What Just Happened?
/
“The angel said to the women, “Don’t be afraid. I know that you are looking for Jesus, who has been crucified. He is not here. He has risen from the dead as he said he would. Come and see.” Matthew 28:5-6
He went to the hospital for a routine test and got through it fine. He went home, became ill and ended up in the emergency room still feeling groggy from the original test. More tests were administered, and an infection and other complications were found. It was at this point that the surgeon entered the room stating he had a team ready to operate. What? All of this happened so quickly and now he had to make a decision between an immediate surgery or wait to see if the antibiotics would work. He was trying to navigate the unknown and make a decision without fully understanding nor being able to completely focus.
We have all been at this point some time in our lives. Life seems to be going along fine, and then, Wham! Life changed. We ask ourselves, “What just happened?” Life changes without warning, and we stare at what occurred trying to figure out what to do next. You may have experienced a death or loss and have been navigating through the grief and trying to adjust to this different life, and you feel like you are moving forward in life. Then, it hits you and you just feel like you are falling apart and have no control. What just happened?
No matter how much you prepare for the unexpected, you cannot prepare for everything, and life will just happen. Accidents, medical issues, emotional triggers, and even making someone irritated just happens without reason or cause. You first feel shock and numbness and sometimes it feels like you are in a fog, daze or a nightmare. You thought you had it together and were proactive in planning for life situations, but sometimes we are just blind-sided and get knocked down.
It occurs in every situation of life, especially in relationships. You think all is going well, and then the person becomes silent and does not talk to you or answer your texts or calls. You are enjoying the day together you thought, and then you get an attitude from your friend. What just happened?
You could add to my examples, but you get the point. Life is filled with times we just stop and say, “What just happened?” “How do I navigate this unknown?” First, I have learned to cry out, “Jesus, come. I need you now.” I turn to my foundation, my faith, and sometimes your faith needs to come through a trusted friend because you cannot focus. You cannot think straight or even be rational and need someone to talk you through who is grounded especially in a crisis situation. When it involves medical decisions, you need someone with you to hear what you are trying to comprehend from the doctor. It is difficult to listen when fear and anxiety take hold.
I have been reading the Gospel accounts of Holy Week – from Palm Sunday to Resurrection Sunday. The disciples had to be in shock saying, “What just happened?” especially as they gathered together after the death of Jesus. Everything they thought they believed about Jesus being the Messiah was challenged with Jesus’ death. They believed an earthly kingdom was going to happened but now Jesus was dead. What are they going to do and believe now? The women go to the tomb to weep on Sunday morning, but an angel tells them Jesus is not here. Jesus is alive. What just happened?
Things happen so quickly for the disciples, the women, and for us. Our minds cannot comprehend or process how it all fits together. We ask the “why” question and what do you do now when your world is turned upside down. Many times you have never experienced what just happened so you cannot rely on your past. Other times, you go to what you did when something similar happened either to yourself or someone else.
Sometimes, you just have to step back, pause, take a deep breath, re-group your thoughts, pray, and say, “OK, God, let’s navigate through these waters together.” Do not let anxiety and fear control you. Yes, you will be in a heightened emotional state, but God has more power than your anxiety and fear. Trust Him.
Other times, you just have to wait it out and be patient. Let people have their needed space. Let go of your control and need to be right. Let the medicine work. You do not have to put everything together and plan how everyone will deal with it. Remind yourself, you just need to deal with what is in front of you. Just one step at a time.
*********************************************
My Books are available through different venues
• Tea Story in Upper Sandusky
• Personally through me
• Amazon
Living In The Different
Live Different Moments
Life Lessons of a Lone Trooper
Check out my Newspaper Articles also on my Website – www.livinginthedifferent.com
