On Thriving in Uncertainty

There is a lot of uncertainty in many of our lives right now.  For me, there is the uncertainty of a child being able to start college in the fall and other kids being able to participate in their planned sports, camps and music ensembles.  The uncertainty of continuing in the ministry God has allowed us to participate in for the last 14 years or heading out to a new adventure elsewhere.  The uncertainty of if or when my kids from hard places of past trauma will heal, and uncertainty for family and friends who are alone and hurting.  The list continues, and not all are factors of Covid-19. 

But in loving and following Jesus, I have found the secret to being sustained in times when circumstances are completely out of my control.  There is a cemented place to stand in the hurling waves and shifting sands of change and uncertainty. 

And I have found it in REMEMBRANCE.

 I remember every time my Faithful God has carried me.  When God-ordained confirmations solidified decisions to take leaps of faith and sustained us when those leaps were scary and uncomfortable.  From moving across the country, to other times staying when we wanted to go.  From raising kids in a neonatal ICU ward, to flying to another continent to get them.  From times of spiritual prosperity, to times of being physically and emotionally incapacitated, yet still hearing the loving whisper of a Sovereign God.  From experiencing the provision of a house selling in one day, to experiencing the faith required to continue trusting God’s provision when it took months and months.  From parenting kids that made decisions to follow Jesus, to continued, laborious prayers for a child who yet resists him.  From seeing God provide for our every need in sometimes miraculous ways, to eventually learning that the needs not met were withheld for our good and our growth. 

 As I remember every moment my God has sustained me, I cannot help but look forward to his hand of mercy and grace in every moment yet to come.  I am aware this sounds very “Christian-ese”, and almost fake.

Let me assure you that every grain of faith I possess was bought with blood, sweat and tears.  To be sure, I’m an optimist by nature.  But even that has not made me immune to the sadness, defeat, anxiety, depression and disappointment that uncertainty and changes create. 

But I remember, and therefore I remain steadfast and secure.  That nothing in my past, present or future has been a surprise to my All-knowing heavenly Father.  That everything he has ever done or will ever do, or has ever allowed or will ever permit is for his ultimate glory.

One of my favorite Psalms, 84, describes the journey of those who find their strength in Christ and long to be with him.  “As they pass through the Valley of tears, they make it a source of spring water; even the autumn rain will cover it with blessings…Happy is the person who trusts in you, Lord of Armies!”  Matthew Henry describes this pilgrimage of faith in this way,

“They are such that, who, having placed their happiness in God as their end, rejoice in ALL the ways that lead to him.” 

If my current unknowns are a path he has put me on to lead me to him, I’m planting my boots firmly in the cement of uncertainty and looking with expectation to the next firm step…or leap of faith… either will be a leg closer to Him. 

I remember and am satisfied.

What can you remember today about God’s past faithfulness in your life to sustain you in your current uncertainty? Leave me a comment! I’d love to pray with and for you during this time!