It amazes me how quickly things can go south, snowballing from bad to worse, and I allow myself to become overwhelmed by it all. Recently I had such an experience on what was an otherwise grand day, my daughter’s 23rd birthday. It began with brunch for friends and family at a favorite bagel restaurant. Although our daughter was house-and-pet-sitting that week, she’d planned fun activities interspersed throughout the day; I would cover for her in the evening so she could stay out longer with her siblings and friends.
Late that afternoon, just before I left home to relieve her, I realized there was a problem with our plumbing: the toilets wouldn’t flush. I called and asked my husband to hurry home from work ASAP and check it out. A few minutes later as I pulled onto the highway, I heard an explosive sound and ducked. Scanning around me, I discovered a starburst crack with a tail trailing behind it at the edge of my windshield.
The plumbing situation turned out to be more than my DIY-savvy husband could handle. He called a plumber, but they couldn’t work us into the after-hours schedule; we would have to wait until morning. Though I spent a relaxing evening curled up with a book in front of a fire watching two little dogs for my daughter, it never left my mind that I would return to a house without plumbing and overnight lows near freezing. We hoped our gate code worked year-round for the bathrooms at our neighborhood pool.
Worry kept me from sleeping well. I found out what I was willing to do with a full bladder on a dark night in a private backyard. Once morning’s light — and soon after, the plumber — arrived, I made the mile drive to the pool, where our gate code did work. Hallelujah.
While the plumber worked to blast out roots that had grown through our sewer line, three family members called me: one celebrating a deeply-desired success, one fearful of dire circumstances out of her control, and one wounded by another’s words. I rejoiced with one, helped another, and spoke truth to the last. Highest of highs and lowest of lows.
By the time the plumber left, I was exhausted and hungry. The nice young man who handed me a fast food salad couldn’t have known I was stretched so thin I felt like crying when I realized he sent me home with ranch instead of honey mustard dressing. Later I stood in the shower for a long time with my head bowed, letting the hot water run over me.
Occasionally I need a reminder that I have no idea what the people I encounter are going through. The world can turn upside down so quickly. It’s easy to judge others when we don’t know the situations they are facing. Can we ever truly understand another person’s circumstances? It’s no fun being on the receiving end of a day like the one I just experienced, but those days are lived out all around us. No one gets a pass: the pipes will burst, the doctor will call, the bills will arrive, and the words will be spoken. It’s just a matter of time.
Sometimes we stand in the middle of a whirlwind as everything spins out of control. The foundation shakes beneath us and we reach out, desperate for something to hold. Friends, when we reach for some thing we’re missing the point — for our hope is in some One, the person of Christ Jesus.
In John 14:27 Jesus says, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” He gives us peace as a gift to ease our hearts and the Holy Spirit to remind us of it.
Jesus can bring peace to your mind when circumstances bring anxiety.
Jesus can bring calm in the morning after a troubled night.
Jesus can bring divine perspective when the world wounds us.
The next time your world unexpectedly spins out of control, remember Jesus’ words. Let the voice of the Holy Spirit within you anchor you to peace more firmly than the voice in your head pushes you toward despair.
Thank you for this encouragement. Sometimes we are ready to burst into tears. We can picture Jesus giving us a deep hug saying my daughter you are not alone. I’m with you and I love you
Ariel, that’s a beautiful visual. Peace to you!
AMEN! Oh how I needed that! <3 Please pray for my mama and me as we go through circumstances out of our control, and as we cling to The One who is in COMPLETE control!
Soli Deo Gloria! <3
Amy, I just prayed for you and your mama. Blessings to you!
Amy,
Abba Father- you alone know the circumstances of Amy & her mom. Come alongside them & comfort them during this time. Guide their steps & give them a discerning heart. Send peace to their souls. AMEN!
Blessings 🙂
I can so relate. I woke up to no internet (finally resolved after an hour of chatting with the tech support folks) , a leak in my new shower (my contractor is going to try to squeeze me in this week to fix it), and my TSA pre-check appointment that I have waited for almost 2 months was cancelled as I was about to leave for the 1 hour drive (now rescheduled to the first week of February and I pray there is no winter storm as I live in Maine). And, I had turned down a request to sub at my local school today because of the appointment- I am retired and need the extra income. So I am trying to find a little peace in my morning. I find it so amazing that these daily posts are so timely and relate to my life. And more importantly, I need to remember that I do not know what others are dealing with and that God is here for me. Peace indeed!
Madeline, there were problems with FAA computers this morning, so it might have affected the whole aviation industry. I’m glad you hadn’t started the drive and sorry you missed the opportunity to sub. I hope your day at home holds unexpected blessings.
Dawn, thank you for such encourging words. I needed this right now. Trusting in Him to handle all situations.
Fannetta, I’m glad this spoke to you. Blessings!
Thank you, Dawn! Such good reminders of our Lord’s grace!
You’re welcome, Irene!
Dawn thank you for what you wrote. When we are going through any situation. We know Jesus can give us peace in the most of it all. Especially if we know we are not a fault. We tried to explain why we can’t or really can’t do something someone is asking us to do. They get all hot headed with us. For not saying yes to what they want us to do. They don’t understand why it doesn’t really suits us to do it. If we could we would. Then they think in their minds we are being mean we are not. They let us know they are not happy with us for saying it really does not suits us to do what you want us to. Then we can feel the tears coming. Say to ourselves why don’t they see why it doesn’t really suit us to do what they are asking. No matter how we nicely explain why we can’t really do what they want. They just think we are trying to get out of doing it. Not wanting to help them out. But if really suited us we would have done it. But not all the time it will suit us to do everything people ask us to do for them. Then if don’t say yes right away well do it. We try to explain why it doesn’t really suits us to do. We can see a difference side of people. Then if not careful we can end up saying things to either and all spiral out of control. End up regretting from the people who wanted us to do something for them and ourselves saying things we shouldn’t have. So we have to seek Jesus and ask him to give us peace in times like this. Say nicely you have to see why we really can’t do what you have asked us to do. If we could we do it for you. If they don’t want to listen to anything you have to say in why you can’t really do it. Then say they ok. Don’t get into any more words with them over it. Ask Jesus to help you forgive them and forgive them if they said anything that was not nice because you could not really do what they wanted you to do and you tried to explain why. Plus ask Jesus to forgive you also if you said anything to them that you shouldn’t have because you got annoyed they not listen to why and see your point of view you couldn’t really do what they asked you do. Then ask Jesus to give you his peace especially if it got a bit out of control and heated with word from both of you. I had a situation with my family. They were not willing to see why we really couldn’t do what they asked us to do. Just because we didn’t jump and say yes right away. If we could have done we would. They thought we were being mean. We were not being mean. They did want to listen to why we couldn’t really do what they were asking. So in this situation I had to ask Jesus for to give me peace as it was going to get out of control. Say to myself as Jesus told me. Be nice try explain why you really can’t do what they are asking you to do. If they don’t want to listen because you did say yes. Don’t go on talking to them and trying to explain your point. Just say nice to them. If you not going to see why we really can’t do what your asking us. We are not going to talk about it anymore as it will end up in us fallowing out. I don’t want that. I did what Jesus told me in my situation. My family they did say things to me after that that were not nice. I probably said thing to them before talking to Jesus what to do. So I went to the Lord and ask him to forgive me if I said thing I shouldn’t have to my family. Ask the Lord to help me forgive them for things they said to me because I really couldn’t do what they wanted me to do. I said sorry Lord of I said anything wrong to them in heat of moment. Because they got me annoyed because they not see were I was coming from why we couldn’t mr and my Husband really do what they were asking us to do. I then ask Jesus to give his peace. Jesus said Dawn put it behind you and don’t let annoy you they not listen why you really couldn’t do what they asked you do. Next time you see your family. Don’t even bring it up again. Let all go start fresh. Talk to them as if nothing happened. Keep on loving them. As remember they are not saved. They don’t see things the way you do just as the world does. I said Amen to that and thank you Jesus for this wisdom. Love Dawn Ferguson-Little keeping you all in prayer. Xx
Blessings to you today, Dawn, as you continue to rely on Him for peace, not your own understanding.
Really needed this today! Thankyou. I am leaning on His everlasting arms and truth!
You’re welcome, Heryl!
Such a great reminder whether I’m the one with the bad day needing the encouragement of Jesus’ peace or the one blissfully going on my way needing to show compassion & encouragement to the ones around me that may be having a really rotten no good day. Lord, make me more in tune to those around me that need encouragement & give it! Even when I think I’m the one with the bad day!!! Blessings, Dawn. Thank you for your words!
You are so welcome, Ruth. Thank you for your support of (in)!
Dawn,
Last fall I made some minor mistakes that have caused me pain. For a long time I complained about it & lamented my stupidity. Lately I’ve tried to remind myself that others have it much worse than me. Some have chronic pain not of their doing. God keeps sending me messages that remind me He is with me & isn’t finished with my story yet. One message said you are currently living one of the prayers you used to pray. This is so true! Great post!
Blessings 🙂