Reflex Reaction

There are times in life when bad things happen, very bad things. It could be news about health, ours or a loved one's, or a tragic accident, or a financial or marital situation. All sorts of things unexpectedly come our way and our first reaction is to panic, to get in shock, disbelief, fear and worries take over our mind and our very being.  

This is only natural. It is our human nature to behave so. Fight or flight reflex goes back to early man. 

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

Some have interpreted this saying of Jesus as meaning that God does not want us to be weighed down. He wants to give us rest in life; and His purpose for us is not an onerous one or an unbearable burden. He wants us to enjoy this life and not endure it as a punishment or a trial. And when  things go wrong we don't have to carry the load alone because we are yoked to Jesus. God will not give us a load that is too much for us to carry.

But there is more to it than just that. What Jesus is saying here is that when things go wrong we should turn to Him and share our troubles. Our first reflex reaction should be to turn to Him instinctively. 

Of course, often this is not the case, but once the original shock has subsided a little, we should immediately turn to Christ and hand the whole situation to Him. This act of faith, blind faith perhaps, born out of desperation, connects us to God in a way we cannot even imagine. 

The pressure of the moment may compel us to react in a human way; but at the very least, for a split second perhaps, we should instinctively put the situation in God's hands in the sure knowledge that He will handle it according to His will. He has brought us to this moment in life and He will see us through it.

This simple act of handing the situation over to God opens a channel of Divine activity. We are in fact acknowledging His omnipotence and acquiescing that in all things His will be done.

Our first move should be to hand over the distressing event to God, and then patiently wait and watch His power and intervention in action.

If God wants us to act in any way, He will show us what to do or say and how to do it. Our role is to hand over the situation and patiently wait in all the trust and faith we can muster that He is in control.