“It is strange, but true, that the most important turning-points of life often come at the most unexpected times and in the most unexpected ways.” – Napoleon Hill

“Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” – Proverbs 19:21 NIV

I can’t think of anything more annihilative or dreadful than overwhelming circumstances that sneak up on you unexpectedly– catching you off guard.

I will never forget the moment in my own life when it happened.  It hit me hard.  It was like I was standing in the boxing ring with my hands tied down to my sides, blindfolded, and being the unsuspecting recipient of a Joe Frazier left hook.  The greatest of them all, Muhammad Ali, couldn’t stay on his feet after taking a blow like that – even when he saw it coming.

The recovery from that unexpected blow took years – precious time that should have been some of the best and most rewarding years of my life.  Instead, I spent them like a dazed fighter, struggling to stay on his feet during a standing eight count.

Have you ever had to face the unexpected?  Can you relate to the feelings of shock and astonishment – to the disillusionment and the intense suffering that came in its wake?

If you have, let me share some things that helped me:

REALIZE THE UNEXPECTED IS NEVER UNEXPECTED

“Who announces the end from the beginning and reveals beforehand what has not yet occurred, who says, ‘My plan will be revealed, and I will accomplish what I desire’.” – Isaiah 46:10 NET Bible

If God knew us in our mother’s womb and set us apart (Jerimiah 1:5), if all our days were recorded before one of them took place (Psalm 139:16), and if our steps in life are ordered (Psalm 37:23), then nothing that occurs is really unexpected at all.

It’s hard to face the predestined nature of our life – the aspects of it that are a part of our destiny – predetermined and directed by God Himself.  We like to believe that everything we encounter here is driven by our personal choices and strictly connected to our free agency, but I love how God says in the Isaiah passage that “My plan will be revealed and I will accomplish what I desire.”

What a testimony to our journey here – one that isn’t helter-skelter, but intricately woven by the Lord who has foreknowledge of all our choices (and the choices of others) in advance.  As the Proverbs verse states above, His purposes prevail regardless of what we do or plan within our own hearts.

Now, I can look back at what seemed unexpected at the time and see God’s purposes within all that transpired.  It changed the course and destiny of my life!  That unexpected event was planned, ordered, and allowed by a loving God who knows EXACTLY what I need to accomplish and experience in this life to prepare me for what is yet to come.

Take comfort and peace that nothing is ever unexpected!

FOCUS ON THE IMMUTABLE NATURE OF GOD – NOT THE UNEXPECTED CHANGE

“Instead of focusing on how big your problems are, focus on how big your God is!” – Joel Osteen

When I received that unexpected blow years ago, I remember the only thing that kept me sane was a constant, vigilant, purposeful focus on God – reading more about Him, praying often, and meditating on His unchanging attributes.

When you think about it, unexpected events are like a major change in direction.  It’s the shift and the shocking alteration of your life that causes the stress and pressure.  In the midst of such tremendous change, look instead to an immutable God who never changes 😊

Study His character and see a love for you that is deep and unshakable.  View your unexpected circumstances as if they needed to pass through the filter of God’s love for you – never able to enter your life unless they were ultimately meant for your good (Romans 8:28).

See an Omniscient God who knows all that has, is, and will occur – who understands the end from the beginning – especially in the moments where you feel lost or insecure.  See an Omnipresent God who never leaves your side as you face your difficulties.  Hold fast to an Omnipotent God who has the power to bring you through the unexpected.

When you make God the center of your attention, your problems become smaller and smaller in scope.  Trust in His love and His wisdom 😊

FORCE YOURSELF TO THINK BEYOND THIS MOMENT IN TIME

“All is flux, nothing stays still.” – Plato

As the unexpected event happened to me, as I stood there wobbling and staggering from the blow, it felt like nothing would ever be the same again.  I couldn’t imagine what life would look like or feel like moving forward.  I felt like I was stuck in the misery of it all. 

In fact, that false belief seemed to keep me from seeing a glaring truth: Nothing ever stays the same. 

Things evolve with time.  The hurt you are experiencing will change in intensity. The course of your life will move a new direction.  New events and circumstances will surface and lead you down fresh paths – pathways you are meant to travel during your journey here.  There will be happiness, peace, and fulfillment again 😊

Don’t settle in the hurt.  Don’t entrench yourself in the uncertainty of the moment.  Don’t believe the myth that you will be forever scarred and forsaken.  Look forward with confidence as hard as that might be right now – trusting in the natural evolution of things.  Surrender and allow God to lead you to the new places and experiences He has in store for you.

“Watch for the new thing I am going to do. It is happening already–you can see it now! I will make a road through the wilderness and give you streams of water there.” – Isaiah 43:19 GNT

“He leadeth me beside the still waters.  He restores my soul.” – Psalm 23:2 KJV

“Because of the Lord’s great love, we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail.  They are new every morning.  Great is your faithfulness!” – Lamentations 3:22-23 NIV

It is my prayer that as you face the unexpected, you begin to realize nothing really is, that your pathway through this life was known long ago by a loving, sovereign God.  As you struggle with the change, look to an unchanging, immutable Father who sees and knows all, who is always with you every moment, and who holds the ultimate power necessary to bring you through your unexpected circumstances.

Have the courage to look forward, beyond the shock and uncertainty of the present moment, knowing that your life will move in a new direction – one that is overseen and directed by a loving God who has great purposes for you and others who touch your life.

God bless 😊