I imagine each one of us is living with some kind of uncertainty. Uncertainty over a big decision, a job change or uncertainty about what medical tests will reveal. It may be how to handle a hormonal teen, a misunderstanding with a friend, or a child’s depression and anger. There’s financial uncertainty, political uncertainty and professional uncertainty. Uncertainty is not fun. In some ways adversity is easier than uncertainty because in adversity it’s clear who or what the opposition is. Uncertainty can be ambiguous and messy. We don’t know when it will end.
When we’re in the midst of it we often think when this is settled, then life will be easier. But I have found that if we live with a when/then mentality as soon as we get through this issue there will simply be another one and the cycle will begin all over again. We can’t live in this state. We have to live in the now. This can be hard for us “A” type personalities. We like a strategic plan, with clear goals and measurable successes. We like clarity and closure. We especially like being in control and calling the shots. Ha! In times of uncertainty we realize again that we never have been in control anyway. We just like to try.
In the midst of my own uncertainty I’m learning some lessons, many of which I feel I should have learned by now. But I have noticed that most of life is re-learning many of the same lessons over and over again. Here are a few:
- The first and most important thing I can do each day is to spend time in God’s word and in prayer. I find it’s a lot easier to start my “to do” list. But what I need most is “to be still and know that He is God.” (Psalm 46:10) There is tremendous comfort in the Psalms and refreshment and peace in pouring out my heart to God in prayer.
- I write down 10 things I’m thankful for today – flowers blooming outside my window, antibiotics, my new puppy, a specific answer to a prayer, an encouraging call from a friend.
- I ask God to give me a sense of adventure as I look to the future, which only He controls. I want to be a whatever person in the sense of whatever you desire God.
- I try to focus on who God is rather than on who I am or am not.
He is still in control. He is not caught off guard by what happens. He has a plan. He is working while we are waiting. He is light and in Him there is no darkness at all. (1 John 1:5) He will be sufficient. (Ephesians 3:20-21) And He will never leave us. (Hebrews 13:5b) It’s encouraging to make a list of His character traits and focus on them throughout the day, instead of mulling over the uncertainty in my life.
Over the past several years I have been considering how easy it is to let my issues become bigger in my head than my God. I have come to see that acquiring a bigger picture of our almighty God is central to being able to trust Him in times of uncertainty. It’s hard to trust someone you don’t really know. So I’m on a journey to get to know Him better in order that I might trust Him more fully. As a result, I will be able to live more joyfully in each day because of the certainty of WHO HE IS.
I’d love to share some of my journey with you in my new book,
Risky Faith: Becoming Brave Enough To Trust the God who is Bigger than your world.
Stay tuned, it’s coming soon!
Sara Jenkins says
Wow! I needed this today and the Holy Spirit led me right here. I definitely try to live my life in the moment. It’s true that if we get in the habit of thinking “when xyz is figured out, I’ll be at peace/joy/certainty,” we will never find peace/joy/certainty. However, with a potentially huge and uncertain move in the near future, I’ve excused myself to live in the when/then mentality. Thank you for your wise words and practical steps to breaking this mental habit.
Jinny Lay says
Thank you Susan for sharing your wisdom. I cannot wait to read your new book.