When You Are Facing The Unknown

“The same God who sees no sparrow fall to the ground without his knowledge and will, allows nothing to happen, except it be good and profitable for his children and the cause for which they stand. We are in God’s hands. Therefore, ‘Fear not’.” - Dietrich Bonhoeffer

There weren’t too many photos in my phone from when my dad was in the ICU two years ago but I do remember taking a photo of this quote. I was making my way through Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s “The Cost of Discipleship” and the chapter I opened that day came in perfect timing. As I was sitting in that coffee shop taking a break from caring for my dad, it was as if God was encouraging me through Bonhoeffer’s words. I don’t believe God was saying “Fear not, everything’s going to work out exactly the way you would plan it to.” I believe God wanted me to come to Him in prayer and ask for Him to move, but it’s not in the outcome where He wanted me to find rest. No, in the midst of difficulty and the unknown outcome I was reassured “Fear not, God is in control and He is with you. Rest in Him. Trust in Him. Although you many not understand how, in time you will see that He is going to use all of it for good.” Looking back on those past few months, even when I fell short in trusting Him, even when I didn’t understand, He showed Himself so incredibly faithful, truly using it all for our better good and His glory.

Are you finding yourself in a position where you fear what tomorrow, weeks, or months from now might hold? It’s crazy how we can go about life just living as normally and then just like that— the rug from beneath us is pulled and we find ourselves not fully in control of all things and concerned about the unknown. Though we may find ourselves not entirely in control of all things we do hold the responsibility in how we respond to this reality. In this time of the unknown, let us remind ourselves of what is certain, respond to this truth in prayer & worship, and ask for Godly wisdom.

—Remind yourself of what is certain—

When life makes you uncertain of what tomorrow may hold, let’s cling to what we know is certain. When you find yourself in fear of the potential bad news, let’s remind ourself of the true good news.

The New City Catechism Question #1 reminds us…

Q: What is our only hope in life and death?

A: “That we are not our own but belong, body and soul, both in life and death, to God and to our Savior Jesus Christ.”

This is our promise, for those in Christ we belong to Him now and forever. This is our future, a future with a good and faithful God, One that Psalm 103:3-5 tells us “who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s”. Although there are some circumstances out of your control right now, let me encourage you as I encourage myself, cling to the One in control, the One who has overcome the world.

—Respond to this truth in prayer & worship—

Instead of ignoring or holding back the real emotions and concerns you have in this time, turn to the One who truly cares for you the most. He died for you before you even knew Him, He crafted you down to every little detail, and through the unknown wants you to come close to Him, trust Him, and rest in Him. We have a good God who doesn’t want our hope to be in the days of tomorrow but in Him—the One who is sovereign over our tomorrows. Philippians 4:4-7 shows us that as we (with thankful hearts) run to the Lord bringing to him our prayers that we will receive the deep peace of God.

As we cling to the God who’s promises are securely eternal, who is with us in the midst of the unknown, our hearts should erupt with praise and worship. What we spend our time fixated upon, thinking about and concerned with— shows us what we are truly worshipping. As you are reminded of the truth found in God’s Word, I pray that your heart would long to spend time in worship, singing to the Lord, praising Him for who He truly is, sovereignly good. I pray that we would be a people as Ephesians 5:19 stirs us to be— “speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord”

—Ask for Godly wisdom—

God’s Word encourages us in the book of James to ask for Godly wisdom. When we are facing the unknown of tomorrow we get to depend upon the all-knowing, all-powerful God. Instead of trying to live out each day in our own wisdom and strength, we can run to the Almighty God for direction. Do not waste this season my friend! At the end of the day we can’t sit in our comfort and do nothing, we will have to do uncomfortable good things as we are empowered by the Holy Spirit. We are called to be obedient with the practical and moment by moment should ask the Lord how to live for Him. Through the situation you are faced with, be bold to ask the Lord “How do you want me to depend upon you and be obedient in this? How can I rest in you and point others to you?, How can I make the most of this situation and not waste the opportunity?” As we depend upon God and ask for His help (trust me, the simple but humble prayer of “help me God” is something I have to genuinely pray over and over), we grow in understanding His faithfulness, He will change us, mold us, refine us and powerfully glorify His name through it all.

Let Bonhoeffer’s words encourage you as it did me that one day in the coffee shop. Fear not, this time of uncertainty for you is not a surprise to the Lord, He is actually going to use it for your good(even if you feel uncomfortable through it all), allow it to strengthen your faith in Him instead of your faith in what tomorrow may hold.