What is a Righteous Man...or woman?

There are several things in the bible that we read over and over but I wonder if we really understand or forget what it is that we are reading. I am starting to look at things in my personal life and my relationship to GOD. I wonder why things happen that do not seem to make sense in my life. Like why at this time in my life do I have to work a job that keeps me away from family, church, and being a help to the ministry. If I read my bible correctly it tells us that the steps of a righteous man are ordained of God. So have I slipped off of the path of being righteous or have I forgot that we are to run the race with patience and lean on God and not our own understanding. In Law Enforcement a righteous shoot or kill was the term use to say that you have done everything right. MMMM wonder if it fits here in my spiritual life also?