joy, peace, and happiness increase year after year. And as I step forward from one yellow brick to the next, my resolve to follow Jesus and gladly obey the Heavenly Father does too.

Next Steps

What anxious intersection are you at currently? Take Proverbs 3:5–6 to heart and carry it with you. Talk about what you’re facing with God and a trusted friend today. Along your life’s yellow brick road, track how this passage affects your pursuit of lasting joy, peace, and happiness.