Last Sunday, my life took an unexpected turn. On the prior Thursday, I had planned my weekend just as I always do. I planned to shop on Friday and catch up with the shows on my DVR list.   Saturday I planned to watch Christmas movies all day then join my family for dinner at a local Italian restaurant. Two days down just like I planned. I was really looking forward to a lazy Sunday after an 8:45 meeting at church, then a class at 9:30, followed by spending time with our precious newcomers at 11. I got up at 6 and thought I should just chill until 7, so I got back in bed. At 7, I tried to get out of bed but couldn’t. I was in excruciating pain. Unexplained pain. “Pain, please don’t ruin my plans today”, I prayed. I had so much to do that I prayed and prayed for the pain to go away. I tried to push through. I did. I made it to church then came right home to lay down with the hopes that doing so would help relieve the pain. 12 hours later, the pain had become more intense and unbearable and I realized I needed medical attention.

What do you do when the unexpected suddenly happens and knocks you off your feet? Both literally and figuratively? Financial hardship? Accidents? Betrayal? Relational turmoil? Displacement? Loss of a loved one? Tragedy? Health issues? How do you know what to do next? What should you do next? When these things happen you feel like you’ve been hit by a 2×4 or run over by a truck, right? It’s overwhelming. It’s hard to get back up again, isn’t it? If you’re like me, you spend time crying out to God asking Him, “Why?” While He doesn’t always tell us why, He will tell us Who. It’s the Who that can help you when the why has no answers. It’s the Who you can call on when the unexpected happens. My friend, Jesus Christ is the Who.

He is the One who comforts, guides, draws near and never leaves us. He speaks to us, heals us, picks our heads up. He restores peace and joy, rises above our understanding, feels our pain, rescues us and gives us wisdom.

Struggling with the unexpected today? Do you feel blindsided by what’s happening in your life that you never would have expected?

After an unexpected and dramatic 4 day hospital stay, I was diagnosed, treated and released. I learned once again that in times like these I needed to focus on the Who and not the why. Looking into His face comforted me and strengthened me. He gave me hope. He gave me the strength to get up again. Looking in the face of Jesus will do the same for you. When you do, you will reflect His attributes and characteristics. #reflectChrist  Dear one, let the following scriptures wash over you like a gentle rain:

 The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in Him. Nahum 1:7

I will lie down and sleep in peace, for You alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety. Psalm 4:8

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight   Proverbs 3:5,6

Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:18

My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest. Exodus 33:14

Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another.  Forgive as the LORD forgave you. Colossians 3:13

All the ways of the LORD are loving and faithful. Psalm 25:10

LORD, You establish peace for us. All that we have accomplished, you have done for us. Isaiah  26:12

God will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy. Job 8:21