As I considered this article, I decided to look up the word “upended.” The definitions made me think of a boat or canoe. Maybe a personal craft on the sea of life. Here are synonyms I found to help define upended.
- flipped
- inverted
- overturned
- upset
- bottom-side-up
- tipped over
- capsized
I don’t know about you, but these synonyms gave me a mental picture of upended.
Your Personal Life Boat
Your turn. What mental picture comes to your mind? Especially as you picture your personal craft on the sea of life.
Some prefer to be on one of those huge, safe, military ships. More like a floating naval city. Remarkably, they’re able to defend any attack while powerfully slicing through the seas. Particularly, when those waters get choppy and the wind picks up with force.
Alternately, perhaps you pictured a luxury cruise ship. Complete with dining room, snack bars open all day, tennis courts, swimming pool, a running track, deck chairs to enjoy the sun and sea-salt air, a cool lemonade in your hands. Surely, at some point you’ve thought this might be fun. Perhaps you’ve experienced a cruise ship.
Maybe you own a boat and have freedom to sail – or to motor a “get-away” on a regular basis. This, too, is a special pass time. Relaxing. Renewing. Respite. Until you run out of gas for your motor far from shore. Or there’s absolutely no wind in your sails. Conversely, the wind may have escalated threateningly while you’re out at sea. Regardless, in any unexpected scenario, you’d better have an oar tucked away.
Realistically, much of the time, you’re in a smaller, individual boat or canoe – a personal craft – on the sea of life. Even when surrounded by other people, you must manage your own sea-worthy craft. At times, this can be a great adventure. Other times, it can be lonely, scary, or even devastating.
Upended
With all these ideas in mind, what – really – should you do if your life craft gets upended? Everyone gets upended at least once. If it hasn’t happened to you, keep your life jacket on . . . and don’t hold your breath.
Tragedy, disappointments, and even betrayals pierce into every person’s life at some point. You may have already experienced your share of upheaval. Whether from your own choices, someone else’s choices, or just because we live in a fallen world – most people find their life turned upside-down sometime in their journey. Upended. Very few people escape this tragic experience. Perhaps you’re there now. So, what should you do when life completely upends you?
Tragedy doesn’t wait for an invitation. Rather, it invades! Devastation sears into your heart. Storms threaten to steal your hope and joy. Life robs you of energy. Plus, you can feel confused. “What should I do next? How do I go forward now that I’m almost drowned? How do I get to shore without a boat?”
The effect of being upended is profound. You need dependable resources to manage a good response.
You Have Resources When Upended
I’ll be transparent. I’ve found myself upended several times over decades on the seas of my life. As I tried to regain normalcy and re-enter calm waters, I remembered three resources that faithfully guide, strengthen, and restore equilibrium. Equally, they are comforting and assuring. So, I share them with you.
First, let me encourage you to never give up when you are upended. Interestingly, these three resources are what Jesus used when He was upended.
Second, I pray you will take these resources to heart. Afterall, they are a life buoy. Plus, they are exactly what you need to navigate future seas – and storms – in your personal craft.
FIRST OPTION
This option may not seem revolutionary at first blush. However, it’s your greatest resource when you’re upended.
1. You have God.
He made a personal promise to never leave or forsake you. (Deut. 31:6) Remarkably, His presence is your greatest asset on life’s stormy seas. Just as Jesus saved the disciples during storms in their fishing boat, He intends to save you in your storms.
God has unlimited power. He has knowledge. Plus, God promises to stay with you even through your worst storms.
- Power
- Knowledge
- Companionship
You need God’s incomparably great power – the same that raised Jesus from the dead! And, you need His knowledge – the same He used to create all things. Plus, He promises to always stay with you.
Eph. 1:19-20 mentions, “. . . His incomparably great power . . . the same as the mighty strength He exerted when He raised Christ from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms . . .”
In essence, God knows how to turn your craft back right-side-up. Yes, you have God!
God Helps When You’re Upended
God makes it His business to help you in several ways.
God promises to love you always. Jer. 31:3 says, “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.” In essence, you are precious to Him! Open your heart to receive His love when you are upended. Trust Him to get you upright in your boat again.- God exercises immense strength (power) for you. As He activates it, He makes a strong statement to your enemy. In fact, God rolls up His sleeves to provide protection and power in stormy waters. He is your –
-
- Fortress.
- Safe place.
- Powerful right arm.
- Mighty warrior.
-
- God intervenes for you. As you trust God, He quite literally comes alongside and helps you upright your life craft. Then, He helps you climb back in. Remarkably, His interventions are merciful, creative, and powerful. He’s called the “Extraordinary Strategist.” (Is. 9:6 – footnote, NET)
This is a picture of a Father who stands between His child and a threat. Why not let God take care of the enemy for you?
Accept His love. Receive His strength. Allow His interventions – even though they may look differently than you picture.
SECOND OPTION
This resource also may not seem stunning, until you really look at it.
2. You have Scripture.
- All promises are yours to claim.
- Every command is yours to obey.
- All God’s claims are yours to tap into.
So, anchor yourself to God’s Word. Also, maybe don’t argue with God? Get into Scripture and absorb living words into your heart. Inevitably, God’s Word will transform your life – if you let it.
THIRD OPTION
Of the three resources, this one is likely most familiar to you.
3. You have your will. Don’t we all tend to reach inward to make it through difficulties? However, this option comes third – after God and after Scripture. Why? Because your will must be anchored in realities that won’t change: God’s love, strength, interventions. (above point)
Still, you decide what happens next in up-ended times. If you’ve been wrong, use your will to repent and make things right. However, if you’ve been wronged, choose to forgive. Perhaps, you’ll need courage to confront. Equally, if you’ve been hurt or experienced loss, accept God’s love and comfort.
God says, “Behold, I am making all things new.” (Rev. 21:5) In other words, He has a new start for you.
Jesus helps you walk through hard times and trains you how to manage your life:
- Grieving.
- Forgiving.
- Living with continual pain.
- Rejoicing (Practicing “yay days,” as my grand-daughter calls them).
- Setting boundaries.
- Maintaining a balanced life.
- Speaking the truth in love.
- Receiving encouragement, direction, prayer from others.
- Reading Scripture and good authors.
- Believing God against all odds.
Jesus Used These Three Resources When Upended
Interestingly, Jesus, Himself, engaged these resources when He was upended. Frankly, that happened more than you might think. His days on earth were sailing on choppy waters. Typically, He was challenged, threatened, persecuted, and misjudged. Do you ever have things like that happen to you?
Additionally, Jesus makes these resources available to you. As fully God – fully human, Jesus completely identifies with you. Equally, He wants you to succeed. His strong, gentle heart is filled with sincere concern for you. Remarkably, He intends to use His love, strength, interventions on your behalf to display His immense strength.
Why not take Him up on it? Let Him define how it looks. Why not let Jesus put your life back together and get you sailing the sea of life again?
Eph. 1:18 says, “I pray the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you . . . “
Jesus’ resources are your resources, and they renew hope.
Application Thoughts And Questions
Do you ever feel upended?- Are you lonely in your craft on the sea of life?
- You need to know – “I am special to God!”
- How regularly do you apply your three resources? They may not seem stunning or revolutionary. Nevertheless, they stabilize you.
- Do you believe God is your first and best resource?
- Are you applying Scripture each day?
- How effectively are you using your will?
For more, check out Will Power-A Skill You Need. Excellent content with practical action steps.
I invite you to follow us on your favorite social media. Do sign up on our email list to receive weekly articles. PLUS tune-in to our weekly podcast using your preferred podcast app or use our online player at the top of each article.
Visit our website for resources to get into God’s Word and live an Alive and Active Life.
