Trusting God Through Life’s Unexpected Turns

This past summer, my husband, our son, and I travelled to Italy for a short vacation. We soaked in the beauty of the Vatican in Rome, enjoyed cozy dinners under the Tuscan skies in Florence, and looked forward to wrapping up our trip in Venice. Just as we were about to begin that final leg, news broke that Air Canada had gone on strike. Since our tickets were with them, we kept following the updates closely. I prayed and told my husband, “I’m trusting God for a last-minute miracle—that somehow the strike will be called off before we fly back.”

So, we chose to enjoy our remaining days in Venice. We even checked in online and paid for our luggage, hopeful that all would work out. But on the morning of our departure, I woke up early to find an email saying our flight had been cancelled and that we needed to make other plans. My heart sank. I woke my husband, and together we scrambled to find new tickets. By God’s grace, we did—but at twice the original cost.

Through all the stress and searching, our teenage son was peacefully asleep, completely unbothered. When we finally woke him and told him it was time to get ready for the airport, his only question was, “What’s the plan?” My husband and I looked at each other, and it hit us—this is the kind of peace God invites us into. Our son wasn’t worried; he simply trusted that his parents would take care of everything and get him back home safely. That’s the childlike trust and faith we are called to have in our Heavenly Father.

Meanwhile, I couldn’t help worrying—not only about getting home, but also about whether Air Canada would ever refund us. With the new tickets came unexpected expenses—an extra hotel night, ground transportation, meals—all piling up. But just a few days after we returned to Canada, Air Canada announced an expanded goodwill policy. To my amazement, they agreed to refund not only the new tickets but also those extra costs.

That moment was such a gentle reminder: I need to lean on God more deeply. I prayed, and He answered—but in His own way, not mine.

I don’t know what unexpected turn you might be facing right now, but I want to encourage you: when you pray and place the outcome in God’s hands, you can rest like a child who knows their Father has everything under control. He never fails. Truly, it will be well.

Faith isn’t about controlling the outcome, but about trusting the One who does.

Written by Ibukun Ogunsina,
New Beginnings Barrie,
Psychotherapy and Counselling Services.
Website: www.newbeginningsbarrie.com
E-mail: inquiry@newbeginningsbarrie.com
Tel: +1 705 241 8456