Have you ever been watching a movie and suddenly it takes an unexpected turn? Or if you’re a reader, maybe you can remember a book that you were reading and suddenly the plot twists.
Wow! I didn’t see that coming.
Life is so much like that, full of twists and turns, ups and downs. The unexpected is inevitable.
Everyone loves a good plan — whether it’s a mystery movie, a true crime story, or even the plan for our own lives. We love to figure everything out and make our plans. Plans give us a sense of control. But life doesn’t always go according to plans.
A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps. Proverbs 16:9 NKJV
What happens when life suddenly takes an unexpected turn? The job falls through, an opportunity disappears, a relationship crumbles, we get blindsided by a doctor’s diagnosis, or face the unexpected loss of a loved one. What do we do when the path we’ve paved abruptly disappears beneath our feet?
The truth is, unexpected circumstances are a part of everyone’s life. No one is immune to disappointments or detours. Unforeseen diversions are not something new.
Consider Joseph. When he told his family what he “saw” in his dream, he didn’t “see” the pit or the prison on the way to the palace.
When David was anointed to be king, he didn’t “see” the struggles he would face before he sat on the throne.
Job was a righteous and prosperous man who was living the good life. He didn’t “see” the loss of his family, his wealth, and even his health coming.
Throughout the Bible, we see numerous examples of people who experienced things they didn’t see coming.
When our expectations are shattered, it’s not a sign that God has lost control. Often, it’s in those very moments of disruption that God is doing His most intensive instruction in us.
God was not surprised by any of the things you didn’t see coming. On the contrary, He saw them — and provided a path through each one.
When life takes an unexpected turn, we have two choices: we can panic and resist, or we can pause and trust. Trust doesn’t mean we have all the answers. It doesn’t mean the pain disappears. But it does mean we choose to believe that God’s plan is better, even when it looks different from ours.
What felt like closed-door rejections were actually Divine redirections — helping us better understand God’s greater direction.
Here are some practical steps to help you walk through the unexpected with faith.
- Pause and Pray — When life throws the unexpected at you, resist the urge to panic. Instead, take a moment to pause and turn to God in prayer. Be still and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10 KJV
- Perceive God’s Presence — Chaos does not diminish God’s power. He does some of His best work in our worst situations. God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1 NKJV
- Proceed With Purpose — Move forward with faith. God’s not finished with you yet. Your purpose is still God’s plan. Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Psalm 119:105 NKJV
You may not have seen this twist in the road coming, but God did. And He’s already in your tomorrow. Before you got out of bed this morning, God was already there. He’s writing a story that’s far richer and deeper than anything you could plan on your own. As hard as it may be, release your grip on what you thought life would be, and open your heart to what life can be through God’s help.
Still Believing!
