The Habits of Surprise
Genesis 42:29-43:15
5 Common Human Reactions to Surprises
Reaction 1 – We see the negative rather than the opportunity.
Genesis 42:35-36 – “As they were emptying their sacks, there in each man’s sack was his pouch of silver! When they and their father saw the money pouches, they were frightened. Their father Jacob said to them, ‘You have deprived me of my children. Joseph is no more and Simeon is no more, and now you want to take Benjamin. Everything is against me!’”
Point: Beware of Thought Traps.
Reaction 2 – Expecting the worst.
Genesis 42:38 - “My son will not go down there with you; his brother is dead and he is the only one left. If harm comes to him on the journey you are taking, you will bring my gray head down to the grave in sorrow.”
Point: With God on your side why do you expect the worst?
Reaction 3 – We throw ourselves a Pity Party.
Genesis 43:6 – “Israel asked, ‘Why did you bring this trouble on me by telling the man you had another brother?’”
Point: Surprises often happen to draw attention to God, not us.
Reaction 4 – We negotiate for comfort.
“If it must be, then do this: Put some of the best products of the land in your bags and take them down to the man as a gift – a little balm and a little honey, some spices and myrrh, some pistachio nuts and almonds. 12 Take double the amount of silver with you, for you must return the silver that was put back into the mouths of your sacks. Perhaps it was a mistake. 13 Take your brother also and go back to the man at once.” – Genesis 43:11-13
Point: Sometimes the answer comes from Above and not from within.
Reaction 5 – We give up.
Genesis 43:14 – “And may God Almighty grant you mercy before the man so that he will let your other brother and Benjamin come back with you. As for me, if I am bereaved, I am bereaved.”
Point: It’s easy to give up on the situation when we have given up on God.
Responding to the Surprises of Life
Response 1 – Recognize your predisposition.
Romans 12:3 – “For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.”
Point: Change begins with honesty. Recognize, realize, admit your predisposition.
Response 2 – Go immediately “Vertical” and not “Horizontal”.
Matthew 6:33 – “Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
...but do you know the verse right after?
Matthew 6:34 – “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
...or how about the verses before?
Matthew 6:27 – “Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?”
Matthew 6:31-32 – “Do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.”
Point: I have never seen a habit just lie down, surrender, and die; we have to make a conscious effort to commit them to God if we want lasting change.
Response 3 – Do not Retreat...just wait.
Isaiah 40:31 – “...but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.”
Point: Remember...God’s timing is not always my timing.
May 18, 2021 All rights reserved
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