Life can change so suddenly. You go to bed one night and all is well with the world. By that same time the following day, everything has changed.

I’ve just found myself thinking about that lately. We don’t know what a day will hold. A friend of mine lost her job without warning this week. I watch the news in the morning, and by the evening things have happened in the world that nobody even had on their radar earlier in the day. I passed an auto accident on the way home from work on Friday and thought to myself that those people had no idea that was going to happen that afternoon. They just left their homes in the morning thinking it would be a “normal” day, and now their world is quite literally, shattered.

Things happen. Life changes in a moment. A phone call, a knock at the door, a news alert, squealing car brakes.

Can we ever really be ready?

Actually, I think in a way, we can be. Whether my life is mundane or chaotic or spinning so fast I don’t know which way is up, nothing will happen to me that hasn’t passed through my Father’s hands first. When the “sudden terror” comes, my first thought needs to be about God, not about me.

Do not be afraid of sudden terror, nor of trouble from the wicked when it comes; For the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught. Proverbs 7:25-26

He will not be afraid of evil tidings; His heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord. His heart is established; He will not be afraid. Psalm 112:7-8

God seems to spend a lot of time letting us know that we really have nothing to fear as long as our confidence is in Him. I need to fill my mind with His promises now, on the blue-sky and sunshine days, so when the sudden storms come (which, of course, they will), I’m not hopeless or angry or dazed or lost.

The Lord knows what today will hold for me. He knows what it will hold for you. And knowing that means the “sudden” is nothing to fear.

Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you. I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10

Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. John 14:1