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.
-
Monday morning “finds”
Today’s treasures are really great. I collect old books and when I saw this one dated 1898, I had to have it. Look at the date. That’s one of the reasons I like collecting old books. There is often a letter or a note stuck inside that someone forgot was there. I do it all Read more
-
Why coffee is good for you
I’ve known that coffee is good for you for a long time but the news is getting even better. I’m at the cabin so can’t really download to this post so I took some photos to share and you can check out the sources. I hope you all have a wonderful 4th of July. Despite Read more
-
Some really great thrift finds and one “freebie”
Usually I post my great “finds” on Mondays. But this last Monday was to tell you all about what this week was going to be like. But I really hit it big last week. I visited a friend who lives near our cabin. We had decided hit some antique stores and she was going to Read more
-
Getting priorities straight after a loss
My poor husband. He’s not only had to take care of my mom’s estate, the sale of her house, getting all the paperwork together but he’s also been repairing things at the cabin. We had to buy a new air-conditioner, a new grill, and a new lawnmower. All for the cabin. We looked like “The Beverly Read more
-
May I introduce you to………….?
I’d like to introduce you to an author that you may not be familiar with. Her name is Alexandra Stoddard. I read her books many years ago and found a couple of her books recently at a thrift store. I’d forgotten how much I love her writing. She is primarily an interior decorator and while Read more
-
Today is the first day of an exhausting week.
Today begins a week with our seven-year-old grandson. This is is third summer visit. He is quite something. Kind of an old soul in a kid’s body. He says and does the funniest things. Last year he asked us if he could watch a certain movie, can’t even remember which one now. I asked him, Read more
Discover more from goodthoughtsgoodlives
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
