Expect the Unexpected

Expect the Unexpected
By Don Vess

Scripture Focus
•2 Corinthians 5:7 — “For we walk by faith, not by sight.”
•Proverbs 16:9 — “A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.”
•Proverbs 27:1 — “Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.”

Devotional

Walking by faith means you won’t always see what’s coming next. That’s why we learn to expect the unexpected. Faith isn’t pretending everything is predictable—it’s trusting God when it isn’t.

Abram’s story shows us what this looks like in real life. God told him, “Go… to a land which I will show you” (Genesis 12:1). No map. No timeline. No details. Just an instruction and a promise. Hebrews 11:8 says Abraham obeyed and went even though he did not know where he was going. That’s faith in motion: obedience before clarity.

Most of us can relate. God places a vision in our hearts, and we begin making plans. Then life shifts—unexpected news, a sudden loss, an open door we didn’t anticipate, or a burden we didn’t choose. The question becomes: What do we do when the unexpected changes everything?

Scripture gives us a wise path:
1.Don’t panic—pray. When you’re caught off guard, prayer re-centers your soul (Philippians 4:5–7). Cast your cares on Him because He truly cares for you (1 Peter 5:7).
2.Guard your heart with God’s promises. Trust the Lord with all your heart—He will direct your paths (Proverbs 3:5–6). Keep your mind stayed on Him—He will keep you in perfect peace (Isaiah 26:3).

Even Jesus prepared His disciples for what they never would have expected: betrayal, scattering, suffering. Then He gave them this anchor: “In Me you may have peace… take courage, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). The unexpected doesn’t mean God has lost control. It means you’re being invited to lean into Him more deeply.

And there’s another kind of “unexpected” we must stay ready for: the return of Jesus. Scripture says His coming will be like a thief in the night—not because God is trying to scare His people, but because we’re called to live awake, alert, and hopeful (Matthew 24:36–44; 1 Thessalonians 5:1–11). Believers aren’t meant to live in fear of the future—we live in expectation of the Savior.

So yes—make plans. Be diligent. Set goals. But hold everything with open hands, because God is always directing steps. Sometimes the unexpected is painful. Sometimes it’s glorious. But if you live expectantly, trusting His heart, nothing that happens can shake your foundation.

Application
•When the unexpected hits, choose your first response: pause, breathe, and pray before you react.
•Speak Scripture over your mind: write down 2–3 promises (Phil. 4:6–7; Prov. 3:5–6; Isa. 26:3) and read them aloud daily this week.
•Ask God for the next step, not the whole map: “Lord, what’s my next obedient step today?”
•Live ready: keep your heart clean, your faith active, and your hope fixed on Christ’s return.

Prayer

Father, teach me to walk by faith and not by sight. When life surprises me, help me not to panic but to pray. Guard my heart and steady my mind with Your promises. Direct my steps when my plans change, and give me peace that comes from trusting You. Keep me awake and ready for whatever comes, and keep my hope anchored in Jesus. In Jesus’ name, amen.