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.
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My first printable for you. Enjoy!
(I know this is my second post today but I so wanted to share this with you. Plus it’s time sensitive. I shared a recipe a couple of weeks ago but I’m not sure it worked.) So I know this is no big deal for most of you. For me, it’s huge. You have no Read more
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What kind or organizer are you? I’m unique.
(I’m worried this post accidentally posted last week. I was writing it while my hubby and I were headed out-of-town and was using my phone. You know how that goes. One’s fingers can easily hit the wrong button . Anyway, if it did, I apologize. Here is the corrected version.) What kind of organizer are Read more
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Why I have something important to say. As do you.
(This was my very first post. It’s important in the discussion that follows.) Dear reader, This is a “trial” post. I have no clue what I’m doing but I need to see something on my page so I know what it looks like. Hence, this post. I can tell you this is going to be Read more
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My apologies to so many of you.
Here’s the thing. I had two blogs last year. In January I quit posting to one of them. To make a complicated story short, I ended up changing the e-mail address on this one. I didn’t think anything more about it. No big deal, right? Wrong! I’ve been reading my mail on my aol account. Read more
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Isn’t it great when everything synchronizes?
I love it when God shows up in such unexpected and encouraging ways. If you read Wednesday’s post, you know how I’m excited I am to be able to add some e-books to my blog. It’s been in the process for a while now and I even have the use of a professional editor (My Read more
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These dark days are not all bad.
Well, my SIBO is just not getting better. I feel like a lump. I haven’t accomplished a thing all day except for this: I was determined to figure out how to design a meme using a computer graphics program. Yea, I figured it out and for me that feels like an “atta girl” from God. Read more
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