Finding Security Living in Uncertainty
Kathleen Maxwell-Rambie
October 2015
Copyright
Have you ever found yourself in a situation and simply did not know what to do? Have you ever felt like the odds are against you? Are you in a place where you just do not have the answer? Maybe you planned something and then it does not happen or you are in a place in your life where you cannot plan too far ahead because things are uncertain. How do we walk in this place? I have found myself in all of the above situation in my life.
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| Soon after Joe was diagnosed-He died 6 years ago Oct.8th. |
When my late husband was diagnosed with a life threatening illness, suddenly our plans for our lives changed in a day. I quickly realized there were many unknowns in the world of cancer and I had no guarantees about the future. We had raised our three kids and started our second honeymoon. The words “Joe, you have a very rare cancer” not only changed his healthy world but also my plans for the two of us. Life was suddenly uncertain and I wasn’t a fan of the unpredictable. If I made a plan, it was changed because of chemo, a doctor’s decision, test results, etc.
In reality, all of us live in uncertainty, but most of us just don’t realize it. None of us have any guarantees in life. The company you work for goes under and you are out of a job, your child is in a wreck, your teenager tells you she is expecting, your mate suddenly has a heart attack and is gone and the list goes on. Our certainty or security must be rooted in the nature of who God is. He is faithful when life is uncertain. I never know what is around the corner, but for me, loving God and walking with Him through life gives me power and peace. Although I do not know what my future holds, I do know who holds my hand if I let Him as I walk in life’s uncertainties.
The Bible has an answer of how we are to navigate through such a season. I found it in II Chronicles 20 in a story about King Jehoshaphat. Several vast armies were coming against his kingdom and he did not know how to handle it. What I love about this great leader is how he handled his questions and problems. He modeled for his people seeking and magnifying God, not his situation. Jehoshaphat declares in verse 12, “…for we have no power against this vast army that has come against us, we know not what to do but our eyes are on you.” He does not deny his problem but humbly admits he does not know what to do and then declares that he will keep his focus on God.
God responds to Jehoshaphat’s problem by saying the battle is not Jehoshaphat’s battle but God’s. God tells him to not be discouraged or afraid and to “set himself, stand firm and see the salvation of his God.” Wow! All of a sudden Jehoshaphat is in a pretty secure place! All the king of Israel has to do is focus, stand and worship God. We could all take a lesson from this king. Worshipping God is a powerful weapon because it aligns our focus with the one certain thing in life- God loves us and is for us. Giving thanks to God (because all blessings come from God), reminding ourselves that His mercy trumps any sin we have committed, is an amazing way to do battle against what comes against us. The end of the story says that after Jehoshaphat defeated his enemies it took his people three days to collect all the blessings. Rest and peace came to his nation.
I daily face situations and questions that I have to answer, “I do not know” but I am beginning to say “I do not know yet.” Keeping my focus on God, His faithfulness and love and constantly having a song in my heart helps me find the answer I need. It also helps calm my soul while I live in the YET.
I have adopted the mindset that trials or crisis are adventures. It is not a good adventure story unless something goes wrong and character overcomes the challenge. I believe we have a God given right to overcome in any situation we face when our heart is right and we focus on Him.
I have decided to follow Jehoshaphat’s example to keep my eyes on God, seek Him for what I can learn in the adventures of life and have fun. A good song keeps a spring in my step as I take His hand and round the corner of uncertainty.
Kathleen is a native of the Hill Country and is passionate about helping people discover their value and worth. Contact her at kathleenmaxwell1@gmail.com or visit her blog on www.themaxwellminutes.blogspot.com75,688
