Unexpected Turns in Life

“God’s ways are at times like heavy wagon tracks that cut deep into our souls, yet all of them are merciful.” ― Charles Haddon SpurgeonGrace God’s Unmerited Favor*

Sometimes life takes an unexpected turn. Something bad happens. And the landscape of our story changes completely. We have a new perspective, a new direction. A bad thing works for good that we did not foresee.

I have a friend who worked in an ice cream truck when he was 17 years old. That seems like a job that would have few challenges. But one day, he was robbed and beaten. The event changed the trajectory of his life.

He became a career prosecutor. He devotes his life’s work to pursuing justice for those who are robbed, beaten, cheated, or worse.

A neighbor’s grandchild was born with serious handicaps. He and his parents faced challenges most of us cannot imagine. But two of his aunts found inspiration and, because of him, became occupational therapists.

A former student’s younger sibling was born with a genetic disorder. This student graduated from a prestigious Ph.D. program after studying genetics for years. She may change the life trajectory of others who suffer from similar conditions.
 
We Christians love to quote Romans 8:28–“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” NASB

But we sometimes neglect the following verse: “For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren.” We are creations still in the shaping process–being conformed to the image of Christ.

Most of us can look back and clearly see our turning points.

We can realize now that we found our path because life changed one day. Unexpectedly. Unpredictably. Even unpleasantly and painfully.

But never without purpose.

Photo Credit: Pexels

Nancy E. Head’s Restoring the Shattered is out in paperback! Get your copy here!

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Disclosure of Material Connection:  I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the entities I have mentioned. Restoring the Shattered is published through Morgan James Publishing with whom I do share a material connection. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

18 Replies to “Unexpected Turns in Life”

  1. I used to wish God would warn me about coming turning points in life. But now I realize that if He did, I wouldn’t have the gift of grace and would end up worrying! He gives the grace needed only WHEN it’s actually needed!

  2. My life was transformed by two big events. The first was to become pregnant at age seventeen, causing me to lose my full-ride college scholarship. The second big transformation came when my body began to attack itself with an autoimmune response.

    The outcome of these two events had similar results. In the first instance, I poured myself into raising our six children, homeschooling them, and studying our college-level material alongside them. The second brought a full-body assault on my body, an attack at the cellular level. As with the first, I must press on, trusting in the Lord.

    1. It’s hard to understand God’s ways in allowing your second circumstance, Melinda. Even so, your testimony of faith in our faithful God is solid. Thanks and God bless!

  3. I agree Nancy. Sometimes the hardships of life teach us the greatest lessons and change our pathway to one that blesses others and ourselves. Thank you for this uplifting and inspiring message.

  4. My life has been filled with unexpected turns, including much pain. The only way I’ve been able to make sense of them is to trust that his plans are better than mine. Dropping out of college could have turned into one of my biggest regrets, yet it led to a lifetime career I love in early childhood education. I’ve channeled the pain of grief and addiction into my writing and God has used that pain to minister to women who long for the freedom he’s given me. My priest’s wife recently said on a podcast that she expects to get to heaven exhausted; I took that to heart.

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