An Uncertain Future Reveals Our Need for a Trustworthy God

Fewer things are harder to deal with in life than uncertainty.

When the doctor realizes that something is wrong with you, but can’t pinpoint a diagnosis. Or your company is laying off workers, but you don’t know which ones. And when there’s coronavirus and regular routines are at a standstill and you don’t know how long it will take for life to get back to normal.

I know for myself that it’s easier to get through something – especially if it’s painful or unpleasant – when there’s a specified ending. Most of us can endure hard things if we see the end in sight. It’s the not knowing when it will be over that shrivels our soul and drains us of hope.

It seems like every morning I wake up looking for good news. And while I haven’t been finding it on Fox News or CNN, I can always find it in God’s Word.

These are the times we as Christians can grow as we trust God and look for encouragement in His Word. We just want it all to be over, but we aren’t in control of that.

On the Big Boo podcast recently, I heard Beth Moore talk about accepting that fact. She said, “I’m never going to be more frustrated than when I have no ideas to give God for how to handle the situation that my family’s in…I don’t get anxiety until I’m out of answers to suggest to Him.” Her point is that God is in control. He is responsible for us and doesn’t need us to help Him figure out a solution to our problems. Our job is simply to trust Him.

Over and over in the Bible, we can find reassurance that our God is worthy of our trust. The passage below is a wonderful reminder of how great our God is.

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.” ~Psalm 46:1-3

God is here now.

Yes, He’s the God of the Old Testament, the one who was with Moses and David and Elijah. But He’s also present in March 2020. He knows what each one of us is facing. And He’s in control of everything…which reminds me of the children’s song, “He’s got the whole world in His hands.”

God is our refuge.

He shelters us and keeps us safe. He preserves us. There’s no governor or president or world leader who’s going to be able to take care of us like our God can.

God is our strength.

If you’re like our family, there’s some learning taking place at home…at least attempts at it. One daughter is doing high school classes and one college classes. And our house has people in it all the livelong day.

But, if we’ll ask Him, God can be our strength. He’s our power supply and our support system when we want to lose it with our kids. He gives the grace and patience we need as we adapt to constant change.

God is a help.

Mountains that move and troubled waters don’t impede God helping us. Just because our circumstances change, He doesn’t leave. He assists us and supports us, emotionally, physically, spiritually, and in every way possible.

How do we react to knowing these truths about God? We find out later in the chapter.

“Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.” ~Psalm 46:10-11

That whole “be still” sounds good, but it can be hard to put into practice. If your family is all huddled up at home, it make take some strategizing, but try to find time to be still today. Meditate on Who God is and how faithful He’s been in the past. Then commit to trust Him to see us through these unsettling days.

Related posts:

• What Ruth Teaches Me About Trusting God
• On Trusting God’s Purpose When I Just Want an Easier Life
• 3 Truths About God from Psalm 91 to Encourage Us Today