Preparing For The Unexpected

Last evening I watched my son play basketball at camp. It was a wonderful moment filled with excitement and anticipation as he ran up and down the court preparing for the next shot. The coaches had taught them several strategies of where they were to position themselves, anticipating at any time that the ball could come their way .
As my husband and I were sitting in the stands, I looked down at my phone and noticed several messages had been left. I never keep my cell phone on during a game but as I scrolled down the messages, I learned that the life of an old friend had passed away.
It was hard to maintain my composure as my heart became flooded with memories of my high school days filled with images of my friend. News like this can come at any time, and yet I found myself overwhelmed with the unexpected. So how do we prepare for the unexpected, or is this something that we must condition our hearts for knowing at any time, life can change on a dime?
In the book of Joshua, we read about a young man, chosen by God, to lead the people of Israel into the promise land after many years in captivity in Egypt and forty years of wandering in the desert. Although Joshua had no idea of the battles he would face upon entering the land, God was fully aware of what they were up against. Just as life isn’t always handed to us on a silver platter, Joshua and the people of Israel would have to overcome the unexpected and it wasn’t going to be easy.
The Bible doesn’t promise a Cinderella life on earth. In fact, many of the chapters written are filled with stories of how God’s people faced multiple trials in their life time and how God prepared their hearts for the unexpected. In each case, we can have comfort knowing that we never face the unexpected alone. God doesn’t stand along the sidelines like a basketball coach shouting out instructions to the players. God enters our battles with us, and provides all the strength we need to overcome life’s trials. In chapter one of Joshua, God tells Joshua three times to be strong and courageous and to not turn to the right or the left but instead, turn to God’s laws and commandments. In fact, God instructed Joshua to meditate on His Word day and night so that he would be successful in overcoming anything he faced. God promised Joshua just as He promises us that He would be with him and He would never forsake him.
So how do we prepare for the unexpected? So often when we face the unexpected, many will choose to turn away from God and try to overcome the unexpected alone. Yet, meditating on God’s Word every day is what strengthens our faith by filling our hearts with the hope Christ promises to all Christian believers. Although we may be surprised by life’s events, God is never left surprised. He’s fully aware of our past, present and our future. It’s a huge comfort knowing that whether we’re on a mountain top, or in a valley of life, we never face the unexpected alone and by placing our trust in God just as Joshua did, He will help us overcome the unexpected.

“Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:8-9