Managing Incidents

I was perturbed, and felt inconvenienced, until I discovered what was going on! This snow and extremely cold spell have had my nerves more than a little on edge. So, when I looked up to see 18-wheeler trucks and other vehicular traffic lined up farther than my eye could see, I complained aloud to myself, “Here they go again! These guys looking for a shortcut are further tearing up our badly maintained Sherman boulevard! What’s going on?!”

Image credit: gettyimages.com

Eventually, I would be able to make my right turn and join the flow traveling through a couple of traffic lights and across the Sangamon River up to Peoria Road. On the way, I saw a small but insightful sign above the I-55 directional sign. It simply read, “Incident Bypass.” I knew immediately, this was not about shortcuts, but rather IDOT was managing something up on the interstate highway that required a diverting of traffic through our quiet little village.

Recently, I have had one thing after another of personal and ministry-related incidents that have required some management. Although some of these matters were calendared and anticipated, the others that stacked up rather unexpectantly, were true incidents that surprised and caught me off guard. Eight to ten inches of snow, dangerous subzero temperatures, and ministry opportunities requiring intervention. And then, there was that unexpected plumbing issue in both bathrooms that required two days of professional attention to repair!

How do you deal with the expected and the unexpected? I have learned and re-learned over the years that the answers are not: to give into worry or fear or get good and mad! These are not viable strategies for managing incidents although many of us choose these options first before thinking.

The better approach is to quiet the inner turmoil with prayer. Praying enables us to think clearer and trust that God is in control, when it seems that chaos and fear are winning out! On one notable occasion, Jesus directed the disciples to get into a boat and cross the Sea of Galilee. “A furious squall came up, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, ‘Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?’”

This fearful incident was quickly resolved when Jesus showed the disciples His authority over nature and their fears with this command, “Quiet! Be still!” At that moment, “the wind died down and it was completely calm.” Then Jesus chided His close friends, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” (Mark 4:35-41, NIV).

How often have you needed Jesus to speak that same command to your fears and worries? As I read the account of how Jesus woke up to their terror about the squall, I think His commands to nature were also directed to the hearts of those disciples fearfully trying to manage that stormy incident. They needed to hear His commanding authority deep down in their fearful hearts, “Quiet! Be still!” As Jesus got their attention, He seemed to be saying, “Friends, trust Me. I’m in control of storms and faithless, fearing hearts as well!”

When we give into our fears and worries, we are not focused on what God can do, but rather what we plan to do about life’s expected and unexpected incidents. Next time we are tempted to work things out on our own, let’s start with God. He promises, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take.” (Proverbs 3:5-6, NLT).

As I look back on these last weeks of incidents in my life, it has me singing my praises for how God has worked things out in each circumstance! This has been the praise hymn on my heart, “When upon life’s billows, you are tempest tossed. When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost. Count your many blessings, name them one by one, and it will surprise you what the Lord has done!” (Johnson Oatman, Jr., 1897). 

Mike Keppler, retired pastor,
active churchman and
doting grandparent.
Contact: drmjkeppler@gmail.com
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