Unexpected

Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. — Proverbs 3:5-6 NLT

A few years back life threw us a curveball that hit hard! This circumstance required a lot of emotional energy and took my path in other directions for a time.

We have all experienced unexpected circumstances. The thing about the unexpected is that, true to the meaning, we do not see these events coming. We become that proverbial “deer caught in the headlights” and lose our way. This can bring great joy or profound concern, but either way unexpected events can wreak havoc with our mind, heart, daily routines and time. Here are some insights I gathered along the way …

You cannot control or predict the unexpected. It arrives like a bolt of lightning, completely disrupting your life!  Once reality begins to sink in you realize that you have the God-given ability to choose how you will respond. We cannot control what we feel, but we can make a decision about what we do. We cannot change our circumstance, but we can choose our response.

You are now standing at the intersection of Grace & Mercy vs Chaos & Crisis.

I was a visitor here, and after careful consideration there was only one thing to do. Run to the foot of the cross and take a deep breath. There is nothing too big for God to handle!  Cry out to Jesus and ask for His wisdom. He will be right by your side, leading the way and He will give you peace. He will walk you through the storm no matter how long, no matter how painful. He will see you safely to the shore.

May you be mindful today that Jesus has given you a new heart. A heart that is not stubborn or angry, but willing and compassionate. Whatever you are facing right now, don’t give up! Give in to the Savior and He will direct you to the next right thing.

Points to Ponder

●      Think of a time when an unexpected circumstance derailed you. How did you respond?

●      If you could go back in time, would you change your response?

●      Are you at a crossroads in life? Remember God’s faithfulness to you in the past and hold on to His promises.