Uncertaincy

These past few months have been full of uncertainty. Late at night, I wonder what's next. What will happen to me in the next few months? Who will I meet next that will be a part of my life? Will I get what I prayed for, or will I become disappointed? Will I still have my job, or will I be interested in my job in the future? The fact is, I don't know. These questions all contemplate the future and what's to come. In my younger days, I was so positive and confident about life. Maybe life has knocked me down and brought me back from reality. Or I've gotten slightly more cautious as I've gotten older. As I've gotten older, I have found a constant. This constant has kept me sane. This constant has brought me contentment. This constant has brought me purpose. This constant is God.  I've listened to this podcast recently called trusting beyond knowing by TD Jakes and reflecting on what God's word says. After reflecting, I feel encouraged. Here are some of my podcast thoughts and reflection on God's word.

The first thought is that whatever the outcome is, it will be for my good. This saying comes from this verse used all the time when faced with adversity: Romans 8:28, "And we know that God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Knowing I can trust God no matter the outcome is comforting, and God's promises are something I can count on as well. In this verse, Paul is talking to the Romans, encouraging them through tough times, and saying that it will all work out for their good. At first, I thought it could only be good if I got what I wanted, but then I started to see it from a different perspective. I'm safe if God knows me and what is best for me. Also, in Jeremiah 29, 11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Psalm 139 :1 says You have searched me, Lord, and you know me". These verses all affirm my safety in God. I can trust God because he knows what is best for me. I can trust His word and actions that no matter the outcome, He is good and will be good.

Another thought comes to mind is a famous American lawyer and Presbyterian church elder, Horatio Spafford, comes to mind. I learned about him in school and was always shocked by his faith and surrender to God. Remembering Horatio brings me to my second reframing thought. It is well with my soul. I will give a quick synthesis for those who need to learn Spafford. The story goes those two years after their son died, Horatio sent his wife and four children ahead of him to see a friend preach, and suddenly, an accident happens where Horatio losses his children but not his wife. Years later, Horatio and his wife had three more children and then lost his only son. Then is when Horatio started to put the pen to his paper and write the famous hymn we know today: "When peace like a river, attendeth my way, when sorrows like sea billows roll; Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say, it is well, it is well, with my soul."

The lesson of this story has always been to keep the faith even in times of sorrow. It's truly inspiring that through the darkness and hardships of his life, God used it to be a song we sing today. Life ca send us harsh storms that cause great sorrow, but it can still be well with our soul. That sums it all up when it comes to uncertainty. You see, I will never know what comes next. My storm is in the waiting, the anxiety of not knowing what will happen in my life. Wil, I end up in my sorrows in life or will I rejoice. Either way I can rejoice when its storming and when it is not. I shift my focus on what I do know, which is God's words that provide me comfort and peace. Lastly, this verse that comes to mind is Romans 5:3-5 "Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not put us to shame because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us." This verse has been the life verse that when things get hard, I can put my hope in God and know that whatever seems hard now is for my good.