You will experience unexpected events not because of what you have done or failed to do; but because that is the nature of life.
Planners and strategists and even the just and unjust experience the unexpected. For those who live as though nothing surprising can happen to them; heartbreak and disappointments are inevitable when it does happen.
The Bible says, “That you may be sons of your father in heaven; for he makes the sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and unjust” (Matthew 5:45).
The unexpected happens to people of destiny, those who are on the move and are making great things happen; not to idlers. The unexpected happens at the worst of times.
Jesus had taught multitudes the whole day and was tired when he entered into the boat with his disciples to cross over to the other side of the Sea of Galilee. He was asleep in the stern when a great windstorm arose and the waves beat into the boat and it started filling up with water.
The disciples woke him up and accused him of not caring that they were perishing. “Then he arose and rebuked the wind by saying, Peace, be still! And the wind ceased and there was a great calm,” (Mark 4:39).
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The unexpected does not give you notice. You may experience it because you are not walking in obedience. Always be in constant prayer and have faith. The disciples were fearful. Your body cannot operate under fear. Do not listen to the voice of fear instead listen to that of faith.
Some of the disciples were fishers and had experienced storms before, but this one was more severe. It seemed as though Jesus was not there (present) or concerned about them. Remember that even in the severest of storms, God is in that situation. “Behold, he who keeps Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep” (Psalm 121:4). He will carry you through it and you will not die because his plans for you are still valid and your destiny intact. Storms do not last forever; at some point, they end and there comes calm.
The unexpected happens to build, strengthen and stretch you. Do not let it define you but allow it to humble you. Apostle Paul had a condition which he referred to as ‘a thorn in the flesh’. He pleaded with God three times to remove it from him, but God assured him that his grace was sufficient for him to remain with the infirmity; so that the strength and power of Christ may rest in him.
Mary who anointed Jesus with oil and her sister Martha experienced an unexpected situation when their brother Lazarus got sick and died.
They had sent out word to Jesus to come over because their brother was sick. And though Jesus loved this family so much; he still stayed on where he was for two more days before coming to Bethany to resurrect him (John 11).
Do not waiver in your faith in God and yourself. Be confident and believe in yourself and move on with God on your side. Life is more than a relationship and even though you may lose everything, do not lose yourself.
Do not get into the blame game, instead, forgive others and yourself and learn from the experience.
Martha blamed Jesus by telling him that if he was there their brother would not have died. Choose to believe in God even after the unexpected has happened. One time, Apostle Paul was on a voyage to Rome and upon reaching Fair Haven harbour, he advised the owner and the centurion not to continue saying,
“Men, I perceive that this voyage will end with disaster and much loss, not only of the cargo and ship but also our lives.” (Acts 27:10).
From experience after past episodes of shipwreck and being in constant communion with God; he could sense that all will not end well with the ship. The men refused to heed his advice not to sail and suffered the consequences.
The storm ranged on for many days which caused the loss of many valuable items and destruction of the ship.
When they got near some land, he sensed that they were nearing land; he asked them to eat and rest then they jumped overboard the ship and escaped safely to the land.
The people of the Island of Malta welcomed them and showed them unusual kindness.
You may be in a storm that has lasted months or even years and this has caused you untold loss, destruction and depletion.
It has hit you in such a way that you are left with nothing and you must now start all over again. It takes the grace of God to rebuild your life again.
In the midst of the storm, may you experience a feeling of hope because he is still in control and he will speak to you? Lean on his promises and know that as long as you have breath, you will make it. Go back to your normal routine of life. The storm will be over!