Uncertainty is Certain
We all respond differently to uncertainty. Some of us shut down and feel hopeless. If we don’t know what to expect, we don’t function well. We may withdraw from others. It becomes almost impossible for us to see the positive.
Some of us attempt to over-control as many aspects of daily life as possible to give ourselves the allusion of certainty and control. We demand certainty by becoming as informed as we possibly can. This information helps us feel a sense of security.
Some of us pretend we don’t care. We act like we’re completely cool with being in the dark because we’re really the sort of people who are extremely flexible and really c'est la vie. And then we fall apart alone.
In Jeremiah 17, God reminds us how much He loves his people and how His justice is perfect:
“Cursed is the strong one
who depends on mere humans,
Who thinks he can make it on muscle alone
and sets God aside as dead weight.
He’s like a tumbleweed on the prairie,
out of touch with the good earth.
He lives rootless and aimless
in a land where nothing grows.
“But blessed is the man who trusts me, God,
the woman who sticks with God.
They’re like trees replanted in Eden,
putting down roots near the rivers—
Never a worry through the hottest of summers,
never dropping a leaf,
Serene and calm through droughts,
bearing fresh fruit every season.
We’re reminded in these verses that when we depend on God rather than people, we have deep roots that bring us all we need - that keep us from worrying and give us confidence. That bring us peace and calm and assurance.
What do I know to be true?
If you’re feeling uncertain about something today, maybe finances, employment, a relationship, and it has become paralyzing and negatively affecting you, try this. Simply write down everything related to your situation that you know to be true. Your list should include practical and spiritual truths. For example, if you’re feeling uncertain about finances, your list of what you know to be true could look like this: I know that I have friends and family that will be a safety net for me. I know I am intelligent and resourceful, and can problem solve. I believe and trust God will provide for me. My worth is not defined by how much money I have. Post this list somewhere you will see it and reference it when you are feeling uncertain. Your prayer to God can be something like, “Lord, I may not know much right now, but I know these things are true. Help me keep my eyes on you, Lord.”
What can I choose?
If your uncertainty is causing you to feel a complete lack of control over circumstances in your life, try this. Practice turning your attention to what you can choose instead of what you can control. We tend to focus on the people and situations that feel out of our control and we struggle to figure out how to wrangle them into submission! When we ask "What can I choose?" vs “What can I control?”, we invite in a different response. This question encourages us to think about our deepest values—who we want to be and what’s most important to us. For example, I may be unable to control the amount of money I’m making right now, but I can choose to wisely spend what I have. I may be unable control the negative work environment I have to be in, but I can choose to be kind to my coworkers. I may be unable to control my partner’s unhealthy behaviors, but I can choose to set boundaries that allow me to feel safe.
In the New Testament book of Hebrews we find this encouragement: (10:23) “Let us hold firmly to the hope we have confessed, because we can trust God to do what he promised.” Do your own search to find some of the many promises in scripture. Those promises are certain. They will be kept.