How Do You Face Up To Life's Unexpected Turns?
Today's Devotional and a Sneak Peek at My Upcoming Book
When my son Kevin was about to turn seven, we planned a special celebration. As our only child at the time, we wanted his birthday to be memorable. We reserved a function room at a hotel and began planning well in advance.
However, just months before Kevin’s birthday, my father called a family business meeting. The economic crisis sweeping across Asia had severely impacted us. Our customers were struggling to pay, and a major company that owed us a significant amount was nearing bankruptcy. My father’s message was clear: we needed to prepare for tough times ahead. “We must tighten our belts and deal with this reality,” he said.
At that moment, I was faced with a choice: deny the harsh reality or accept it and adjust our plans. Although hesitant at first, I knew I needed to choose the latter.
George and I decided to cancel the hotel reservation and opted for a modest celebration at McDonald’s with Kevin’s friends. It wasn’t the grand celebration we had envisioned, but surrounded by the laughter of children and the warmth of family and friends, we realised that joy wasn’t found in extravagance—it was in the people we shared the moment with.
In the months that followed, my husband and I focused on preparing for an uncertain future. We reduced our spending, saved diligently, and I returned to school to complete my master's degree—equipping myself for work outside the family business. We also considered moving overseas.
Dealing with this reality was hard and painful. But what troubled me more was seeing others around us—especially people we knew—continue living as if nothing had changed. They partied, traveled, and spent money freely, seemingly unaware of the economic storm brewing.
However, within a year of our move to New Zealand, the businesses we left behind—including those of close family and friends, some that were significantly larger than ours—gradually closed down, unable to withstand the financial pressures.
God’s wisdom shows us that sorrow, though difficult, can lead us to wisdom and a renewed perspective (Ecclesiastes 7:3). Life’s challenges invite us to grow if we’re open to them. Rather than avoiding hardship, we learn to meet it with faith, letting God work in us and trusting He will lead us through.
The Prayer of the Wise
Heavenly Father, when life takes unexpected turns, help me to face reality with faith, not fear. Teach me to trust Your wisdom, knowing that even in hardship, You are shaping me for something greater.
Give me the strength to make wise decisions, the humility to adjust my plans, and the peace to rest in Your will. May I walk forward with confidence, knowing You will lead me through every storm. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Want to Walk in True Wisdom?
I’d love to invite you to journey deeper with me in my upcoming book, Live in the Ways of the Wise, releasing this May. This devotional is filled with practical wisdom God has graciously revealed to me through life’s experiences and the people He has placed in my path.
Inside, you’ll find biblical guidance for navigating faith, relationships, health, finances, and the many decisions—big and small—that shape our lives.
How often do we trust God but still struggle with unwise choices? Live in the Ways of the Wise is for those seeking to apply God’s truth to everyday life. Stay tuned for more wisdom-filled devotionals, coming soon!
Cindy
🎵 Listen to an inspiring song
Laura Story’s Blessings reminds us that hardships can hold hidden mercies. The line “What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise?” speaks deeply to how God refines us through sorrow.
If you're facing uncertainty, listen to Blessings by Laura Story and find the comfort and hope you need.
