Uncertainty breeds fear and anxiety. No matter the age, uncertainty can drive discomfort and prevent a healthy flow of events. Even a young child will ask questions, out of uncertainty and have reservations when presented with new experiences, needing a trusted adult to rely on for assurance. The degree of the fear and anxiety can range from mild, silly intrusive thoughts to life threatening intrusive thoughts, and bring on physical manifestations, like hyperventilation, elevated heart rate, headaches and stomach aches, or actions that can’t be taken back. For most of us, an iffy new food or activity is the least of our worries, as adults. The troubling scenarios shift into metaphorical or non-tangible insecurities, like how to raise children, how to face a change in jobs or a move, how to move forward from an ended relationship, what to do when your home has been destroyed in a natural disaster, or how to navigate the death of a loved one. Like, really…how? Most people of faith will tell you to lean on your faith, which sounds nice, but if we’re being honest, doesn’t give you much reassurance.
How can we lean on faith when we don’t know what’s next?
First, it’s important to understand that faith is built on trust. Just as the child looking toward a trusted adult for assurance before giving the green beans a try on the plate before them, we also rely on a sense of trust to move forward in an uncertain situation. Perhaps the better question is, “Have you built up your faith?” Well, not everyone invests in faith. Some have been fortunate enough to get by without ever needing it, some have placed their faith in the wrong things and now have a bitterness toward the concept altogether. If the work is out in on your end, you feel more assured of the outcome. This means you are responsible for the building of your faith and having people of faith surrounding you.
Wherever you are in your level of faith, or where you are placing your trust, know that you are not alone. In the story of Joseph, the young boy had a faith in God and the promise God gave him through his dreams. He held to his faith even in the toughest of situations and was able to credit his achievements and prosperity to the fulfillment of those promises. In contrast, in the story of Abraham and Sarah, she had lost faith in the promise that she would bear a child. She even came to a place in her faith where she laughed at the possibility, mockingly. But she was covered by her husband’s faith, and in spite of her lack of faith, she became pregnant. Sometimes our own faith will bring us through and other times, the faith of those around us will carry us despite ourselves.
You may be wondering why it works out this way for so many. The reason is that faith is powerful. We can easily feel hindered and defeated when things don’t go our way. We can make a bad situation worse by responding inappropriately to it or we can help a situation by responding adequately. Still, some circumstances will leave us in a place of uncertainty as to the appropriate response, and that is where we can lean on faith and those around us. God provides what we need, even if it is not what we want. The good news is, when we come to the realization that our way falls short, we can begin to accept that we need His way to make it through. Lean on prayer, the support of your village, and surrender to the one who knows the plans He has for you.
Reflect on the moments that you trusted God. Did you make it through to another day? Did you learn and grown from the experience? Did you come out of it on the other side? Did a way open up? Share your experience in the comments.
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