Does life feel out of control? In a volatile world filled with political, economic and social uncertainty, how do you fight uncertainty and fear? How do you live courageously and hold onto hope? In this study you will discover the 3 biblical ways to find courage in the face of uncertainty, and learn how to incorporate them into your daily life routine.
Finding Courage in the Face of Uncertainty
Thankfully, no matter how uncertain you may feel, the outcome of every situation is known to God. And God promises to never leave or forsake those who draw near to Him. His children are never alone. You are not alone. And your future is held in His hands.
So, how do you deal with uncertainty?
- Acknowledge Your Limitations.
- Put Off All Anxieties and
- Pick Up God’s Declarations.
Let’s take closer look at these steps and discover how to incorporate them into our daily lives.
A Prayer for Facing Uncertainty:
“My heavenly Father, I know that You can work all things together for good. But right now, I’m overwhelmed by what’s going on around me. The future feels uncertain and I want to panic. Please help me. Remind me of Your promises. Fill me with courage and give me strength for today and hope for tomorrow. Please Lord, through this study, speak to my heart and encourage my soul. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
- Acknowledge Your Limitations
Two healthy ways to acknowledge your limitations in uncertain situations.
A. Cling to the One who knows your future (God).
As long as Moses held his staff above his head, the Israelites won, but as soon as he lowered it, they began to lose. By lifting his staff, Moses symbolically acknowledged God was always with them—and He alone was in control.
Like Moses, when you find yourself in a battle you know you’re ill-equipped to handle, look at the situation in front of you and observe what’s going on around you, but don’t let that stop you from clinging to God’s authority and pursuing what He’s promised you.
B. Allow trusted people in Christ to come alongside you.
As the fight continued, Moses’ arms weakened and he could not support the Israelite army without help. That’s when his trusted friends stepped in. By holding him up, they helped Israel achieve victory.
Moses wasn’t created to endure hard moments alone—and neither were you. What if your current limitation is actually an invitation for people to partner with you in the God-glorifying story He wants to tell through you?
The victories achieved in uncertain seasons are rarely due to our own strength—they’re a result of clinging to God and relying on others in Christ to support us. It is the faithfulness of God that sees us through the storms of life, and when we acknowledge that, we create space for God to show up and show off in our weaknesses.
Reflection Questions:
What situations are you facing that feel too big to handle?
Which trusted people in body of Christ can you ask to come alongside you?
In what specific way will you cling to God’s authority today?
- Put Off All Anxieties: Philippians 4:6-7
Surrender your desires unto God in prayer and then have faith in God that He is more than able to accomplish them so long it’s in line with His will or divine purpose for you. Hebrews 11:28.
When you turn to God and say, “not my will, but thine”, things tend to fall into line much more easily—because they’ve been left in the hands of God who can draw a line correctly. Hopefully, it’s obvious that being expectant doesn’t translate to “do nothing.” It means: Go about the business God’s called you to, and let the results take care of themselves.
Trust in God as you once did. Don’t try to anticipate His moves before He’s made them. Allow Him to grow you at His pace, instead of thinking you can run out ahead. At the same time, don’t underestimate what God can do as you’re faithful with what He has already entrusted to you. Live in the expectancy that the good things He’s already given you will produce even better things beyond your expectations.
When the people of Israel saw that Moses delayed to come down from the mountain, the people gathered themselves together to Aaron and said to him, “Up, make us gods who shall go before us.” – Exodus 32:1. That decision of Israelites was wrong against God; Just in the midst of slight frustration, they easily lost memory of how God miraculously demonstrated His power to set them free from slavery in Egypt, compassionately lead them out with much favour in the sight of Egyptians, carefully protected them through the red sea and their journey so far in the wilderness.
When you feel frustrated; don’t backslide or go backward; but remain focused on God the author and finisher of our faith. Hebrews 12:2.
Even though the Israelites couldn’t see it at the time, God wasn’t withholding His promises from them—He was preparing them to fulfil it.
That’s why it’s important to remember that your waiting is never wasted.
So, if you find yourself weary from waiting, do what the Israelites forgot to do: look for evidence of God’s presence, and look back on what He’s already done. God’s timeline may be different than yours, but His faithfulness doesn’t waver. Your waiting might be preparing you for the plans and purposes God has for you.
Reflection Questions:
What have you held onto that you know you need to surrender?
In what ways has God been faithful in your life?
What might God be trying to show you in your current season?
No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
Matthew 6:24 KJV
- Pick Up God’s Declarations
Joshua summoned all Israel … “…you know in your hearts and souls, all of you, that not one word has failed of all the good things that the Lord your God promised concerning you. All have come to pass for you; not one of them has failed.” – Joshua 23:2;1
As you walk forward today, reflect on some of God’s promises, and let them transform the way you think:
God will sustain you. Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.
Psalms 55:22 KJV
God’s peace will guard your heart. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:7 KJV
God delights over you with singing. The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.
Zephaniah 3:17 KJV
God will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go. I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.
Psalms 32:8 KJV
God is your refuge and strength, your help in times of need. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Psalms 46:1 KJV
In all things, you are more than a conqueror because God loves you. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
Romans 8:37 KJV
God will never leave you or forsake you. Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.
Deuteronomy 31:6 KJV
God’s perfect love casts out all your fear. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
1 John 4:18 KJV
Nothing can separate you from God’s love. Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
Philippians 1:6 KJV
God’s not done with you. God’s not done with you. God’s not done with you.
Practice Being Still
“The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” – Exodus 14:14
Just after they escaped from Egypt, Moses encouraged the Israelites with those words. Perhaps he understood that our natural reaction in moments of uncertainty is to restlessly bounce between anxiety and despair.
Feelings of uncertainty can result in the prefrontal cortex in your brain “shutting down”: impairing your ability to solve problems, pay attention, and stay flexible. This increases your chances of engaging in irrational behavior and makes you more prone to anxiety, depression, and stress.
That’s why it’s important to fix your mind on what matters by centering your heart on God’s truths. Stillness is a discipline that takes continual, conscious practice, but the act of stillness sharpens our senses and makes us more aware of God’s presence in our present circumstances.
So, how do you practice being still? One practical way is by walking through the 3 action steps discussed above
Acknowledge your limitations: Spend a couple of minutes paying attention to what you’re feeling, and name those emotions. Give yourself permission to not feel okay. This process helps break the cycle of intrusive, anxious thoughts, and helps your brain start to think through new ways to handle uncertain situations.
Lay down your expectations: What’s currently causing you to feel anxious or afraid? Visualize putting those concerns into a box, and then give that box over to God. Ask Him to replace your worries with reminders of His promises. (You may have to repeat this process several times before you feel ready to move on.)
Pick up God’s declarations: Spend at least 5 minutes pouring over God’s promises. Imagine putting them on like clothing, and ask God to show you which ones He wants you to focus on that day. (Some days, it may seem like God has a lot to say, and other days, it may feel like God is quiet. Both are normal, natural fluctuations in healthy relationships.)
Whatever you face in the weeks ahead, remember that nothing you experience is uncertain to God. He was at work in your past, He’s here in your present, and He holds your future. Hold fast to His promises and trust that He is good.
He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire. Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.
Psalms 46:9-11 KJV
The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.
Exodus 14:14 KJV
