By Rodetta Cook

Rodetta Cook has been a pastor’s wife for over 40 years. She and her husband, Ron, have actively served the Lord together in ministry during the entire time and are co-founders of Care for Pastors. She understands the expectations, loneliness and how hard it is to find balance in ministry as a pastor’s wife. Rodetta also leads the pastor’s wives initiative at Care for Pastors called The Confidante and ministers to hundreds of wives each week. She strives to share blogs with other pastors’ wives that will help them in their ministry walk.

Posted by Rodetta Cook

Topics: For Pastors' Wives · Spiritual Walk

The Unexpected

Monday, January 21, 2019

Here we are three weeks into 2019 and you may still be reflecting on this past year and what God has done in your life or maybe you are reflecting on some of the unexpected things that happened in your life this past year. Whatever the case may be, none of us know what the year ahead holds.

So I want to encourage you that when the “unexpected” comes along, accept the situation immediately. If not, it can turn into resentment. Resentment can turn into anger, and anger into bitterness and bitterness into a hard heart. When the “unexpected” happens, ask God to help you keep a soft heart and then use the pain you have experienced to encourage someone else that may be going through a similar situation. God allows trials in our lives so that we can comfort others (II Corinthians 2:3).

Remember God is sovereign over everything in your life and He sees the big picture. Claim Romans 8:28: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to His purpose.” We may not understand it or like it, but we are promised it is for our good.

God never promised us a smooth road, but He has promised He would never leave us or forsake us. Hebrews 13:5b “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”

Because He sees the big picture, we must learn to trust Him with what we can’t see. Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

So when the “unexpected” comes, and it will, claim His promises and stand firm on them! Don’t let Satan steal your Joy!