A Norvell Note for July 19, 2021
Vol. 24 No. 28
I Didn’t Expect This
From blessings to trials, we may evaluate our lives by how we deal with the unexpected.
I didn’t expect to enjoy college so much.
I didn’t expect to fall in love.
I didn’t expect to get a call from seeing my friend at the game.
I didn’t expect to win the award.
I didn’t expect to love my children so much.
I didn’t expect this to hurt so much.
I didn’t expect the job offer.
I didn’t expect to miss my friends so much.
I didn’t expect to enjoy that movie so much.
I didn’t expect to be in so much pain after my surgery.
I didn’t expect the recovery to be so complicated and take so long.
I didn’t expect anything like this to happen to our family.
I didn’t expect people to respond with such an outpouring of love and kindness.
We must be careful when we receive an unexpected blessing that we do not believe we deserve the gift. Also, when we experience a shocking trial, we must not entertain the idea that we deserve it.
The key to dealing with the unexpected events in our lives, whether blessings or trials, is the same: with graciousness and humility.
When the unexpected is a trial of unparalleled proportions, accept them with humility and graciousness. “Humble yourself in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.” (James 4:10)
When the unexpected is a blessing of unimaginable magnitude, “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” (Lamentations 3:22-23)
We have no control over the unexpected events that come our way, but we choose how we respond to them. Remain humble. Live graciously.
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