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.
-
Structure and spontaneity are both very good for us
Are you a fly-by-your-seat kind of a person or do you plan your days? Actually, we all do better with structure which is not to say we can’t be spontaneous. Read on….. Read more
-
How to know when your prayers are answered
Prayer is an incredibly personal and spiritual practice that has the power to bring us comfort, guidance. It gives us a profound sense of connection to God. When we engage in prayer, we often long for answers, direction, and blessings from a higher power. While it may at times be challenging to discern how and… Read more
-
Soar by rising up on wings of a powerful eagle
Soar. Who doesn’t like to soar? I love Isaiah 40:31 because there are times I need to feel like I’m soaring above it all. It gives me hope to think I can fly above my struggles. I love the imagery of it. So, I decided to write this. Guess I’m into poetry these days. Hope… Read more
-
Isaiah 40. How to find strength and renewal.
Isaiah 40 offers comfort The 40th chapter of Isaiah opens with the comforting proclamation, “Comfort, comfort my people, says your God” (Isaiah 40:1). These words offer reassurance for weary hearts, reminding us of God’s closeness and care during our trials. The chapter goes on to depict the grandeur and authority of God, who holds the… Read more
-
How freedom showed up in my life. Lessons learned.
A long time coming Freedom in Christ has been a long time coming for me. I think one of the reasons is that I grew up feeling responsible for everyone around me. If they weren’t happy, I wasn’t happy. It didn’t matter if they were family or not, although family was always dominant. When a person… Read more
-
When God frees us, are there restraints?
When God frees us, it’s in many ways. Freedom from sin When God frees us it’s because we have come to a place in our life where we realize that we are still in a prison of sorts. For me, that prison was one of people-pleasing and always worried I might hurt someone’s feelings. It… Read more
