Humans have an innate need to know what’s going to happen next. That’s why we often flip to the back of a book or do a Google search about what’s going to happen on a TV show or movie. When faced with uncertainty, fear is a natural reaction, especially when dealing with things far more important than entertainment. However, we can boldly face the unknowns of the future when we have our faith rooted in our relationship with Christ.
When you think about the future, what emotions come rushing to the forefront? Over the course of the last two years, this type of question has brought about more anxiety than it may have in 2018 or 2019. As the COVID-19 pandemic ravaged the world, it didn’t take long for people to start experiencing uncertainty in every area of their lives. Not only were we facing mask mandates and stat-at-home orders, but many of us felt the economic impact of the pandemic as layoffs and job loss became more prevalent. Even now, as some of the restrictions are being lifted, there is still a lot of uncertainty to deal with.
The future can be scary, mostly because we don’t really know what it’s going to bring. Our innate need for control leaves us scrambling for something resembling control when we’re faced with the uncertainty of the future. However, when we remember that we have our faith planted firmly in our relationship with Christ, the future doesn’t have to be so scary.
The Scriptures you’re about to read aren’t a quick cure for anxiety. However, the passage that we’re going to look at provide a beautiful example from someone who faced plenty of uncertainty of his own.
Psalm 46:1-3 (ESV)
God is our refuge and our strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains may be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling.
Some theologians believe that David wrote this Psalm after he had led Israel to another victory over multiple pagan nations that surrounded them. While we don’t have any way to know for sure, the fact remains that David pointed out two very powerful truths within the first three verses of this Psalm.
First of all, David speaks of the surety that he experienced due to his relationship with God. He knew that regardless of what life may bring him, God provided a refuge, strength, and a very present help in time of trouble. That declaration is the basis of everything else that we’re going to look at when dealing with our own uncertainties.
Secondly, the scene that David painted is one of complete uncertainty. Even when things change unexpectedly in your life, there are a few things that you know you can count on. It would be fair to compare those things that we’re sure of to the mountains, earth, and the sea.
Sometimes our future feels so uncertain that it seems like even the things that we were sure we could count on are thrown into chaos, as well. In those moments, we can rest in the fact that God is our refuge, our strength, and a very present help in time of trouble.
Psalm 46:8-9 (ESV)
Come, behold the works of the Lord, how he has brought desolation on the earth. He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the ow and shatters the speak; he burns the chariots with fire.
David knew a thing or two about remembering the works of the Lord. Long before he was a king, he stood in front of a giant named Goliath with nothing more than a slingshot and some stones. While he was standing there, he didn’t simply talk about what was about to happen. Instead, he recounted times in his life where bears and lions took sheep from his flock. However, God gave David the strength necessary to go after the predators, kill them, and recover his sheep (1 Samuel 17:34-37).
When we’re faced with the uncertainty of the future, we can spend some time looking at the things God has done in our past to find a source of comfort. For instance, if you’re not sure what’s going on with your job, think back to times in your life where God supernaturally provided for you. Perhaps you got a job that you didn’t think you were qualified for. Maybe a caring neighbor followed the guidance of God and showed up at your home with an order of groceries that you didn’t know were coming.
All of us, regardless of what we’re facing can find examples of God’s goodness in our lives. Instead of fearing the future, spend some time revisiting times where He has come through for you in the past. David reinforced this idea in another Psalm.
Psalm 103:2 (ESV)
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.
We’ve all seen the goodness of God and reaped the benefits that they provide. We can rest in those instances of His goodness when we’re facing the fear associated with our future.
Psalm 46:10-11 (ESV)
“Be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.
God has promised us that He will still be standing long after everything else has fallen away. His sovereignty is not contingent on our circumstances. Instead, His status as the God of All Creation is cemented, and there’s nothing that we will face that can change that.
Armed with that promise, we can “be still and know that He is God.” The term “be still” does not mean that we are to freeze. Instead, being still involves our mental and emotional reactions to the things going on in our lives.
When we’re still, we’re not looking for a solution. When we’re being still, we’re not trying to work our way out of the situation that we’re in or hedging our bets against the situation that we may face in the future.
But how do we embrace the idea of being still? To answer that question, simply start over with Psalm 46:1. Revisit the fact that God is our help, our strength, and a very present help in time of trouble. We are able to be still because we know who He is, we’ve seen what He’s done, and we know that He will still be Himself, regardless of what we may face.
The 46th Psalm is a beautiful, cyclical portion of Scripture that can help us face the fear of our future. There is nothing that you have faced, are facing, or will ever face that you will tackle on your own. Instead, you can rest in the goodness, the presence, and the power of God. His presence always produces victory.
The future will always be scary because it is full of unknowns. But child of God, you can know this beyond a shadow of a doubt: your Heavenly Father is for you. And if He is for you, who can be against you?
A Closing Prayer:
God, You are fully aware of the fear that I’m facing, especially over the uncertainty of my future. Help me, God. Help me to remember who You are. I know that You are my refuge, my source of strength, and a very present help in my times of trouble. Remind me of the times in my life where I’ve seen your miraculous power in my life. (At this juncture, start verbalizing some of the times that God has done something miraculous in your life. If necessary, write them down). Finally, give me the strength that I need to be still. I know that You will outlast every trial and tribulation that I face. Give me the strength to rest in that fact. In Christ’s name, Amen.