Real Help

Stop and think about how many suddenlies you deal with in a day or a week.

You know…

Suddenly, there’s no Internet. Suddenly, the puppy left a wet spot on the new rug for you to clean up. Suddenly, the car has a flat.

Or, it could be…

Suddenly, you got a raise. Suddenly, you’re expecting a baby. Suddenly, you’re going on a trip.

The point is: We face a lot of ups and downs in life, and sometimes they come at us out of nowhere – and with little or no warning. And whether good or bad, those suddenlies can bring a world of change to our lives, change we weren’t expecting. (Or maybe we were.)

So, what do you do with suddenlies?

Yes, they’re sudden, but is there a way to prepare, to be ready for them?

Matthew 8 recounts an incident when Jesus and His disciples got caught in the middle of some suddenlies.

Late one night, after they had an amazing meeting with thousands of people (and fed them all, miraculously!), Jesus and the disciples sent everyone home, loaded up their boat, and headed to the other side of the Sea of Galilee – then came the suddenlies…

“Suddenly, a fierce storm struck the lake, with waves breaking into the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him up, shouting, ‘Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!’ Jesus responded, ‘Why are you afraid? You have so little faith!’ Then he got up and rebuked the wind and waves, and suddenly there was a great calm” (Matthew 8:24-26).

Definitely some ups and downs that night – physically and emotionally!

John 6 gives an account of another time when Jesus and His crew were headed across the same sea and, again, a sudden and violent storm hit and nearly sank their boat. This time, Jesus was walking on the water, passing by His disciples who were in the boat. Verse 21 (TPT) tells us:

“The moment Jesus stepped into the boat, they were instantly transported to the other side!”

Another suddenly!

So many times, you may feel like you’re standing around waiting for God to DO SOMETHING about a situation in your life (like, get in your boat).

Even the people of Israel – in their more impatient times – were known to say things like:

“Hurry up and do something! We want to see what you can do. Let the Holy One of Israel carry out his plan, for we want to know what it is” (Isaiah 5:19).

In reality, we need to understand that God truly is a suddenly God…

Note: The following scriptures are taken from the NASB.

• “The people rejoiced over what God had prepared for [them], because the thing came about suddenly.” –(2 Chronicles 29:36)

• “All my enemies will…suddenly be put to shame.” –(Psalm 6:10)

• “The Lord, whom you are seeking, will suddenly come to His temple.” –(Malachi 3:1)

• “An angel of the Lord suddenly stood near them.” –(Luke 2:13)

• “Suddenly there appeared…a multitude of the heavenly army of angels praising God.” –(Luke 2:9)

• “Jesus Himself suddenly stood in their midst.” –(Luke 24:36)

• “Suddenly a noise like a violent rushing wind came from heaven.” –(Acts 2:2)

• “Suddenly a light from heaven flashed around [Paul].” –(Acts 9:3)

• “An angel of the Lord suddenly stood near Peter.” –(Acts 12:7)

• “Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone’s chains were unfastened.” –(Acts 16:26)

• “They were expecting that [Paul] was going to swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But after they had waited a long time and had seen nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and began to say that he was a god.” –(Acts 28:6)

In preparing us for end-time events and His soon return to this earth – a suddenly now 2,000 years in the making – Jesus warns:

“Be careful that you never allow your hearts to grow cold. Be careful that you are not caught off guard, or your hearts will be weighed down with [living carelessly], drunkenness, and the worries of this life, and that day will come upon you suddenly like a trap” (Luke 21:34, TPT).

How are you dealing with your suddenlies?

encourages us, long before any sudden event shows up on our radar:

“Keep a constant watch over your soul, and pray for the courage and grace to prevail over these things that are destined to occur” (Luke 21:36, TPT).

Eyes wide open – you know suddenlies are headed your way. Certainly, some will be a pleasant surprise, and some you’ve been believing God for. Others, not so much.

Consider taking time this week (or, even today) and focus in on the God kind of suddenly, the kind where you can be confident that the Creator of heaven and earth has your back, no matter what comes your way (2 Chronicles 16:9).

And while you’re at it, build your confidence (your faith) in the fact that God is always sending good suddenlies your way (James 1:17).

Expect some GOOD unexpecteds!