Uncertainty/Wilderness

I don't know about you, but I find uncertainty very difficult. I want to figure things out and know how things will go. I like making a plan for the day and seeing it come to fruition. But how often does this actually play out the way we would like? I would say, seldom. As humans, we have an inherent desire for predictability and control. Uncertainty threatens this sense of control and it activates our brain’s threat-detection system.

When we look at the Bible, it is filled with story after story of uncertainty and things “not making sense,” followed by God’s subsequent salvation plan—which, by the way, is always completely different than we could ever have imagined. Here are a few examples:

1. Abraham and Sarah – Abraham was asked to leave his homeland, having no clue where he was going or what would happen. They had a promise of a child in their old age, but didn’t know how or when this would be fulfilled.

2. The Israelites leaving Egypt – They obeyed God by leaving Egypt and then found themselves stuck between the Egyptian army and the Red Sea, unable to see a way out. God’s plan—to split the sea and lead them to safety—was beyond what they could have imagined. Then came years in the wilderness, filled with daily uncertainty about food, water, and shelter, and yet God provided in miraculous ways.

3. Ruth and Naomi

4. David running from Saul

5. Gideon with the very small army

6. Joseph sold into slavery

7. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego

8. Daniel in the lion’s den

9. Mary and Joseph with the birth and life of Jesus

10. The disciples after Jesus’ death on the cross

11. Paul—his travels, imprisonment, etc.

We could go on and on. The Bible is full of these wilderness experiences marked by great uncertainty.

When we are in the midst of these difficult times, we sometimes feel that God is far away, that He doesn’t see or care, or maybe even that He is punishing us for something we did wrong. But the truth is, God’s ways are higher than our ways, and we really have no clue what He’s orchestrating! God’s faithfulness often becomes clear only in hindsight.

I think we have all these examples in the Bible to remind us during hard times that God is a good God and that we are safe to surrender our lives into His hands, praying for His will to be done here on earth as it is in heaven. For those of us who like to figure things out, this can be very difficult. But if we can truly understand the love of God and how He wants to care for us and walk with us, this surrender becomes possible. We can rest in Him and allow Him to fight the battles. He sees the whole big picture; we do not.

Practically speaking, what can we do in times of uncertainty?

1. Use this time to grow. Instead of staying stuck in endless thought loops, direct your attention elsewhere—meditate on God’s word, or get back to sensory input (your body is always in the present).

2. Notice the discomfort of uncertainty and name the emotions that are attached to it.

3. Resist certainty-seeking habits, like over-checking for certain outcomes.

4. Practice acceptance and surrender.

5. Shift from a need to control outcomes to a stance of curiosity and openness—this will reduce anxiety.

6. Use this time to make meaning—explore your values, purpose, and identity.

Rather than trying to eliminate uncertainty, maybe the real goal is to develop a deeper tolerance for ambiguity, and a confidence that we can navigate challenges even when the path is unclear.

As we go through the wilderness, I want to continually remind myself that  “peace and rest are always found when we give our hearts in submission to the Savior. Rest is found in these words: ‘Your Kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.’” (New Morning Mercies Devotional)