Uncertainty in life is difficult to handle especially when we feel alone.
In a recent dream, I was reminded that trusting God in times of uncertainty is possible when we put our trust in Him and not our circumstances.
The love and complete acceptance of Christ help us put our trust in God
Jesus sacrificed His life so that we may rest in the confidence of His love even as we face times of uncertainty.
Trusting God in Times of Uncertainty
From the safety of the small boat, we were attempting to reach the little girl struggling in the water. Barely afloat, she flailed in the water but looked small, scared, and alone.
We threw a lifesaving ring into the water, called out to her, and extended our hands. “Just grab the ring” we yelled as she refused to look at us or accept help.
Trusting God in times of uncertainty is difficult. She was drowning, and in her desperation, began to kick the boat. I shouted for her to please stop or she would capsize the boat and place us all in danger.
I suddenly sat up in bed realizing it was a dream.
My anxious heart relaxed as I looked around at the familiar surroundings.
But my dream seemed very real.
Trusting God With a Rescue Plan
This dream followed a season when my husband and I agreed to welcome two little girls into our home.
We worked hard to become a new type of family and build cohesiveness, but one of the girls was not content, connecting or thriving.
As we watched her wrestle with anger and isolation, our sense of helplessness grew and it became difficult to trust God during times of uncertainty.
The morning after my dream, I asked her if we could talk about what I believed God was showing us.
As we sat across from each other, I drew a rough sketch of a small boat and a little girl in the water.
Averting eye contact and playing with her shirt, tears began to fall down her face and she quietly began to sob.
When God shows us a rescue plan, it is not what we expect or want to hear.
She rarely cried, so I sensed her fragile, guarded heart was beginning to open.
She talked about her feelings of rejection, betrayal, disappointment, and loneliness. I told her we loved her, Jesus loved her and we felt God had sent our family to help her walk through the pain.
She was skeptical but a ray of hope appeared when she acknowledged her feelings.
How Can I Strengthen My Trust in God
She needed to believe Jesus loved her.
She needed to embrace us and trust God in times of uncertainty with the outcome.
We didn’t fix all the problems that day but we did make a small breakthrough and illuminated a path where she could begin releasing some of her hurt and confusion.
Trusting God in times of uncertainty is not easy. When we feel spiritually drained or confused we need to turn to God to help strengthen our faith.
3 Ways to Strengthen My Trust in God
- Believe God loves you
- Take appropriate action
- Trust God in times of uncertainty with the outcome
I am often reminded of that dream and our conversation; there are situations when I feel like someone flailing around alone in a sea of uncertainty.
Fear, loneliness, regret, despair, or guilt dominate my thought life as I swim in circles around available lifeboats. Isolation drives me away from God and healthy relationships.
When it is difficult to trust God in times of uncertainty, feelings of helplessness overwhelm us.
But we know Jesus walks beside us and anchors our souls with the assurance that we are already rescued, safe, loved, cherished, and guaranteed eternity with Him.
“For the Lord says, “Because he loves me, I will rescue him; I will make him great because he trusts in my name. When he calls on me, I will answer; I will be with him in trouble and rescue him and honor him. I will satisfy him with a full life and give him my salvation.”
Psalm 91:14-16
Trusting God When You are Afraid
Trusting God when you are afraid is very difficult.
In a moment of despair or “drowning”, our faith must rise up over our fear.
Reading the Bible, prayer, and releasing control draw us out of fear and into freedom knowing He is in control.
6 Ways of Trusting God When You are Afraid
- God hears our cries when we acknowledge our fear or pain
- God can show us how to take action in our current situation
- God, through prayer, can be our greatest resource instead of the media, gossip, or circumstances
- God will direct us to good friends to help us fight isolation
- God’s Word brings us peace and lets our spirits rest and grow
Learning to Trust God in Times of Uncertainty
Learning to trust God in times of uncertainty is possible when we believe He rescues us.
Our rescue may not look the way we would like but part of trust is understanding we don’t always understand His purpose for our life.
But when we trust God in times of uncertainty we can slowly release our need to control and place our hope in God’s plans.
Jesus will always extend us a lifeline, but we have to choose to focus on His unfailing love and the promise that He is in control regardless of our situation.
It has not been easy for the little girl in the water, but she was recently baptized and continues to navigate the uncertainties in her life.
We are hopeful and confident of God’s great love for her and trust Him with the outcome.
What does the Bible say About Uncertainty
Many verses answer our questions, provide comfort, and teach us what the Bible says about uncertainty.
Here are two helpful verses in Romans by the Apostle Paul that help us trust God in times of uncertainty.
“Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting, God’s Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we don’t know how or what to pray, it doesn’t matter. He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans. He knows us far better than we know ourselves, knows our pregnant condition, and keeps us present before God. That’s why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good.”
Romans 8:28
“The One who died for us, who was raised to life for us is in the presence of God at this very moment sticking up for us. Do you think anyone is going to be able to drive a wedge between us and Christ’s love for us? There is no way! Not trouble, not hard times, not hatred, not hunger, not homelessness, not bullying threats, not backstabbing, not even the worst sins”
Romans 8:34-39
How about you, do you struggle trusting God in times of uncertainty? Do you believe God has already rescued you?
Author
Mary Rooney Armand
Mary is the creator and writer for the faith-based blog ButterflyLiving.org. Her writing is featured on multiple websites. She is the author of “Identity, Understanding, and Accepting Who I Am in Christ” and “Life Changing Stories“—a collaboration with 34 authors available on Amazon.
This is just what I needed and prayed for this morning. Have been feeling a little anxious last 2 days. Enemy has been trying to bring fear, but the Lord’s perfect Love is consistently casting it out.
Oh I am so thankful…isn’t God’s timing good? I have held onto this devotion for 3 years.
Amen! Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for stopping by and reading!
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What do we do when you trusted God to rescue you, to help, to turn it for good but He leaves you completely alone and in ruin for 30 years. How do you keep telling yourself God will ever show up and actually rescue you, when you have already lost everything that matters and there is nothing left God could even do anymore to help because it’s too late?
I am sorry you are discouraged, may this Psalm (40:1-8) bring you comfort. “I waited patiently for the Lord to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire.
He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along. He has given me a new song to sing a hymn of praise to our God.”