Our lives are full of periods of unpredictability. Feelings of uncertainty about what the future holds can be heightened by an unexpected event which we believe has thrown us off course or when the general direction of our life doesn't seem clear. We sometimes forget that in life we often have to expect the unexpected. Because there are so many things beyond our control, it doesn't matter how much planning and preparation we do, we still end up experiencing uncertainty from time to time.
Even though we can't always prepare ourselves for unexpected outcomes, we can plan for how we deal with times of uncertainty.
Here are three tips for taming worries about the unknowns in your life.
Swap worry for worship
Not knowing what the future holds isn't always a bad thing. Sometimes we're not even ready to receive the confirmations and validations we deem so essential. Instead of giving in to worry, we can take the time to praise God for his continual protection and presence. Even when we're at our most uncertain, He has everything in His hands. Spending time worshipping Him can help remind us of this. As we sing songs which speak of how God has delivered on His promises and will continue to do so, we're encouraged to live through uncertain times with an attitude that anticipates in hope.
Fix your mind on what you know
During testing periods of our lives, concerns about possible outcomes play on our minds and attack our faith. While we may not be sure about the way our lives our going in these uncertain times, we can always be sure of God's influence, power, control and protection. Focusing on what we know can reassure us during times of uncertainty that we have nothing to fear if we have faith in Him. It doesn't matter if we can't always see what's next for us because we can always see that He's there for us and with us through it all. His faithfulness is no match for ours but the least we can do is demonstrate ours in return.
Embrace the unpredictability
We're never fully in control of things and accepting this is pretty essential if we're going to ever be happy. In many cases not knowing what's going to happen is beneficial for us. It helps us to realise what's most important. For example, not knowing the sex of an unborn child can help us maintain our focus on the beauty of the birth and a new life, irrespective of our expectations of the individual. Not knowing the outcome of a test result immediately after taking it enables us to put the results into perspective. Whatever they are, they're not going to be the end of our world if we're walking with Jesus, but too often we can convince ourselves of the opposite.
Surprises aren't to everyone's taste but spontaneity is part of the beauty of life. God will reveal to you what awaits you in His perfect timing.
