Finding Courage In Uncertainty
When life feels uncertain, my need for courage dramatically rises. Often, I turn to my own resourcefulness. When that fails, I remember that courage happens as I catch glimpses of something bigger and better than my current perspective.
Psalm 46 provided those glimpses for me this morning.
Through that scripture (and the help of a dictionary), I slowed down long enough to take in a brief sighting of God’s character. What I saw cut through the fog and blew everything else off the table:
- God (Creator, Mighty or Supreme One)…
- is our refuge (fortress, hope, protection, safety, rest)…
- and strength, (strategic advantage, courage, might, power to overcome, resist, or remain)…
- a very present (always willing and available)…
- help (aid, abundance, contentment, relief, rescue, sustenance, support, pay-off)…
- in times of trouble (present and anticipated)...
- Be still (quiet your soul, cease striving, surrender worry to God)…
- and know (experientially, deep within your soul)…
- that I am God (the Almighty Creator is trustworthy even when I don’t understand His ways).
An Ongoing Need
Courage is an ongoing need throughout different seasons of my life. I have yet to reach the point where I can say, “Thanks, God. I’ll take it from here.” My hunch is that God wants it that way because He’s deeply relational.
Just think about it: the One who created the galaxies stepped out of heaven and became fully human so he could be with us … for us … in us! (Jn. 1:14; Jn. 3:16; Jn. 14:20; Jn. 17:24)
Christ’s Example & Provision
Christ experienced every difficulty that you and I will encounter—loss, grief, misunderstanding, injustice, and unimaginable suffering. Through it all, he did not lean on his own resources. Neither did he interpret circumstances through his own perspective.
Jesus learned how to regularly draw wisdom, insight, guidance, and courage from God the Father. He responded to daily pressures through the indwelling presence of God. (Jn. 5:19, 30)
Jesus also entrusted his future and the final outcome of his life to the Father—so much that he willingly suffered and died for us. Afterwards, the Father raised Christ back to life, gave him authority over everything, and commissioned him as our personal high priest to pray for us and act on our behalf. (Heb. 4:15; Heb. 7:25)
Through Christ, God sent His eternal Spirit to live inside of us and to provide everything we need to navigate life together with Him. (2 Pet. 1:3). He loves us more than we can comprehend and he longs to gently and patiently guide us in every circumstance. (Eph. 3:18-19; Mat. 11:28-30)
Open Book Tests & On-the-Job Training
Times of difficulty and uncertainty don’t have to overwhelm. Rather, in God’s hands, they become “open book” tests.
If I’m willing, uncertainty and difficulty can serve as on-the-job training needed to lean on Christ and draw from his life. (Prov. 3:5-6; Song of Sol. 8:5; Jn. 13:23)
As I am learning how to do that—more slowly than I care to admit—I am also discovering that God makes good on his promises for guidance, provision, and rest—all with a growing expectation that the end of the story will be better than I can imagine. (Jer. 29:11; Rom. 8:28; 1 Cor. 2:9)
A Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you for the pressures and uncertainties of life. Even though I don’t like them, they have purpose in you. Forgive me for imagining my future without you in it and believing that I am left to my own resources. Open the eyes of my heart to “see” glimpses of what you’re really like. As that happens, fill me with courage and hope. Be my refuge and strength. Thank you that you are ever willing and ready to help. Teach me how to quiet my soul and draw from you everything I need to navigate this day.
Illustration by Lydia Tarleton
