March 18, 2026

Interruptions

Come now, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and carry on business and make a profit.’ Yet you do not know [the least thing] about what may happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are merely a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, ‘If the Lord wills, we will live and we will do this or that.

James 4:13–15

You have great plans, and yet life is always getting in the way. You intensely wish to move forward, but all sorts of things seem to constantly interrupt and impede that movement. But do those unexpected and unwelcome interruptions really have to hold you back? The fact is, you don’t have to let them. Sure, you must regularly deal with the urgent, pressing matters that come your way. But that doesn’t mean those unwelcome interruptions have to take over your life. Instead of seeing those interruptions as negative, distracting influences, you can just as realistically choose to see them as positive, empowering opportunities. Just because they weren’t in your plans doesn’t mean they have to upset your plans. Decide that there’s something positive to be found, and you’ll find something positive in anything. Decide that the interruptions won’t really interrupt you, but will in fact provide you with additional ways to move forward, and that’s exactly what will happen. Learn to welcome, embrace and empower yourself with the unexpected interruptions. They’re always going to come, so make the choice to make them work in your favor.

Prayer

Father in Heaven, help us loosen our grip on the plans we cling to so tightly and trust You with the moments we did not expect. When interruptions come, slow our reactions and sharpen our awareness so we do not miss what You are doing in them. Teach us to respond with faith instead of frustration, with openness instead of resistance, and with peace instead of control. Use every detour to shape our hearts, strengthen our character, and move us forward in ways only You can. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Detours don’t cancel purpose, they refine it.