Things Are Not Always as They Appear
When trouble rocks our world, our first response is often disappointment, anger and frustration. We might even feel like God is cursing or punishing us for some reason. The thought often farthest from our mind is to say a prayer of thanks for this blessing!
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In life, things are not always as they appear. The best remedy for viewing unexpected events (good or bad) is to withhold judgment as to whether it be a blessing or a curse. Consider this story as an example.
Years ago in Scotland, the Clark family had a dream. Clark and his wife worked and saved, making plans for their nine children and themselves to travel to the United States. It had taken years, but they had finally saved enough money and had gotten passports and reservations for the whole family on a new ocean liner bound for the United States.
The entire family was filled with anticipation and excitement about their new life. However, seven days before their departure, the youngest son was bitten by a dog. The doctor sewed up the boy but hung a yellow sheet on the Clarks’ front door indicating the possibility of rabies with a 14 day quarantine.
The family’s dreams were dashed. They would unable to make the trip to America as they had planned. The father, filled with disappointment and anger, stomped down to the dock to watch the ship leave – without the Clark family. He shed tears of disappointment and cursed both his son and God for their misfortune.
Five days later, the tragic news spread throughout Scotland – the mighty Titanic had sunk. The unsinkable ship had sunk, taking hundreds of lives with it. The Clark family was to have been on that ship, but because the son had been bitten by a dog, they were left behind.
When Mr. Clark heard the news, he hugged his son and thanked him for saving the family. He thanked God for saving their lives and turning what he had felt was a tragedy into a blessing.
Things are not always as they appear. Those events on the surface looking like a tragedy can end up producing good fruit in our lives. On the flip side, the things looking like a blessing, can end up tearing us apart.
There is no doubt our motorcycle accident was ugly and difficult but from the recovery recliner perspective, I see a great deal of blessing that has come as a result of it.
The blessings have been:
- Family closeness and connection
- Character growth
- New opportunities to speak into people’s lives
- Greater appreciation for life
- Empathy for those who suffer
- A deeper dependence on God
So before you jump to the conclusion that your tragedy is a curse not a blessing, give it a few days or weeks or months and keep your eyes open to the see the good that may come of it.
When have you been surprised by the good that came from a tragedy? What has hindered you from seeing blessing in your tragedy?
About Cam Taylor
Coach, author, speaker, father, friend, leader, life long learner.