How do you respond when fear and anxiety knock on your door and hang around the edges of your conversations? How does it impact your mental health? What toll does scrolling social media and seeing troubling things happening everywhere take on your spiritual health?
I want to invite you to take a moment and step out of the chaos to take a breath.
Breathe in and out. Pause. Then do it again.
Breathe in and out.
Today we’re gonna talk about what it means to trust God in a time of uncertainty.
Life is always uncertain. But when times are calm, things appear to be certain because our lives proceed as expected. Things happen in the way we think they should, so we think that things are certain to happen this way again. There is reliability in our routines and daily lives which causes us to believe it will continue in this way. But then the unexpected happens in your life. You flunk a test, a friend betrays you, a loved one becomes ill, or the world is in constant turmoil from one thing and then another. Unexpected pain and heartache ensue.
It’s natural to respond with fear, pain, and grief when these things happen. And while you can’t help how you feel, you can choose what you do with those feelings. It’s important to acknowledge your feelings. Ignoring them doesn’t help. Sooner or later you’ll have to work through the feelings. Figuring out why you feel the way you do is important to the next steps you take. When your feelings are all over the place, it is good to focus your heart on the truth.
Regarding fear: 2 Timothy 1:7 says, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, sound judgment.” We are God’s children. God is a good father. (Matthew 7:11-12) He’s a good father who gives good gifts to his children. (James 1:17) One of the gifts He’s given to us is his love. In 1 John 4:18, we learn that “…perfect love casts out fear…” And this perfect love that casts out fear? It’s the same love that fills us because we are in Christ Jesus.
Regarding pain: It’s a normal response when we’re hurt. Whether this pain is physical or not, the feeling is still valid. At times, you may be tempted to compare your experience of pain with someone else’s… don’t. The pain you feel is real, no matter the cause. But also, don’t let the pain rule out the good. God says that he’s “near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Invite the Lord into your pain, he wants to meet you there.
Regarding grief: It’s good to recognize when you’ve lost something. It’s natural to grieve when someone has died. It’s also natural to grieve when you lose relationships, opportunities, and dreams. It’s no secret these past few years were unprecedented. And many lost so much. Your losses don’t need to be compared with the losses of others either. Pain and loss just aren’t things that need to be compared. Your grief is valid. And grief takes time to process.
So, as you feel the feelings of fear, pain, and grief – invite the Lord into each space. Ask for God to give you a fresh understanding of love. Pray Ephesians 3:17-20 over yourself. He will strengthen you to be able to understand and receive more of His great love for you. He knows and understands your weaknesses and wants to walk with you in your journey.
So on to trust. What is that all about?
Trust means to rely on someone to do something they say they will. It means to count on them to follow through on their word.
Proverbs 3:5-6 says: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”
Trusting God in a time of uncertainty looks like prioritizing intimacy with him. It looks like praying constantly, inviting him in to your every moment. It looks like being honest with him about what you need in the moment, and then activating your faith to expect those things from him. God identifies himself as Jehovah Jireh, our LORD provider. And to trust him means to take him at his word. We can’t allow what we see to make us forget what he said.
Trusting God looks like relying on him to do what he’s said he would do.
“I will never leave or forsake you.”
“Keep your life free from the love of money. Be satisfied with what you have, for he himself has said, I will never leave you or abandon you.” – Hebrews 13:5
“I will be with you.”
“I will strengthen you.”
“I will help you.”
“I will hold you.”
“Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will hold on to you with my righteous right hand.” – Isaiah 41:10
“I am your deliverer.”
“The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer, my God, my rock where I seek refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” – Psalm 18:2
“I am the Lord who heals you.”
“He said, ‘If you will carefully obey the LORD your God, do what is right in his sight, pay attention to his commands, and keep all his statutes, I will not inflict any illnesses on you that I inflicted on the Egyptians. For I am the LORD who heals you.’” – Exodus 15:26
“I am your provider”
“And Abraham named that place The LORD Will Provide, so today it is said, ‘It will be provided on the LORD’s mountain.’” – Genesis 22:14
These are just a few of the ways God has said he would show up for his people. If you are in Christ Jesus, you are his people – and God is faithful to his word. Always.
Trusting God in uncertain items feels hard because it is. At times we may wonder where God is in the midst of the turmoil. He’s closer than you think – and ready to meet with you. He’s ready to reassure you with his love.
Circumstances will change, and hard times will happen. Times will be uncertain. But one thing remains the same – the character of our God. Trusting God in a time of uncertainty may not be easy, but it will be worth it. Hebrews 13:8 tells us that He is the same yesterday, today, and forever! He’s never changing, and he’s never leaving you.
Sarah Louise 