UNPREDICTABLE

I heard about a plane crash in the news—240 people lost their lives. Among them was a family of six from India, full of hope for a fresh start in the UK. That flight was supposed to be their new beginning. Before takeoff, they took a selfie and sent it to their loved ones. Everyone in the photo was smiling, shining with hope and excitement for a new chapter they had dreamed about for so long.

What a heartbreaking tragedy. It touched me deeply. And yet, the hard truth is that tragedies like this happen every day, all around the world.

These moments remind me of something important: life never unfolds exactly how we imagine, and no new chapter starts exactly as planned. We often think of life as a neat, well-organized book—but God’s story rarely fits into our neat designs. In an instant, everything can change—without warning, without reason. It shows just how fragile and unpredictable our journey really is.

But even in the uncertainty, there’s a quiet place of hope. A trust that goes beyond what we can see, and holds us when everything else feels dark and fragile. This trust isn’t a naive belief that everything will turn out perfect. It’s a deep confidence that we rest in the hands of a loving God, whose plans go far beyond the pain we’re facing now.

Isaiah 41:10 gives us this promise:
“Don’t be afraid, for I am with you; don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.”

It’s not easy to hold on to these words when tragedy surrounds us. Promises of strength and help can feel empty when we’re drowning in loss. But the real message here is hope—a hope rooted in God’s eternal care. These words don’t promise instant relief or the kind of success we expect. Instead, they point to something bigger than our understanding—an unbreakable future built on God’s love and faithfulness.

When the world feels shaky and uncertain, this promise is more than just words. It’s an anchor that keeps us steady, even when the ground feels like it’s slipping beneath our feet.

It’s the surety of a love that never fails—a love that carries us, and gives us courage to face the darkest times, knowing we are not alone.

And there’s more. Scripture reminds us that we aren’t meant to stay stuck in the shadows. Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life” (John 8:12). God doesn’t just carry us through pain—He leads us into a future no tragedy can ever destroy.

That’s the hope we have: that beyond all the unpredictability of life, there’s a faithful God watching over every step we take. His love will carry us, His presence will guide us, and His promise tells us the darkness will never have the last word.

With Him, we can keep moving forward—not with fear, but with confident hope that He will make all things new.