Life Takes Us by Surprise

If there is one thing in life wherein it can overthrow us, it’s when it takes us by surprise. Like what happened to the daughter of a friend. She never thought that she would be terminated in her job when she arrived from her travel around Asia. She was so shocked upon knowing her predicament.

Jane Timbengan of inquirerdotnet asks, “What happens when life becomes a little disappointing?  What happens when things go entirely different from what you planned? How do you keep living when life doesn’t turn out the way you expected it? What if you don’t get the one thing that you desperately need? What if the universe decided to test you a little more?”

In my case, I turn to God for help and ask for His guidance and enlightenment. I bask myself on Jeremiah 29:11, “For I have plans for you, declares the Lord,” plan to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Timbengan has this to say, “You see, maybe it’s life telling you that all along this is the right path. That the way you plan your life isn’t the better idea to reach your goals. It is life telling you that this is where you will grow, and this is the direction to evolve and become the person you are meant to be...”

Timbengan suggests the following when things don’t turn out the way you wanted it to be:

• You have to let go of wanting to control everything. It’s okay to cry, to be lost, to be confused, to be depressed.

• Chances are you will be happier if you live in the moment. Strengthen your faith and believe that God has a better plan for you that will make you happier than you ever thought you will be.

• Life will be more appreciated when it is lived. It is more exciting when you’ve been a little bruised in your journey.

• When life doesn’t turn out the way you want it, it will make you stronger. You will realize that you can’t control everything. You will learn that life has its ways to make you feel down, dejected, and disheartened, that life will leave you scars and bruises, that life will make you realize you’re not perfect.

Rania Naim of thought catalog website has her own insights when life takes you by surprise.   She cites the following ways:

• Learn to steer the wheel in another direction. The saying “If you don’t bend you will break” is worth pondering. You may find yourself face to face with your fears and your worst nightmares, but you will have to face them.

• Reconnect with God. When we have nothing left but God, we discover that God is enough. The good thing about hitting rock bottom is the fact that it allows you to reach a higher power, ask for help, pray and seek guidance from the Creator… God sometimes gives us what we need, rather than what we want.