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Dealing With Uncertainty in Life

As human beings we crave knowing what’s next. Dealing with uncertainty is almost harder than anything else. If we just KNOW what it is we are facing and how long we have to be strong for–it would be easier to endure. 

But more often than not we have no earthly clue what’s next. 

background of globe and travel journal with text overlay "8 ways to deal with uncertainty

When I was a social worker one of my young clients (I’ll call her Lisa) asked a lot of questions.  She was only five, so I couldn’t really fault  her for it and her favorite question seemed to be β€œWhat’s next?” 

One day I promised her we would make cookies, one of her all-time favorite things to do. For days we talked about making cookies and eating cookies, and then finally the big day came.

Pumpkin Cookies with Chocolate chips

We were elbow deep in cookie dough, when she piped up β€œWhat’s after this, Katie?”

I laughed– because I’m used to this questionβ€”and told her β€œLisa, we are baking now, this is what we are doing now; you don’t need to worry about anything else.”

She needed constant reminders to be present, to be a kid, and trust β€œwhat’s next” to me.

 I don’t lose patience with her questions. If anything, it makes me sad that she is constantly bracing for the next change and questioning if I have thought ahead.

mother and daughter hugging

On the same day of our great cookie baking lesson, my husband and I were waiting on a phone call that we thought would tell us β€œWhat’s Next?” in our lives.

Instead of getting the answer we were looking for we were told: β€œkeep waiting.”  As I struggled with anger and frustration and uncertainty over not getting my β€œwhat’s next” question answered, I realized how alike little Lisa and I were. 

“For this moment, you are where I want you to be.”

God spoke these words over my own impatience in dealing with uncertainty. 

My human tendency to rush ahead and eliminate uncertainty might help me momentarily feel more at ease, but it doesn’t help me develop trust, patience, or perseverance. 

on what's next

5 Bible Verses About Dealing With Uncertainty

  1. β€œBut those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.” -Isaiah 40:31
  2. “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” -Hebrews 11:1
  3. So do not worry, saying, β€˜What shall we eat?’ or β€˜What shall we drink?’ or β€˜What shall we wear?’  For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.  But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. -Matthew 6:31-34
  4. We wait in hope for the Lord, he is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice for we trust in his holy name.May your unfailing love be with us, Lord,
        even as we put our hope in you. -Psalm 33:20-22

  5. Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. Proverbs 19:21

lake michigan

If God told me β€œwhat’s next” I would probably become fixated on planning and preparing and miss what He wants me to experience now. I may mix the ways He wants to use uncertainty in my life to grow my certainty in Him and His character. 

If I told little Lisa that right after we were finished baking cookies we were going to play outside she might have gotten so excited about playing that she overlooked the fun we were ha

ving creating cookies.

If you want to learn more about having hope in uncertainty check out my Bible Study Claiming Fresh Hope! 

Fresh hope Bible study notebook, worship playlist, video bible teaching and study pages

 

Worship Music to Encourage You in Uncertainty

1. Wait on You
One of my favorite songs for seasons of uncertainty is “Wait on You” by Maverick City Music. I pray these words encourage you in your waiting season. 
 
“I’ve never seen a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow
But I’ve got a promise I can hold in the middle of the struggle
God, if you said it, You’ll perform it
May not be how I want You to
But here’s what I’ll do

… I’m gonna wait on You.”

 
2. You Keep Hope Alive
This song is so powerful and brings tears to my eyes! 
 
 “Days may be darkest, but Your light is greater
You light our way, God, You light our way
When evil is rising, You’re rising higher
With power to save, with power to save.
You keep hope alive, You keep hope alive
From the beginning to end, Your word never fails
You keep hope alive, because You are alive
Jesus, You are alive!
 
 
3. Rescue 
Lauren Daigle is one of my all-time favs and this song is gorgeous and packed with truth!
 
“I hear you whisper underneath your breath
I hear your SOS, your SOS
I will send out an army to find you
In the middle of the darkest night
It’s true, I will rescue you”
 
 

It isn’t easy to relinquish our perception of control, but what peace and hope knowing that God holds our future!

What joy knowing that his gifts are more than we can ask or imagine!

What freedom in releasing our worries to Him and living in the moment to serve Him!

What love knowing that He has a plan and will never let us down.

What helps you deal with uncertainty? 

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