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.
-
I’m so blond
I hate to admit it but I’m really blond sometimes. I’ve been diligently reading about the technical side of blogging only to discover that I’ve completely confused permalinks with hyperlinks and because of messing around with them both, many of my recent posts never saw the light of day. My followers got them but no Read more
-
accepting the present, hoping for change
(This is a reblog. Let’s just say I screwed up something technical so while those following this blog received this, no one else did. Will I never get all the technical stuff figured out?) Did you ever have an epiphany at a most ordinary time on a most ordinary day doing the most ordinary thing? Read more
-
it gets complicated
I was feeling all warm and cozy at what had been an unexpected epiphany a couple of days ago when with one phone call I found myself fighting for that freedom. Then I realized something. Wow, another epiphany! I’m on a roll. Freedom to live our lives isn’t easily come by. Especially when you’ve been Read more
-
Melt-down Monday
Well, I’m behind in this post. Should’ve gone out a couple of hours ago. I think you’ll understand why in a moment. We are at “Teeny Tiny Red Cabin”. We were having a wonderful time till Sat. night. My husband started feeling really sick. Because he has a history of heart problems, we didn’t want ignore Read more
-
Sunlight on Rhododendron
Just wanted to share a picture I took yesterday. My Rhododendrons have never looked better. Maybe cold springs are the answer. 🙂 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 Read more
-
it gets complicated
(this is a reblog fron the worminmyapple. Apparently blogging over the week-end is NOT a good idea which is when this was originally posted so I brought it over to this blog to post at a better time.)theworminmyapple.com I was feeling all warm and cozy at what had been an unexpected epiphany a couple of Read more
Discover more from goodthoughtsgoodlives
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
