Surprise | Crosstraining 7.7.15

Acts 27:14-24 In the show, How I Met Your Mother, the characters of Barney and Marshall have a slap bet. Basically, Marshall has the right to slap his friend Barney in the face 5 times, and he can slap him whenever and wherever he wants. While I’m sure getting in the face is bad enough, it’s the surprise of not knowing when the slap is coming that really messes with Barney’s head. Sometimes it’s the surprise of something bad happening that makes it worse than it actually is. We’ve all been blindsided by tough situations in our life. Everything seems to be going fine until, all of the sudden, they aren’t. These moments of crisis feel like a punch in the gut not only because they are tough times but also because they catch us off guard. No matter what happens, though, God is never taken by surprise whatever the circumstances of our lives. God is right there with us through the toughest moments of our lives. He is big enough and strong enough to help us through whatever we’re facing. Remember that whenever you’re taken by surprise by something going on in your life, God isn’t. He’s in control no matter your circumstances. // TWO-A-DAYS // GO A LITTLE FARTHER WITH YOUR DAILY DEVOTIONS // Go through these questions with your spouse, kids, or friend, or you can even journal about the answers to these questions:

1. What was the best part of your day?
2. What was the toughest part of your day?
3. Where did you mess up today?
4. Where did you see God today?

Reflect: When was the last time you were taken by surprise with something tough in your life? Why do you think difficult situations are harder to deal with when they are unsuspected? Pray: In your prayer time today, talk to God about the things in your life that are overwhelming. Ask Him to help you through whatever situations you are facing. READ THROUGH THE NEW TESTAMENT: Today’s Reading: Philemon]]>