What Happens When Life Throws You a Curveball?

I am sure you have noticed that Adhibitus LLC has not had a new post since August. You have also probably noticed that I usually start each post with a question. This post will be no different and you will know the reason for my absence. A couple of months ago I learned that I had to either accept circumstances that were not acceptable or decide to change my employment. After a lot of thought and prayer, I choose to retire from teaching and to pursue a new course. Just about the time I got used to the idea of having a new career I learned of some health concerns that required immediate attention. After several doctor visits and many prayers from family, friends, and from the heart I am told I am on my way to healing and should be around for a long while. During this same period, a couple of my friends experienced major health issues. One experienced multiple issues and a stroke and the other has been on the transplant list for a very long time was called to receive his new heart. Anyone of these events would be traumatic enough but we experienced all three together.
So, I must ask what do you do when life throws you a curve? Many of us usually swing and miss and start complaining. I strongly suggest that before we throw up our hands, start whining and wanting to quit that we should maybe take stock and see where we are before continuing. The circumstances described above are all serious and should not be taken lightly but when you take a step back and analyze the end results it is what God intended. We can accept the results and move forward or we can resist, make ourselves miserable, and fight the outcome, but God will have the last word. Dr. Suzanne Deggs-White in Psychology Today (April 11, 2017) suggests that people respond to life’s curve balls in three ways. “First, there are those that stand on the sidelines of life, wringing their hands.” These folks want no responsibility and will wait on someone else to fix the problem. She then describes “those that are hanging out in the outfield, just twiddling their thumbs, not aware that a major challenge is headed their way. While they may not be impeding progress, they’re doing nothing to move the process along.” These people are either intentional blind to the problem or just refuse to participate. Last Dr. Deggs-White tells us that the last group is “ready to roll up their sleeves and get down to business. They may not have all the answers, but they’re willing to pitch in and do whatever they can to move things along.” Most everyone wants to be in this last group but unfortunately, that is usually not the case. Proverbs 3:5 states, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.” As humans, we all tend to think we know more than we do and as a result, we make many unnecessary mistakes. When we allow the Lord into our life, follow his plan, and allow him to carry the load it becomes much easier to make better choices. Philippians 4:13 states, “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” That seems simple enough to understand and it supports the fact that we are never along with our problems.
It seems like every time we have it all figured out and under control, something comes along and disrupts or challenges us. These “bumps in the road’, life’s curveball’s”, and “aggravations” will never end but we can be better prepared knowing that our attitude and understanding will help make things easier. Knowing that we have help in every situation also makes life easier. Isaiah 41:10 reminds us, “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God: I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”