To be off the track implies you’re out of God’s base map for your life. In other words, you’re guessing your way through life. 

Oftentimes, we get off track when faced with the storm of life and not knowing what to do during such difficult times. 

Therefore, we must learn how to survive hard times to get back on track.

Let’s begin.

The Storms of Life 

Living off track is very dangerous and leads to a dead-end.

Those who are off track are moving at high speed with no direction which equals fruitlessness.

This was seen in the life of Simon Peter before he became Jesus’s disciple as illustrated in Luke 5:1-11. 

Simon, like so many people, had toiled all night and had nothing to show for it. He was tired, lost hope, and was about to return empty-handed. 

Don’t forget, Simon had the skills, experience, and equipment required for a great catch.

However, despite all this, he had no direction which comes only from God. Hence, he found himself struggling to achieve it by his strength, forgetting that by strength no man can prevail.

Could this be the reason why your life is off the track—moving without a direction that comes via the word of God?

How to Get Back on Track

Simon Peter was able to get back on track when he had an encounter with Jesus Christ.

Jesus knowing fully well his struggle needed no explanation from him before he gave the word that changed Simon Peter’s life for good.

On receiving the Word, without hesitation, he put it into practice. 

And Simon (Peter) answered, Master, we toiled all night [exhaustingly] and caught nothing [in our nets]. But on the ground of Your word, I will lower the nets [again].—Luke 5:5

In essence, the word of God is required to survive hard times and get back on track. 

Your hard times may be different from that of Simon peter but that shouldn’t bother you because God’s word works in dynamic and supernatural ways.

Receiving a sure word from God would get you back on track, fulfilling your purposes with directions. 

God’s Word Strengthens

Simon Peter who was exhausted and discouraged had his strength restored when the word of God came forth. 

This means, each time we feel our strength is lost, let’s seek the sure word of God. 

Therefore, before you think of giving up, give heed to prayer and keep an open mind to receive the word from God. One word from God can change your life drastically and bring about the restoration of the things you may have lost in the past.

Besides, we must not limit the word from God to just what is written in the Bible. 

Truly, the Bible is the written word of God that can’t be altered. But, when it comes to personal issues like who I should marry, what job I should apply for, do I need to relocate, and many more, we need to hear from God directly. 

Some issues are of concern to our lives and need God’s direction to avoid mistakes. In such times, we need to watch out for the word from God that comes either;

• Audibly from God to us
• Silently nudging in our spirit
• Comes through a friend
• Reading gospel books
• Listening to gospel audios and podcasts.

Interestingly, God’s word can come through nature, living or non-living things. Hence, we need to keep an open mind to receive from God and get back on track.

Utilize Prayer to Get Back on Track

The concept of prayer can’t be exempted when learning how to survive hard times. 

In prayers, our spirit man is activated to receive from God. In addition, prayer helps us develop intimacy with the Lord— this guides us to discern when God gives a Word concerning our lives.

Most importantly, we need to pray about everything at every point in time, just as Paul rightly advised the Philippines; 

Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God. (Philippians 4:6).

This scripture is simply telling us to choose to pray when faced with difficulties, hard times, or challenges of life. 

So, don’t give heed to worrying, anxiety, and depression that won’t solve the problem but makes it grow worse.

Final Thoughts on How to Get Back on Track

It isn’t enough to know how to survive hard times or get back on track, you must step further to understand how to remain on track—in God’s plan and will for your life.

Jesus shows us the way in John 15 where He analyses how clueless we are outside of Him and that without Him we can do absolutely nothing! And for us to remain on track and keep bearing fruits we must forever abide in Him.

Dwell in Me, and I will dwell in you. [Live in Me, and I will live in you.] Just as no branch can bear fruit of itself without abiding in (being vitally united to) the vine, neither can you bear fruit unless you abide in Me—John 15:4

Therefore, our first line of action when things aren’t going as expected is to turn to God in prayers, keeping our minds open to hear His word regarding that season of our lives.

Hence, what’s your first line of action to get back on track when life knocks you down? Do share in the comments.