Recently, I haven’t been able to shake the thought of surprises from my mind. Some people love surprises, while others hate them, and I tend to find myself indifferent. For me, it really just depends on the kind of surprise. No matter your preference, surprises have the ability to bring overwhelming joy or shock, sadness, and disappointment.

Finding out we were pregnant was a huge surprise that first came accompanied by fear, then an almost unexplainable joy. Fear, although undoubtedly from the enemy, is fairly normal (especially for first time moms) but in my opinion it is a passage to go through, not a place to stay. As we anxiously await the arrival of our little boy, I can either choose to live in fear of the unknowns, the responsibility, and the what-ifs, or I can choose to claim the victory that Jesus has already won on my behalf and trust that I can not only do this, but do this well with His help. He tells us in Jeremiah 1:5 the same truth that remains for our own little ones, He knew us before we were formed in our mother’s wombs and He set us apart for a purpose.

In the midst of so much change, expectation, and surprises, the thought that’s been really resonating with me is that my Savior hasn’t been surprised by any of it. Not one single thing. When we’re amazed or found paralyzed in disbelief, He is steady and unsurprised. After all, He knows the number of hairs on our head. In the good surprises, He’s rejoicing over us with singing (Zephaniah 3:17) and in the heartbreaking ones, He is our refuge and our fortress (Psalm 91:2) and will never leave us or forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:6). What a comfort!

Because I am a planner who likes to prepare and know what to expect, clinging to this truth helps me rely on my Father who loves me and has already written my story. He promises us in Jeremiah 29:11 that He has a plan for our lives, a plan not to harm us, but to prosper us! That’s such a gift, and we have to hold fast to His promises, instead of letting fear of the unknown creep in and steal our joy.

Be encouraged today, my friends! No matter what surprises you face, our Savior is holding you in His hands and will work everything together for His good for those that love Him (Romans 8:28).