Respect the Unexpected

Unexpected things can swing toward what we call the “good side” or the “bad side” of life.

Unexpected early rising can set the day off course because this brain certainly needs more sleep than was granted. But it can also mean more time to settle in with God and set my affections on things above before starting my daily tasks. (And we all know I need me more Jesus.)

Unexpected visitors can mean we have to throw together snacks or a meal at the end of an already long day and do a ten minute tidy. But they can also mean refreshing fellowship and laughter and joy, that remind us of the little gifts God brings our way.

Our perspective determines which side those unexpected things fall on.

So I guess, really, we’re in control of the pendulum.

And that can be a tough pill to swallow when we’d rather not admit we are responsible for our responses.

Saturating our hearts and minds with the Word of God, slowing down to recognize His presence- even in the unexpected things of life (both good and bad) can help us navigate our days with thanksgiving rather than complaints and negativity.

Do unexpected challenges arise? Do people do things that irritate and frustrate and dishearten? Do we wish things turned out differently at times?

Of course.

But the Spirit of God who dwells in us is supposed to make a difference in how we think, how we see things, and how we respond. I am so often tempted to knee-jerk react like the old me who didn’t know Jesus.

God wants me to press into Him. I was not created to be strong enough or good enough to handle all that happens in life. I should have a well-worn path of running to Jesus. His strength is sufficient.

And tapping into the power of His Spirit is much more gratifying than any response I choose from my flesh, which may feel good in the moment. Those choices pile up over time and weigh me down, and make it harder to run on that path back to Jesus.

How can being mindful of your new life in Christ, and that you have the indwelling Holy Spirit help you respond differently today?

Galatians 5:16-25
(16) This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
(17) For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
(18) But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
(19) Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
(20) Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
(21) Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
(22) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
(23) Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
(24) And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
(25) If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.