Blindsided but Prepared

by Dr. Rusty Rogers*

Occasionally, we will feature devotionals written by believers living the Epic Life!

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.” – Philippians 4:6 NLT

I vividly recall the worst day of my life as if it were yesterday. It was a normal day at work when I got the call. In stunned silence, fear and panic gripped my heart as I absorbed the news. Mom and Dad were heading home to Florida after a lovely vacation visiting relatives. Traveling on a four-lane interstate highway, outside a small mountain town in West Virginia, their car unexpectedly careened across the median and met oncoming cars head-on.

Mom suffered multiple serious injuries and required hospitalization while Dad appeared stable. Little did we know that Dad actually had a more severe underlying problem--an aggressive brain tumor. Four months later, he went home to be with the Lord.  We're thankful that mom recovered from that traumatic crash 20 years ago and we look forward to a big family reunion with “Dad” in Heaven!

I'm reminded of Horatio Spafford who penned the words that became one of America’s greatest hymns known around world, “It is Well with My Soul.” These words were written amid unbearable grief. Horatio was a prominent attorney and a devout Christian in Chicago. He and his wife had an idyllic family life shared with his four young daughters. The family had survived the horrific Chicago fire of 1871 that left 100,000 homeless and ruined him financially. Scarlet fever had taken his only son, four years old. Later, the family planned their first trip to England for a much-needed vacation on the S.S. Ville du Havre. Last minute plans changed as Horatio was delayed with business demands. Horatio encouraged them to go ahead, and he would meet them later in Europe.

Over nine days later, Horatio got the telegram from Anna: “Saved alone, what shall I do?” This telegram would change his life forever. He at once boarded a ship out of New York. The captain of the ship pointed out the area where his four daughters were entombed on the sunken ship. That evening, he had an unexplained peace that passed all understanding. Even though his heart was broken, Horatio was able to write that all was well in his soul. He was able to share the comfort he received from God that night with the world.

Horatio and Anna Spafford went into full time ministry serving the poor in Jerusalem, and opening the American Colony. They had three more children, two girls and a boy. Horatio went to be with the Lord at age sixty, while Anna continued the work of the ministry until eighty-one years old. Horatio and Anna were laid to rest in Jerusalem. Their legacy lives on through the hymn “It is Well with My Soul.”

About two thousand years ago, Paul penned the famous exhortation above in his letter to the Philippians while in a Roman prison. Paul was well acquainted with grief, fears, trials, anxieties, and heartbreak. If anyone had reason to worry, Paul did. He had been shipwrecked, beaten with rods, stoned and left for dead. Yet, Paul had learned the secret to being content and joyful amid any circumstance.

Have you ever been blindsided by tragic news? A relationship gone sour? Broken dreams and unfilled expectations? Jesus does not want us to worry or be filled with anxiety. He wants His children to draw close to Him so that He can wrap His arms around us and love us. Jesus desires to walk with us through life. The key is spending alone time with Him and getting to know Him. Jesus cares and is always available to listen and talk with His children! Do not wait to get blindsided. Prepare today for the epic life adventure! Jesus is knocking at the door.

 Visit the following websites for in depth details of the fateful shipwreck:

Institute in Basic Life Principles

Anna Spafford and The Story Behind the Telegram

* Dr. Rusty Rogers owns and operates Rogers Animal Hospital in Florida. Rusty uses his veterinary practice also as a platform to encourage people in the Lord.

Pictured below: Left—Dr Rusty’s dad & sister; Right—Dr Rusty’s mom reads her Bible every morning