Dealing With The Unexpected Challenges of Life -- part 1

Some things occur in our lives that really aren’t that surprising. In truth, they are more like unwanted, possibly irritating “interruptions.”  We see the warning signs and eventually, the “challenge” is before us. For example, you see that other people are getting laid off at your place of employment. The company is cutting its losses and one morning you arrive at work to find your pink slip as well. Because of the “warning signs,” your layoff was not completely unexpected.

Another example might be that we all realize material things wear out over time. Once I owned a Buick Rendezvous SUV and around 240,000 miles she started to “slip” during acceleration. After listening to a few months of “noises,”  I knew my warning signs were telling me to trade before I had to deal with an “unexpected” transmission blow in rush hour traffic.

So these are a couple examples of life experiences that really aren’t that unexpected. Warning signs let us know that something is coming our way and we have time to prepare and adjust our course.

But there is a second category of life’s experiences or challenges that come our way and these are the completely unexpected.  Examples of these could include:

• The sudden death of a loved one
• The severing of a formerly solid relationship
• The loss of a job and steady income
• An affair of your spouse
• A lawsuit
• A tragic accident
• A negative medical report

What do we mean by the word “unexpected?”  How can we define this word?

Unexpected can be described as:

• Not previously regarded as likely to happen.
• Coming without any warning
• Unforeseen, unanticipated, unpredicted, sudden, abrupt, surprising, unannounced

Can anyone relate? Have you experienced life challenges that came “out of the blue?" 

Mothers of Nations, we all experience unexpected challenges throughout our lives.

No matter who we are, where we live, how much money we make, believer or non-believer – unplanned circumstances take place throughout our life journey. It is not whether we will face the unexpected or not. This is a certainty.

Rather, what we need to focus on is HOW we as a believer in Christ can face these unexpected circumstances, going through them and growing through them.

Next week we will continue this topic starting with this thought:  God has a history of comforting His people.

That is good to realize when we are faced with an unexpected challenge, isn’t it?

Until next week, blessings to you all.

Rev. Nola Beintema