Uncertainty

C. S. Lewis wrote, “The human spirit will not begin to try to surrender self-will as long as all seems to be well with it.” When we are good, we’re good. We don’t need God. As one person said, “We regard God as an airman regards his parachute; it’s there for emergencies but he hopes he’ll never have to use it.”

Fear hits us from all angles. We desire to make a difference and fear living a life that doesn’t count. We need control and fear surrendering to God. We fear insignificance and uncertainty. The fear of failure drives us to make rash decisions or causes us to fear deciding at all. And then there is the final enemy—we fear dying. We battle fear, but things change when we realize the battle is too big for us. We are surrounded, outnumbered, outgunned. The battle against fear will be won, at the end of the day, by coming to grips with this truth: The battle belongs to the Lord. That’s what King David learned early in his life.

Fear has the power to debilitate us, cause us to make unhealthy decisions, erupt within us a volcano of hurtful words, and lead us down a dark path. Fear can come quickly and leave just as expeditiously. Or it can settle in our hearts and threaten to never leave. Fear is often brought on by uncertainty in our lives. It was the fear of uncertainty that changed the course of George’s life.

Uncertainty is the only certainty in our lives. We just don’t know what will happen tomorrow. Money markets rise and fall. Health can take a quick turn. Children make decisions that alter their lives…and ours. One phone call can change everything. Uncertainty around us produces fears within us. But…the fear of uncertainty doesn’t wear well on followers of Jesus.

Have you read today’s newsfeed? The world has changed since you last scrolled through the news—division in government. Stocks are up and down—medical updates. Sports teams win and lose. Players get traded. A coach resigns, and another gets fired. Evil leaders attempt to expand their kingdoms by taking over another area. The world revolves around a twenty-four-hour cycle of change. What will happen next? No one is certain.

God is in complete control of all things. His sovereignty is not delegated or shared. He is intimately involved in the day-to-day affairs of my life. My days are in his hands.

The fear of uncertainty causes us to run . . . fast. We run to places we think will bring comfort. We run to where the pain can be dulled, at least for a while. These are unhealthy destinations that deliver short-lived satisfaction and false hope. God has a different remedy for uncertainty. He tells us to stay put and wait for his confidence.

In dark valleys, he is our Shepherd who leads us to safety. God can always be trusted in the uncertainties of living. And we can be sure that when we leave this life, he will deliver us safely home. 

Worry is not a personality trait; it is a spiritual problem.