In May of 2024, I felt the Lord calling me to leave teaching and step into the magical, wonderfully unpredictable world of traditional publishing. I was overjoyed. This is what I’ve wanted to do for decades. But at the same time, fear gripped me. Instead of hearing “opportunity,” they heard “deficiency” – loss of income, benefits, and insurance. Instead of stability and security, I heard anxiety and fear of the unknown.
Over the past year and a half, this journey has been everything and more than I ever dreamed of pursuing. It’s completely different from teaching. I have good days and bad days, but now I love what I do. That made all the difference. Nevertheless, I felt the Lord stirring something uneasy in my spirit. I know I’m called to write, but what can I do? I’m passionate about mental health, but how do I become an expert on lived experience? You say I have a voice, but traditional publishers say I’m no Sadie Robertson (yes, that hurts)?
Can you relate? Even if you’re not a writer, you’ve probably found yourself at a fork in the road where you don’t know where to go next. Maybe it’s deciding on a university or career. Perhaps you are having trouble choosing your first job. For others, it may be important to find friends they can trust or “the one” to marry. Life is full of uncertainty for all of us, no matter what we’re facing. The question is how to respond. What if these seasons are not wasted, but can be formative, meaningful, and even clarifying if approached intentionally?
1. Remember God’s faithfulness
Especially in times of suffering and unfamiliarity, it is important to remember God’s past faithfulness. why? Because as humans, we quickly forget all that God has done for us and gotten us through.
In Psalm 77, the psalmist cries out to God, exhausted and overwhelmed. I have no idea when help will arrive and I’m about to throw in the towel. But then in verse 11 he tells his soul to remember.
“I remember the works of the Lord; yea, I remember your miracles of old” (Psalm 77:11, NIV).
In the midst of chaos and uncertainty, the last thing we want to do is remember where we once were. This is where we believed the Lord was calling us. But remembering now puts today’s issues into perspective. Not because we magically have the answers, but because we trust God to answer.
2. Remember God’s Word
God has been faithful in our lives beyond just remembering specific places and prayers. It may also be helpful to turn to God’s Word. Perhaps this sounds basic and simple, but God’s Word is active, living, and powerful in changing our lives. This is why Psalm 77:12 continues:
“I will consider all your works and meditate on all your mighty deeds” (Psalm 77:12, NIV). For our psalmists not only remember when and where God appeared, but also how God’s word demonstrated its reliability from the beginning. God’s word is eternal truth. We need it to feed our hungry souls. But the best thing about God’s Word is that it never changes.
Malachi 3:6 says that the Lord is faithful and never changes. Matthew 24:35 says, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away” (NIV). Hebrews 13:8 says Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever (ESV). And, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, and there is no variation or shadow due to change” (James 1:17, ESV).
Each of these scriptures tells us to remember God’s Word because it can never be taken away from us. If you learn to write these words in your heart, you will be able to face any season of uncertainty. That doesn’t mean we face less stress, but it does mean we’re grounded in a truth that can never be taken away from us.
3. Remember God is in control
Once we remember God’s faithful character and unchanging Word, we must remember that God is ultimately and completely in control. If you’re like me, this can be a little scary. Not necessarily because God is in charge, but because you are not.
I have always struggled with the concept of control. We fear messing things up, choosing the wrong path, or falling behind, especially when it comes to our unknown future. Not only that, but I have a deep-seated fear of the unknown. Living in a constant state of limbo, not knowing what’s going to happen next, can add to your already high-functioning anxiety.
But at the end of the day, these two verses give me great comfort when I start to fall into thought patterns like these:
Proverbs 16:9: “A man plans his course in his heart, but the Lord establishes his steps” (NIV).
Psalm 127:2: “It is no use working hard for a living, rising early and going to bed late, for the Lord provides for those he loves while they sleep” (GNT).
I don’t know about you, but these verses convict me in a good, healthy, and necessary way. This side of heaven, it’s good to have a plan. Having goals and knowing where you want to go and why. But our future is in God’s hands. When we surrender completely to God, He establishes our steps.
Similarly, if you always try to do as much as possible, you can easily fall into a cycle of uncertainty. How do I know? Because last weekend I applied for 10 jobs out of fear and anxiety about my future. I worked from sunrise to sunset. In reality, there is no point in working like this. why? Because God is in control and has a good plan for me. He loves me and you.
We are called to work hard, but we are not called to overwork ourselves to the grave. And the truth is, we are not called to spiral into anxiety or work to the point of exhaustion. If that is you today, I hope this encourages you. You are not alone, but it is possible to move forward in a better way.
sit in uncertainty
Friends, living in a state of uncertainty can bring up a variety of emotions, including anxiety, fear, excitement, joy, and fear. And while it may be uncomfortable, learning to trust God in the process can also spark moments of growth, resilience, and deeper self-understanding.
This week, instead of running away from it, trying to move past it, or try to overcome it, try sitting in it. It will probably be uncomfortable and cause anxiety. But keep pushing. Take time to journal, pray, sort out your heart, and pour out your heart before the Lord. Know that God cares about your fears and hopes, even the ones you can’t stop thinking about.
The desire to know what will happen next is a natural part of life, but instead of rushing to get all the answers, you can embrace the middle ground. What small steps can you take this week to move forward in a season of uncertainty?
prayer
Dear God, I feel overwhelmed and anxious about the future right now. Do you know how scared I am of things I can’t control? Please comfort me in this place and help me sit with You in my anxiety. I trust in your plan and I trust that you will deliver. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Photo credit: ©Unsplash/Hannah Olinger
Amber Ginter is a teacher-turned-author who loves Jesus, her husband Ben, and granola. Growing up, Amber looked for resources on faith and mental health, but couldn’t find anything. Now, she gives hope to young Christians struggling with mental illness that goes beyond just reading the Bible and praying more. Because even though we love Jesus, we can still be plagued by anxiety. You can download her top faith and mental health resources for free to help you navigate books, podcasts, videos, and influencers from a faith perspective. Visit her website at amberginter.com.
