Surprises

Our lives here on earth are full of surprises. Sometimes those surprises are good and sometimes they are bad, but they are surprises none the less. Many times the bad surprises seem to happen in rapid succession, one right after the other, and it can sometimes seem that we will never again see a day where something good happens unexpectedly. Sometimes during our stay here on earth the bad seems like it doesn’t let up, like there is no rest for the weary, and like every good thing has been beaten into non-existence.

Other times, the good seems to pile on like a triple-scoop ice cream cone made with your favorite ice cream. There seems to be no end to the wonderful things our God places in our hands. All our efforts prosper, we have the right words at the right times, we know how to maneuver our way through difficult situations, and we feel like we could scale a mountain in a single step, if we put our mind to it.

Life is full of these ups and downs, these hills and valleys, these mountains and ravines. Sometimes our highs seem too high, and sometimes our lows seem too low. Then a ray of light shines through our cloudy day showing us the way to get back up off the bottom and begin climbing again. A foothold presents itself, and we take it, and begin the process over again.

No matter what situation you find yourself in, remember to praise God. In Philippians 4, Paul writes these words from the prison he was placed in:

“I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.”

Paul knew how to be content, and taught us something about the valleys. In Acts 16, Paul and Silas had their robes torn off them, they were beaten with rods, and then they were thrown into prison. The next verse goes like this:

“But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God…”

The way to contentment is found through total and complete trust in our Lord. When we know He is watching over us and caring for us, we are able to be content wherever we are and in whatever circumstance we find ourselves in.

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”

-Hebrews 13:8

Among all the surprises life brings, there is One who is not surprising, in fact He has been the same forever. Trust in Christ, trust in His teachings, and remember to praise Him always.