The Highway of Life

Categories: RECENT RESEARCH

Margaret Nagib, Psy.D.

Highways. I love them. I love the freedom to drive in the direction of my destination without traffic lights, stop signs, or detours. They are by far the quickest most efficient way to get where you want to go. There is only one problem. They can be long. Depending on the destination, highways can be long and uninteresting.

“God, are we there yet?’

A few years ago I was yearning for insight regarding a particular area of my life. I wanted to know. Is there a divine destination in all of this? Did I miss the exit? And if not, why does it seem like there is no end in sight? Like many of us become, I was inpatient, tired and frustrated. I just wanted to know. God, are we there yet?

God gave me the metaphor of a highway that day and I will never forget what He said to me – “Destiny is like a highway.” Stay on that highway if you want to get to your purposed destination. Exits are always an option. However, you can spend days, months, or even years at an inviting exit only to realize detours are costly.

Grace provides the strength needed to continue on the path, no matter how long and discouraging it may appear. Not only that, but grace provides everything we need for the journey. Everything. This makes exits on the highway of destiny obsolete.

“We can spend days, months, or even years at an exit only to realize detours are costly.”

So I have choices. I can impatiently, and incessantly, question in my heart the path God has chosen, and therefore, settle for an exit along the way. Or, I can sit back and enjoy it with all of its twists and turns, surprises, and grace.

Grace be with you all.

Hebrews 13:25

“Behold, I will do something new, Now it will spring forth; Will you not be aware of it? I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, Rivers in the desert…”

— Isaiah 43:19

Dr. Margaret Nagib, Psy.D., is a clinical psychologist specializing in Christian counseling, inner healing and treating eating disorders, trauma, addiction, self-injury and mood disorders. For 15 years, she has provided individual, family and group therapy. Today, as a key faculty member of Timberline Knolls’ Clinical Development Institute, she travels throughout the country providing clinical training and presentations to professionals. Additionally, Dr. Nagib provides individual, family, group and pastoral counseling. Her goal is to restore Timberline Knolls’ residents to wholeness through a deeper relationship with God, helping each one to find her voice, purpose, and passion.

Timberline Knolls is a residential treatment center located on 43 beautiful acres just outside Chicago, offering specialized Christian-based programming and a nurturing environment of recovery for women and girls ages 12 and older struggling to overcome eating disorders, substance abuse, mood disorders, trauma and co-occurring disorders. By serving with uncompromising care, relentless compassion and an unconditional joyful spirit, we help our residents help themselves in their recovery. For more information, visit www.timberlineknolls.comor call 877-257-9612.