Life is unpredictable, but it doesn’t have to leave you disheartened (even when you’re experiencing unforeseen circumstances.) I recently had the opportunity to talk with Jillian Benfield on an episode of Your Hope-Filled Perspective podcast about how to cope with unforeseen events. In today’s post, Jillian shares five starting points to help you when you’re undergoing unexpected circumstances. Life doesn’t always go as planned, but we can navigate those unexpected circumstances with a fresh perspective.
Be sure to read to the end for a book giveaway!
5 Starting Points to Help You Undergoing Your Unexpected Circumstances
By Jillian Benfield
These 5 starting points will help you navigate through unexpected circumstances with a renewed outlook.
1.) Read John 10:10. Jesus says he doesn’t come to kill or destroy. He says He comes to give us life to the full. Jesus doesn’t promise a perfect life but an abundant one.
- How does this sit with you?
- Have you been taught that God is the force behind all of your circumstances?
- Or, perhaps that if you believe in God enough, that you will be protected by God?
Allow this verse to lead you deeper into your theology about God’s will and role in our unexpected circumstances.
2.) In this 2021 poll, most churchgoers believe God want them to prosper financially. This is called the Prosperity Gospel and this idea has infiltrated our views about the Divine. With this line of thinking- God becomes transactional.
- When examining your unexpected circumstances reflect on your views about God’s role in them.
- Did you blame yourself- that maybe if you would have believed more- God would spare you of this?
- Did you blame God- that You had been “good” enough- why would He do this to you?
- Ask yourself- What is maybe a better way to look at the Divine’s role in your unexpected circumstances?
- Ask yourself- do I have an Americanized version of Jesus?
3.) Listen to this podcast on Hedonic Adaptation. “How can winning the lottery ruin your life – while contracting an incurable disease feel like “a gift”? This podcast is about hedonic adaptation and I find it both fascinating and hopeful about how God wired us to experience the best of circumstances and also the worst.
Hint- our lives our never 100%. I believe God purposefully designed us this way because it keeps us longing. Only, we are supposed to long for what He longs for- living in Him.
4.) We may never get our old lives back. Watch this short video of me explaining how we may never get our old lives back after the unexpected, but we can get a new life. God promises resurrection- that promise is not just about the next life, but it is intertwined in the small deaths we experience in this one. God may not give us the circumstances we want, but he does make all things new, including us if we are willing.
5.) The power of ‘And’. I go more in-depth into the power of ‘And’ in the Gift of the Unexpected (Chapter 10). But here is a quick Instagram video about how we can hold our current struggles and current joys in the same hands- we don’t have to choose. While we undergo the unexpected, we can grieve what has happened and be grateful for the beauty still present and new beauty we will one day find.
How do you cope with unexpected circumstances? We’d love to hear in the comments below!
Life's twists and turns can be disheartening, but they don't have to define us. Jillian Benfield shares how to journey through unexpected circumstances with starting points for a fresh perspective. #faithjourney Share on X Embrace the power of 'And'—holding #struggles and joys in the same hands. Jillian Benfield shares about exploring the Gift of the #Unexpected, finding beauty amidst #challenges, and cherishing the new joys on the horizon. Share on X
About Jillian Benfield
Jillian Benfield is a former journalist and news anchor. She holds a broadcast journalism degree from the University of Georgia. As a freelance writer, her essays about living an unexpected life have appeared on sites such as TODAY, Good Morning America, Yahoo! News, and ABC News. Jillian regularly advocates for the full inclusion of people with disabilities in her writings, community, and as a part of the National Down Syndrome Congress’s National Down Syndrome Advocacy Coalition. Jillian and her husband, Andy, and their three children make their home on Florida’s Space Coast.
Connect with Jillian Benfield: Website / Instagram / Facebook
Book Giveaway
In conjunction with this post and the podcast interview, Jillian is giving away a free copy of her book, The Gift of the Unexpected: Discovering Who You Were Meant to be When Life Goes Off Plan.
Leave a comment below sharing with us one thing you learned about how to navigate unexpected circumstances and you will be entered into the contest for your chance to win a copy of his book.
You could also share this blog post on Facebook, Pinterest, or Twitter then comment here to tell us where you shared it and you’ll also be entered into the drawing.
The winner will be selected at random and announced next Monday, February 5, 2024. Continental United States only.
This is so helpful and speaks to my life currently….
I’m curious about “the power of ‘And’” holding both the struggle and the joy in the same hands…. looking forward to learning more.
Lin, I’m so glad this speaks to you. I pray that God encourages you during the difficult days. Blessings!
Well this post was timely, or I will say this post was in God’s timing for me. I recently been hit with unexpected news for a couple of areas, and I spent some time blaming God, which I do know better, but this post helped me slow down and think and ponder the questions she asked that we ask ourselves. I do appreciate how God works through His elect and thru even unbelievers. Thank you.
Heather, I’m so thankful God knows what we need when we need it. I pray He comforts you in your trials!
Love all the helpful thoughts for living with chronic pain, the unexpected. God Bless those who notice us.
Kristine, it’s hard, especially when pain is not visible on the outside. I hope you find comfort in the arms of your Savior.
I cope by reading inspiring books and messages. It soothes my soul being brought to heal my soul.
Kristine, I’m so glad you’ve found something helpful to help you heal. Blessings!
2023 was a year of unexpected events in my life from the unexpected death of my mother, to a health scare, and devastating injury of my oldest daughter, for a few highlights. Each time I reminded myself that nothing is unexpected to God, and He would be with me through it.
Donna, I’m so sorry for the painful trials you’ve endured in the past year. I’m so glad you know that it never takes God by surprise, AND that He will get you through it. Where would we be without that hope? As long as He is on His throne, #HopePrevails!
I know I won’t get my old life back because my unexpected experience was losing my hubby, my forever love, after 55 years so that part of my life as wife, helpmeet, lover is physically over for me but I am in the process of a new life with so many memories that it is overwhelming at times what I have lost. I try to always remember what he has gained which is Jesus and his heavenly home without pain and suffering, an old body that was so tired. What I have gained is so many firsts that I quit counting. We spent so much of our life together with only those hours he was at the office during his career years taken out. Since he retired at 47 and we began full time ministry, we were together 24/7 for the majority of the rest of our time together. So this podcast, message by both you and Jullian was so timely and so very encouraging. God knew I needed to hear you both share to help me on my journey through the firsts and to also walk the purposes and plans the Lord has for me now. I have a prophetic word HE gave me through a dear friend and that Father has confirmed in my own quiet time with Him, so I am going forward but it is painful going through the grief and loss. Missing my hubby’s physical presence and companionship has been so very hard but I am healing. Thank you both for this podcast and I would love the book. I shared this podcast on Facebook.