As we all know, “life happens”, and these past couple of weeks, or even months, have taught me the importance in remaining calm in stressful situations and dealing with the unexpected.

Life — we have our calendars all laid out and booked up for our week ahead so we think we know what we will be doing each day and when we’ll be doing it. But then the unexpected happens. You are left scrambling, having to completely change everything you had planned out. When the unexpected happens, it leaves us missing things. Sometimes it may lead to missing out on something we really wanted to do and it can mean missing out on getting together with people you had really looked forward to seeing. All of these things can be frustrating and disappointing.

Life is full of curve balls that is bound to come up and mess up our best laid plans. It is simply a part of life. Injuries happen, vehicles breakdown, and someone you love may leave. There are all kinds of unexpected things that come up and force us to modify our plans. When they happen, we have to make sure we don’t allow ourselves to let those feelings of disappointment, frustration, and stress overtake us because the moment we do, we have pretty much ensured that we, whatever the new plan is, will be a miserable experience for us and likely those around us as well. I know because I use to, and still sometimes do, allow these unexpected things to really get to me.

I have learned that it is 100% within my control to have a totally different attitude when plans change. I can decide that rather than focusing on “what could’ve been”, I could focus on perhaps this change of plan was meant to bring something better into my life. Of course, it is often hard to picture what could be better when you had your own great plan already laid out, but that’s the beauty of it. Our minds can’t see all of the millions of other possibilities of what special things might take place. We have no idea just how incredible this new plan might actually turn out to be. If we go into the change of plans with that attitude then we are far more likely to produce a more fulfilling week or even year ahead.

Here are some things to alleviate the stress of the unexpected:

1. Remember, one thing at a time: It’s important to remember that you can only do one thing at a time. Take a moment to determine what is the most important and once the unexpected has passed, start there.
2. Ask for help: By all means do not feel ashamed! If you can find a way for someone to pitch in and take a little bit of the load off, ask for help! A little support can go a long way.
3. Plan for the unexpected: This might sound a little crazy, but just hear me out. These past couple of months have taught me that the unexpected happens all the time. Maybe plan ahead and cook dinner a day or two early if you are having a hectic week.

A way that helps me think of the unexpected as a good thing is a heart beat. When you look on a monitor, your heart beat moves up and down. But when we are dead, it has flatlined. So without all of the unexpected turns, our life would be very plain and would have no color. It wouldn’t really be life as it is. That’s just something to think about.

Here’s another thing to ponder and let me know what you think: “Doesn’t expecting the unexpected make the unexpected expected?” – Bob Dylan

Love,

Emily

Never doubt God’s mighty power to work in you and accomplish all this. He will achieve infinitely more than your greatest request, your most unbelievable dream, and exceed you wildest imagination! He will outdo them all, for his miraculous power constantly energizes you.

Ephesians 3:20 TPT