Hello 👋 😁 & Welcome!
Today’s Word is about “The unexpected,” as in life we will have turmoil but Jesus tells us in John 16:33, “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”
Life has a way of throwing these curve balls at us. Just when we start to get comfortable with a person, a place or a situation, something comes along to alter the recipe. A terrific neighbor moves away, Someone in the family graduates. A young adult finds new love and loyalties through marriage. The family’s principle bread-winner is laid off or hospitalized by an illness and sometimes sadly, even death.
Our ability to cope with change and disruption determines, to a great degree, our peace, happiness and contentment in life.
But how do we do that? Philosophers have considered the question for centuries, and their responses have been varied. According to the author of the Book of Ecclesiastes, comfort can be found in remembering that “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven.”
A young friend of mine reminded me that, “Survivability depends upon adaptability.” It’s like surfing, you can’t organize the ocean. Waves just happen. You ride them where they take you, then you paddle back out there and catch the next one. Sure, you’re always hoping for the perfect wave where you can get your bearings in order but mostly you just take them as the come.
Life is about a series of events, both good and bad. No matter how great your organizational skills, there will always be life-influencing factors over which you have no control. The truly successful person expects the unexpected, and is prepared to make adjustments should the need arise, as it most always does.
That doesn’t mean you don’t keep trying to make all your dreams come true. It just means that when things come up that aren’t exactly in your plan, we need to be more pliable as God is entwining our character under His headship. We’ve tasted the price of progress and will soon be delivered.
“Change, indeed, is painful, yet ever needful,” as we continue to put our trust completely in the Lord, knowing that only He can give lasting value to our lives.
A Sincere Prayer of Growth: 🌱
“Dear Heavenly Father, I come to you in spirit and in truth as I am trying to do better with each passing day. I attempt to walk with you and do your Will, but I don’t always know what that is. Lord, I pray for your help in straightening out my life. Lead me, and let your Holy Spirit guide me. Even if the correction is painful, help me to keep my mind open to your truth. Let me do your Will in my every action and know your Will, that I might do it. Help me not be deceived by false assertions or glib intelligence, by those who would excuse or promote sinful actions, by those who simply do not know and above all, help me not deceive myself. Guide me away from excuses and rationalizations when I have sinned, but draw me into your Holy truth, that I might know my sin, and correct what I can, and ask forgiveness for what I cannot. By the grace and mercy of Christ, I decree and declare in Jesus name. Amen!”
Philippians 4:11-13
“Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”
In His Grip,
Pastor Wendy Schenkel
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