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Why does it seem that everything bad happens to us all at once? That was a comment a friend recently made regarding some things she’d been through. I know it’s something we can all identify with. It may be one particular day, or a week that has been especially difficult. Or it may be a series of adversities over a period of a year or more. Ironically, on the day that my friend made that observation, little did she know that I was having a tough day too. And little did I know that it was only going to get worse for me as the day went on. 

Aside from one bothersome matter, I couldn’t put my finger on why I was feeling so out of sorts. It was as if the devil himself had been dogging me all day. Little annoyances became major issues for me. Like the oven timer that wasn’t working for the umpteenth time as I prepared dinner. Confessing my day-long grumpy mood to my husband, I told him, “I don’t know why I’m in such a terrible mood, but everything seems to be getting under my skin today.” 

After dinner I was feeling much better. Maybe I was just “hangry” from the current doctor-prescribed-diet I’m on. I thought. Then, and just when things seemed to be getting better, it happened. The topper for a bad day—a terrible accident. 

I tripped over a raised spot in the sidewalk while disposing of garbage in our trash bins outside. Flying forward, I face-planted and hit my head hard on the pavement. With screams for help and blood gushing profusely, I managed to make it back into the house to tell my husband about my accident. Now, lest you think I’m writing about my accident with hopes of eliciting sympathy, I’m not. Well maybe just a little, but let me explain what God revealed in the-midst-of-it all. 

Praise, purpose, and thanksgiving in all things! That’s it. It’s a lesson God continues to drill into my spirit and this day wasn’t any different. 

As I sat in the ER exam room waiting for cat scan results and hoping they’d at least reveal a brain in there, I remembered God’s word in Philippians 4:6: “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God…” 

So, while waiting for the results of my scan, I said a silent prayer of praise and thanksgiving for my terrible fall. I was in a lot of pain and my eye was quickly swelling closed as my skin bloomed into black and blue. Yet I paid attention to the praise and thanksgiving that God’s word instructed. I thanked my Lord without reservation or thought about how He might work it into something good.   

When the doctor came back with the scan results, she relieved me of any worries about serious effects like a brain bleed or fractures, then, saving a surprising discovery for last, she dropped the bomb—a growth in my throat. 

Whoa! What?

Until that moment I wasn’t aware of the tumor. So, I immediately knew how fortunate the accident was. If I hadn’t had a serious accident that needed cat scans in the vicinity of where the growth was, there was no telling how long it would’ve been before I knew about the mass in my throat. A day later Romans 8:28 came to mind with resounding eye-opening clarity. “For we know that all things work together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purposes.”

This new revelation of a hidden mass also had me considering the scripture theme of the Buzz @ Chicky-Pie’s Café. Except now it was very personal. If you’ve read my new novel, you’d be aware that Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future,” is a scriptural thread that runs through the story. As Elise finds faith and comes to grips with her adversities, she begins to see God’s goodness that was there all along. Likewise, as I considered the irony of finding a hidden tumor because of a terrible accident, I was comforted knowing God’s purposeful intentions for me too. 

Now comes the second part of the Philippians scripture that I must remember.: “and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.  No doubt I’ll need it when the time comes for my surgery and biopsy. So as that day approaches, I will continue to pay attention to praising God, as well as letting His peace fill me with assurance of His good plans for me. 

Despite the joy of the Christmas season, the holidays are often filled with troubles, adversities, and sorrows. It’s my prayer for you to find peace in the midst of any troubling times you go through during this Christmas season. To find surprising comfort,  joy, purpose, and peace in your adversities, no matter how traumatic they may be, by thanking and praising God during them.

Stay tuned for my next blog post that will focus on some more personal stories that helped me learn the importance of paying attention to Praise and Purpose. You can also see my latest YouTube video on my channel: A Taste of Honey with Iris Carignan to watch and see the video entitle “Handling Hidden Surprises” and to see evidence of what I talk about in this blog. While you’re there I hope you’ll become a follower so you will receive notices of new video postings.

Here’s the link for watching my Youtube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lxOiDD2gMEU

In the meantime, have a joyous Christmas filled with good surprises and hidden treasures that will last beyond the day.