I Don’t Like Being Caught off Guard
LYSA TERKEURST
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“But blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him.” Jeremiah 17:7 (NIV)
You know how some people love the thrill of being surprised?
They love surprise parties. They would love to show up at work today and learn they are being whisked away from their desk for a vacation in just a few hours. They would even love to have one of those makeover shows show up at their house with a film crew and a whole new wardrobe.
Surprises feel exciting to them. Like how some people feel when a roller-coaster ride they thought was over suddenly takes off again and starts doing upside-down loops. They throw their hands in the air and embrace the thrill of the unknown.
They call that fun. I don’t.
I can usually manage my dislike of surprises in all the situations I just mentioned. My friends know not to throw me a surprise party. After the initial shock, a surprise vacation or a new wardrobe could be nice. I might even be able to stomach a roller coaster, if I can thoroughly check it out and know its patterned route before I agree to ride it.
But life is different. Life twists and turns and throws loops into places we think will be flat and smooth. Sometimes it catches us off guard.
At the end of the day, I guess that’s why I don’t like to be surprised. Getting caught off guard makes me feel exposed, afraid, and put on the spot before I’ve had any time to think through my response.
But slowly … I’m learning it’s not all bad to be surprised.
That vulnerable place reminds us we have needs beyond what we can manage. Feeling a little exposed and afraid reminds us we need God. Desperately. Completely.
And in that gap between what we think we can manage on our own and what we can’t manage, faith has the opportunity to grow deep roots. Roots that dig down into the hope and joy and peace only God can offer.
I’m challenging myself to remember my faith doesn’t just need to grow big — it needs to grow deep, like the Bible describes in Jeremiah 17:7-8:
“But blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit” (NIV).
How do we get deep spiritual roots? The same way a tree grows deep physical roots. The roots of a tree will never go through the pain and effort of digging deeper until there isn’t enough water from the surface to satisfy it. There’s water to be found in the deeper places.
And the gift of going through hardship to get to the deeper water is that deeper roots can help the tree withstand thrashing winds from bigger storms. A tree with shallow roots is in great danger of being knocked down and taken out.
We are much the same. Shallow seeking of God will produce shallow believing and leave us vulnerable to falling. But deep seeking will produce deep believing and equip us to stand firm, no matter what may catch us off guard.
- Deep roots keep us secure in God’s love when fear comes.
- Deep roots anchor us in the truth that God is in control, even when unexpected hardships surround us like unruly winds.
- Deep roots hold us steady in God’s peace during the storm that didn’t show up on our radar.
- Deep roots find nourishment in God’s grace when the surface gets awfully dry.
- Deep roots propel us to grow in our faith more than we might otherwise be desperate enough to do.
- Deep roots remind us that the quicker we surrender to God what we don’t understand, the less we will suffer.
I’m learning not to be so afraid of what might be around the next corner, even if it does catch me off guard. I close my eyes and whisper to the Lord, Deeper still. And with that, I may not be completely ready, but I can be much more steady with each next step.
Lord, I’m so thankful You’re in control and You always have a plan. More than I dislike being caught off guard, I love You and I trust You. Help my roots grow deep as I open my hands and my heart in surrender to You. Thank You for the healing perspectives You are showing me through Your Word today. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
OUR FAVORITE THINGS
That which we don’t trust, we’ll try to control. Friend, it’s time to stop carrying the weight of holding everything and everybody together by surrendering what you’re most worried about into God’s fully capable hands. Lysa TerKeurst wants to help you take that first step in the pages of her new book, I Want to Trust You, but I Don't: Moving Forward When You're Skeptical of Others, Afraid of What God Will Allow, and Doubtful of Your Own Discernment. Get your copy here!
ENGAGE
Find real-life encouragement when you connect with Lysa TerKeurst here on Instagram.
FOR DEEPER STUDY
Lamentations 3:22, “The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end …” (ESV).
How does it encourage you to know “the steadfast love of the LORD never ceases”? When is it most comforting for you to remember that nothing catches Him off guard? When is it most challenging to trust Him?
We’d love to hear from you! Share your thoughts in the comments.
© 2024 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
P.O. Box 3189
Matthews, NC 28106
www.Proverbs31.org
Originally published Thursday, 14 November 2024.
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