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.
-
Wise people add to their wisdom.
Wise people are wise because they continue to learn. I read a chapter from Proverbs every day in addition to my scheduled books. As you probably know, Proverbs is all about instruction. The Proverbs teach us how to live in very practical ways. They are as applicable today as the day they were written. The Read more
-
Yea, It’s September. Coziness and pumpkin-flavored everything. Or not?
September weather presents some challenges for those who struggle with depression. It means shorter days and darker days. Fall presents a problem for those who struggle with SAD(season affective disorder). Coziness and pumpkin-flavored everything just doesn’t cut it for those people. Next week I’ll begin a series devoted specifically to SAD. It is a genuine Read more
-
How to stop the spiral of depression when your feelings are hurt
Hurt feelings are hard enough to bear but coupled with a tendency to depression or anxiety, it’s even harder. We just keep going over it again and again in our heads. Hurt feelings keeps us a victim It’s these kinds of circumstances that can really jump-start a downward spiral if we don’t stop it immediately. We Read more
-
Family losses and lessons to be learned.
Family losses are hard. Any loss is hard, especially when they’re unexpected. But as with all of life, there are lessons to be learned. The losses One was our son-in-law’s mother. Her health was failing but we all thought she had quite a bit longer. The second was my husband’s brother. Again, not in great Read more
-
Seven good tips to writing your first book
Writing a book doesn’t just happen. This is just my thoughts but having worked on my book for a year and a half, I learned a lot. I learned things to do and certainly, things not to do. Don’t think all you have to do is write. The writing is only the beginning. Not even Read more
Discover more from goodthoughtsgoodlives
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
