Life’s Unpredictable Moments

Did you ever have one of those days when you get up…the sunlight’s flickering through the curtains dancing softly upon your eyelids wishing you a good morning? A cozy night’s sleep has refreshed you for a new day to be productive, fulfilled, to bask in the Glory of God. You get ready for work or other activities planned for the day; go outside, birds are singing, neighbors extend greetings. You feel in your heart it’s going to be a great day! Then it happens…

You get in your car, the ignition won’t turn ’til the third try; at every red light, your tires screech to a halt; the cat chases other cats in your path; “bumper butt” pedestrians jaywalks through traffic on your green light, the car to your right wants to nudge in, the truck to your left cuts you off, trash truck loads up right in the lane you’re in, fire trucks blaring for you to move over, the signal light is out of commission and you’re stuck in the center lane bumper to bumper…then it happens, your car stalls….ugh!!!

You comment: “Ah, come on now!” “What now?” “Why me?” “I can’t believe it!” At this moment, your annoyance is on high alert, you’re tense, you’re anxious, and you’re getting angry. These can be reactions to unpredictable moments; however, these incidents are not purposely synchronized to ruin your day. Our attitude, action and reaction can determine the outcome of life’s challenges. We cannot act and think offensively or negatively and expect God to pour his blessings upon us. We are responsible for our thoughts and our own actions. God sees and hears all of what is said and how we behave.

In the scenarios mentioned above, we do not know why people act the way they do, but we need to guard ourselves from falling into reacting in the heat of the moment. Proverbs 15:1-4 (NIV)1A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. 2The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of the fool gushes folly. 3The eyes of the LORD are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good. 4The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life, but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.

1. Guard “yourself: When the situation pushes you to complain, argue, raise our voices, or react in any way not in keeping with gospel teachings, stop! Relax, regroup, calm down…try not to let these incidents endanger your spiritual values. Also, tension, anger can put your body in a defense mode that is unhealthy. Put the situation into perspective. When things don’t go right, test yourself with the question, “Is dwelling on this incident worth jeopardizing my relationship with my Father in Heaven?” We know that we must discipline ourselves to keep our Heavenly Father’s commandments. How will we ever be able to live with him if we don’t adopt the habit of thinking, speaking, acting, and reacting in harmony with Him?

2. Thinking positively of others: We can possibly embrace the idea that the person who cuts off a driver is late for work, but needs to work a 2nd job to cover additional non-insured medical expenses; the traffic light is off due to the safety of street personnel working; we know why public emergency units alert us. Give the benefit of doubt – we too have acted in ways that inconvenience others.

3. Find good in the situation: Maybe the inconvenience of the “traffic light” is a blessing in disguise; suppose it is a deterrent to a bad situation further up the road… as in missing the car that just ran a red light; or a driver nudging into traffic has to pick her child up who’s been left stranded. I tend to believe that these are spiritual events of protection or intervention.

4. Be tolerant-pray for others: Although the disengaged driver is just a “figure of speech in this “perspective”; but things happen. Be courteous, obliging and understanding “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows. (NIV) 2 Corin. 1:3-5

We will have unpredictable moments in life, it is how we approach these moments that matter. God has blessed us to have a life of joy and happiness; and “life” can sometimes become complicated. He provides us with resources and tools to work on the normal difficulties, obstacles, and frictions we face every day through daily prayer and scriptures. We must strive to live our lives with principles through scripture, together with prayer, and put total trust and faith in our Heavenly Father. We must adopt the mindset and behavior of tolerance, love and understanding that God wants us to live by. When these anxious moments come upon us, immediately draw upon the grace of God: “Christ is within me, Christ is around me, I cast my cares upon you, also…Heaven Father, be with the person who…”

Wake up refreshed and renewed with the presence and thanksgiving to the Holy Spirit. Fill your tank with the encouraging scriptural readings of our Precious Lord. As you begin your daily journey, pray for traveling mercies and the resources and tools to guide you through the day’s obstacles. In the midst of a traffic stop, take the time to soak in the scenic presence of His goodness, look toward the benefits of turning something good out of a situation. As you reach your destination, Praise Him for your safe arrival of blessings received. Embrace the learning experience, the encounters, peace and contentment. Let everyday be a great day of sunshine! Blessings and Praise His Name!

Scriptures: 1st Peter 1:6-9

6In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an 8Though you have inexpressible and glorious joy, 9for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.