By Bethany Bettenhausen
“Come now, you say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit.’ Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.” James 4:13-14
In reality, all times are uncertain. We are never promised tomorrow, but some times do seem more uncertain than others. There are times in our lives when we see reality more clearly: that really we have very little control over our lives and all of our carefully laid out plans are just plans, not a promised future. These are times when we catch a glimpse of just how mortal we are, and we remember that our lives are but a vapor. I am in one of these truly uncertain seasons. Unexpected sudden health issues have completely upset my plans and have even made me face my own mortality. This has been a scary season yet one of growth, a time when God is teaching me how to thrive in the face of uncertainty.
So how can we thrive in the face of uncertainty?
First, we need to remember God’s character.
God is good. God is faithful. God is love. We can trust Him to be our loving Shepherd through the valleys. God loves us and our families more than we ever could.
“O LORD God of Heaven’s Armies! Where is there anyone as mighty as You, O LORD? You are entirely faithful.” Psalm 89:7-9
Second, we need to remember that God is with us every step of the uncertain road.
The words of Jesus are comforting, “and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:20b. He is always with us even on a tough and uncertain journey. He never leaves us or forsakes us. We are never alone.
Third, we need to remember that we have an eternal hope. We are not home yet, and home will be well worth the journey!
“By faith Abraham when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he lived as an alien in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, fellow heirs of the same promise; for he was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God.” Hebrews 11: 8-10
Even the best of this world is nothing compared to what is to come. All the pain of this world will pale in the light of eternity. We are not home yet. This life is not the end-all. We can rejoice knowing we are on our way to a perfect home where we will be forever in the presence of God safe and sound.
“And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying ‘Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.’” Revelation 21:3-4
I am learning to trust God. I believe He will take care of me and my family despite my circumstances because He is so good, faithful and loving. I am comforted that God is with me, even when life is uncertain and sometimes plain scary. And I am encouraged that the best is yet to come! I can truly thrive in uncertain times because I serve a certain God who never forsakes me and who has a certain future for me far more wonderful than I could ever ask or imagine!
Equip Her 