BrendaHubbard

A few typical words that follow a real-life unexpected curveball are:

Hey, what’s going on? Wait, what happened? Who? Oh wow! Okay, no problem. I’ll be right over. Are you okay? I’ll see what I can do, even though we typically plan our days out and try to take care of the small details. Unforeseen events or news about something or someone may disrupt things. The sooner we realize this is all part of life, the better we can navigate past it. The key detail is how we handle these events. 

That’s great for day-to-day operations, but what happens when you have to adjust your schedule? Are you accommodating a temporary or permanent change?

The following tips are intended for the reader who is a believer and follower of Jesus Christ, filled with the Holy Spirit. And if not, prayerfully, this blog will help you consider becoming one. 

1. Go to God in Prayer: 

First, take the entire situation to God in prayer and decide not to make sudden moves without praying about it and listening for the best counsel you can receive, which is the guidance from the Holy Spirit. He will lead and guide you to take the proper steps. Give God time to respond and allow time to sleep on it. Promise God not to move before He has given you instructions on what to do, because if not, the decisions can cost more than what you bargained for. The story below is an excellent example of what happens when we do not go before God for direction on a matter. 

“Then Joshua tore his clothes and fell facedown to the ground before the ark of the Lord, remaining there till evening. The elders of Israel did the same, sprinkled dust on their heads. And Joshua said, “Alas, Sovereign Lord, why did you ever bring this people across the Jordan to deliver us into the hands of the Amorites to destroy us? If only we had been content to stay on the other side of the Jordan!” Joshua‬ ‭7‬:‭6‬-‭7. 

Joshua believed the battle would be easy, given their previous victory. Unfortunately, Joshua did not pray or consult God about direction before going into this battle. Had he prayed and waited to hear from God, he would have discovered that one of his peers had stolen a devoted thing, and because of that, they had no success standing up against their enemies. 

“The Lord said to Joshua, “Stand up! What are you doing down on your face? Israel has sinned; they have violated my covenant, which I commanded them to keep. They have taken some of the devoted things; they have stolen, they have lied, they have put them with their own possessions. That is why the Israelites cannot stand against their enemies; they turn their backs and run because they have been made liable to destruction. I will not be with you anymore unless you destroy whatever among you is devoted to destruction.” Joshua‬ ‭7‬:‭10‬-‭12‬. 

“Go, consecrate the people. Tell them, ‘Consecrate yourselves in preparation for tomorrow; for this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: There are devoted things among you, Israel. You cannot stand against your enemies until you remove them.” Joshua‬ ‭7‬:‭13‬. 

What a reminder that even when God gives us victory in an area of our lives, and we face something similar to what we faced before, we cannot assume victory will be ours again. Let this be a reminder to go to God in prayer to ask for the next step before moving forward with an important decision or assignment, because doing so can help us avoid unforeseen issues or receive guidance on what to do. 

2. Decide to be Obedient:

It is essential to decide to obey God in our hearts before He gives us instructions on what to do. The reason is that if we don’t, it will be harder to obey God when the assignment is given. 

“Teacher,” he declared, “all these I have kept since I was a boy.” Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” At this, the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth. Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!” The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” Mark‬ ‭10‬:‭20‬-‭25‬ ‭

The rich man had no idea what Jesus would ask him to do, and when Jesus told him, it was disheartening because he was not ready to do it. He believed he would do anything, but in his heart, God knew there was one thing he was holding on to. Are we willing to do anything God asks us to do? Are we open to being uncomfortable? Let’s grow in God to discover our purpose and understand that the real meaning of life is not found in possessions, but in the impact we have on others through sharing the Gospel and understanding our assignment on earth.

3. Trust in the Assignment:

“Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me.” But Jonah ran away from the Lord and headed for Tarshish. He went down to Joppa, where he found a ship bound for that port. After paying the fare, he went aboard and sailed for Tarshish to flee from the Lord.” ‭‭Jonah‬ ‭1‬:‭2‬-‭3‬

We may receive assignments from God that are not the easiest or most pleasing to obey, but trusting that God knows best is key to this journey. There are blessings in obedience that we do not know can be unlocked by trusting in God and what he wants to do in our lives. 

Some assignments come with a daily focus on doing what’s right in front of you at that given moment, and that’s it. Then tomorrow, the next assignment will come into play. How do I know? The Bible gives us an explicit instruction on this matter. “Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew‬ ‭6:34‬. It is simple, let’s focus on today and what we need to accomplish today, because tomorrow is another day with new tasks and unforeseen circumstances. 

4. Repeat steps 1-3:

When life brings changes that alter the course of what we had in mind, repeating the steps above is so necessary because God said in Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

‭‭So even tho we might not like the change that took place, he said that the plans He has for us are to help us. That might be hard to grasp in the moment, based on the circumstances that you could be navigating, but trust and have faith that He has and will work everything out for your good. “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
‭‭Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭28‬. 

Allow me to pray for you, Heavenly Father, thank you for the reader on the other side of this screen who has taken their precious time to read this blog with the hope of receiving insight and revelation. I pray that through these words, they can see the light at the end of the tunnel and that you minister to their soul all for your glory. Heal any wounds, scars, or trauma that can be blocking them from becoming who you’ve called them to be and guide them in your way, everlasting in Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen. 

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