Struggles as Christians: How To Overcome (Part three)
Uncertainty is one of our struggles.
It’s hard to trust when things are uncertain. And yet, when you think about it, there is always some degree of uncertainty in life. Life is ever-evolving. And some years it seems like change is the norm.
And even when life seems certain, wait a second. It will change. Count on it.
In fact, there is more uncertainty in life than there is certainty. But it can be especially challenging for Christians who are called to walk by faith, and not by sight. This journey requires a deep reliance on God’s promises, even when the outcomes are unclear. When the path ahead is unclear, trusting God can feel like stepping into the unknown without a safety net.
Fear doesn’t help
I’m a natural scaredy-cat. It’s hard for me to trust God. I have to step out in faith all the time, or I would never walk at all. I’ve done a few author promotions, and I’ve trembled in fear the whole time. I’m afraid to even talk about my books. How ridiculous is that? Hundreds and hundreds of hours of work, and yet I get scared every time someone asks me about my books. (God has really been convicting me about this.)
Embrace the uncertainty.
However, embracing this uncertainty can lead to profound growth and spiritual maturity, enabling us to navigate life’s complexities with greater grace and strength. It allows us to develop resilience, a crucial skill that helps us bounce back from adversity, and fosters a greater understanding of God’s sovereignty over our circumstances.
In recognizing that our experiences are part of a divine plan, we find comfort and peace. This perspective encourages us to trust in the unfolding journey, providing the opportunity to surrender our fears and anxieties to Him. We can know that we are guided and supported every step of the way. Ultimately, this process cultivates a deeper relationship with God, helping us to grow in faith and compassion towards ourselves and others.
However, this is also probably one of the hardest things to do as Christians. Sometimes, visualization can help. Think of a windy path through the woods. You can’t see around the corner. But God walks before you with a flashlight illuminating your path. He looks back at you now and then and says, “It’s OK. Just keep following me.”
In these moments, verses like this become a vital lifeline.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways submit to him and and he will you make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6
Real-Life Reflection: David faced a season of career uncertainty that left him questioning his purpose. He had always been a planner, but when his carefully laid plans fell apart, he felt lost. David was on the fast track to a big promotion when a car accident derailed him and left him permanently injured. He knew his career was over.
But through prayer and seeking counsel from trusted mentors, David began to see God’s plan unfolding in ways he had not expected. He learned to take one step at a time. He trusted that God was guiding him, even when the destination wasn’t clear.
The career path he had planned took another, but better turn. He learned he could do even greater things because of the uncertainty of his health. Eventually, he learned to appreciate his limitations. Like the apostle Paul, he learned grace through the “thorn in his side.”(2 Corinthians 12:7-10.)
Devotional Questions:
- When have you faced uncertainty in your life?
- How did you learn to trust God during that time?
- What steps can you take to strengthen your faith in uncertain seasons?
God bless, and have a great day.
-
Three great reasons to step away and refresh. # 1
There are three great reasons to step away and refresh oneself when working on a project. Today we will look at the first reason. The second reason is to rest our mind and the third is to restore our emotional energy. #1 Stepping away almost always gives us fresh insights. Sometimes we can be so Read more
-
How God over-delivers but doesn’t over-promise
How God over-delivers but doesn’t over-promise https://goodthoughtsgoodlives.com/how-god-over-delivers-but-doesnt-over-promise/ — Read on faithsighanddiy.com/how-god-over-delivers-but-doesnt-over-promise/ Discover more from goodthoughtsgoodlives Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email. Type your email… Subscribe Rebecca Hi. I’m so glad you’re here. My blog focuses on faith and mental health issues such as mood disorders like depression, anxiety, and dysthymia (chronic Read more
-
What does fervency in prayer really look like?
Fervency in prayer is written about in E. M. Bound’s book on prayer, aptly called, On Prayer. “Prayer, without fervor, stakes nothing on the issue, because it has nothing to stake. It comes with empty hands. Heart, soul, and life, must find place in all real praying. Heaven must be made to feel the force Read more
-
Dreams on hold: the parable of the three trees
When our dreams are put on hold, it frustrates us. I happened to find this video the other day and wanted to share it with you. As the Easter season approaches, our dreams become relevant. The disciples experienced broken dreams for sure. They, like us, were expecting a different outcome than Jesus hanging on a Read more
-
Why anxiety strikes and what we can really do about it
Why does anxiety strike and what can we do about it? What are the triggers for anxiety? (And there are always triggers.) The other day I was thinking about the cause and effect of something. I can’t even remember what it was now. But as I continued to think about it, I applied my thoughts Read more
-
Oops. I need to apologize
Well, I see I need to apologize. Apparently, many of got 3 or 4 newsletters. How I don’t know. I got a message saying it wasn’t sent and then I get three messages saying it was. I will look it over when I get a chance and make sure it doesn’t happen again. Again, I Read more
Discover more from goodthoughtsgoodlives
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
