Finding Courage in the Face of Uncertainty

Nothing you Experience is Uncertain to God.

God, I know that You can work all things together for good. But right now, I’m overwhelmed by what’s going on around me. The future feels uncertain, and I want to panic. Please help me. Remind me of Your promises. Fill me with courage and give me strength for today and hope for tomorrow. Speak to my heart and encourage my soul. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

“Be strong and courageous, for you are the one who will lead these people to possess all the land I swore to their ancestors I would give them.” – Joshua 1:6 

Think of Joshua as he prepared to lead the Israelites into Canaan—a place overrun by their enemies. Although God promised them this land, the journey to obtain the promise was long, hard, and filled with uncertainty.

Perhaps that’s why God reminds Joshua: “Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you. Be strong and courageous…” God knew Joshua’s secret concerns, and so He spoke to the fear in Joshua’s heart.

The same God who encouraged Joshua also wants to encourage you. He understands how easily fear and anxiety can paralyze anyone forced out of their comfort zones and into circumstances beyond their control. 

Thankfully, no matter how uncertain you may feel, the outcome of every situation is known to God. And God promises to never leave or forsake those who draw near to Him. His children are never alone. You are not alone. And your future is held in His hands.

So, how do you deal with uncertainty?

Acknowledge your limitations, Lay down your expectations, and Pick up God’s declarations. Lets’ take a closer look at these steps and discover how to incorporate them into our daily lives.

Acknowledge Your Limitations

The Israelites out-fought the Amalekites as long as Moses held up his arms … After a while, his arms were so tired that Aaron and Hur got a rock for him to sit on. Then they stood beside him and supported his arms … That’s how Joshua defeated the Amalekites. – Exodus 17:11-13

Standing on a hill with a staff over your head is not a strategic way to win a battle. And yet, that was essentially Moses’ plan when he instructed Joshua to go fight a powerful kingdom.   

But his actions during this fight not only helped the Israelites defeat their enemy, but they also illustrate 2 healthy ways to acknowledge your limitations in uncertain situations.

Cling to the One who knows your future.            

As long as Moses held his staff above his head, the Israelites won, but as soon as he lowered it, they began to lose. By lifting his staff, Moses symbolically acknowledged God was always with them—and He alone was in control. 

Like Moses, when you find yourself in a battle you know you’re ill-equipped to handle, look at the situation in front of you and observe what’s going on around you, but don’t let that stop you from clinging to God’s authority and pursuing what He’s promised you. 

Allow trusted people to come alongside you. 

As the fight continued, Moses’ arms weakened and he could not support the Israelite army without help. That’s when his trusted friends stepped in. By holding him up, they helped Israel achieve victory.  

Moses wasn’t created to endure hard moments alone—and neither were you. What if your current limitation is actually an invitation for people to partner with you in the God-glorifying story He wants to tell through you?  

The victories achieved in uncertain seasons are rarely due to our own strength—they’re a result of clinging to God and relying on others to support us. It is the faithfulness of God that sees us through the storms of life, and when we acknowledge that, we create space for God to show up and show off in our weaknesses. 

What situations are you facing that feel too big to handle?

Which trusted people can you ask to come alongside you?

In what specific way will you cling to God’s authority today?

Lay Down Your Expectations

When the people saw that Moses delayed to come down from the mountain, the people gathered themselves together to Aaron and said to him, “Up, make us gods who shall go before us.” – Exodus 32:1

400 years. That’s how long the Israelites waited for God to deliver them from slavery. But after they left Egypt, God didn’t take them directly to Canaan. Instead, they camped at the base of a mountain while God instructed Moses. 

But after 40 days, the Israelites grew frustrated. Their delayed expectations led to poor decisions: they rejected God and pursued whatever pleased them. 

If you’ve ever felt frustrated by an uncertain season that lasts longer than you anticipated, you’re not alone. We can become so focused on our disappointments that we forget God is still in control. That’s why it’s important to remember that your waiting is never wasted.

Even though the Israelites couldn’t see it at the time, God wasn’t withholding His promises from them—He was preparing them for it.

So, if you find yourself weary from waiting, do what the Israelites forgot to do: look for evidence of God’s presence, and look back on what He’s already done. God’s timeline may be different than yours, but His faithfulness doesn’t waver. Your waiting might be preparing you for the plans and purposes God has for you. 

What have you held onto that you know you need to surrender?
In what ways has God been faithful in your life? 
What might God be trying to show you in your current season? 

Pick Up God’s Declarations 

Joshua summoned all Israel, “…you know in your hearts and souls, all of you, that not one word has failed of all the good things that the Lord your God promised concerning you. All have come to pass for you; not one of them has failed.” – Joshua 23:14

Joshua spent most of his life enduring adversity, setbacks, and disappointment. And yet, he never stopped believing that God would keep His promises. By the end of his life, Joshua saw God’s faithfulness come to pass, which is why he told the Israelites to recognize and remember God’s promises. 

The thoughts you fill your mind with are crucial because what you cling to influences your worldview. 

If you choose to dwell on God’s promises, you start to recognize God’s blessings during uncertain times. Plus, trusting that God will redeem your present pain equips you to walk forward in faith and keep on fighting. 

As you walk forward today, reflect on some of God’s promises, and let them transform the way you think: 

• God will sustain you.
• God’s peace will guard your heart. 
• God delights over you with singing. 
• God will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go. 
• God is your refuge and strength, your help in times of need. 
• In all things, you are more than a conqueror because God loves you. 
• God will never leave you or forsake you. 
• God’s perfect love casts out all your fear. 
• Nothing can separate you from God’s love. 
• God’s not done with you. God’s not done with you. God’s not done with you. 

Pray God’s Promises:
God, I’m so thankful that the Scriptures are filled with Your promises. Help me to cling to what I know is true. Remind me of Your faithfulness. When I am tempted to forget what You’ve done or how You’ve shown Yourself faithful, cause my heart to remember. Keep me steadfast. Amen.

Practice Being Still 

“The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” – Exodus 14:14 

Just after they escaped from Egypt, Moses encouraged the Israelites with those words. Perhaps he understood that our natural reaction in moments of uncertainty is to restlessly bounce between anxiety and despair. 

Feelings of uncertainty can result in the prefrontal cortex in your brain “shutting down”: impairing your ability to solve problems, pay attention, and stay flexible. This increases your chances of engaging in irrational behavior and makes you more prone to anxiety, depression, and stress. 

That’s why it’s important to fix your mind on what matters by centering your heart on God’s truths. Stillness is a discipline that takes continual, conscious practice, but the act of stillness sharpens our senses and makes us more aware of God’s presence in our present circumstances.  

So, how do you practice being still? One practical way is by walking through the 3 action steps discussed above: 

1- Acknowledge your limitations: Spend a couple of minutes paying attention to what you’re feeling and name those emotions. Give yourself permission to not feel okay. This process helps break the cycle of intrusive, anxious thoughts, and helps your brain start to think through new ways to handle uncertain situations. 

2- Lay down your expectations: What’s currently causing you to feel anxious or afraid? Visualize putting those concerns into a box, and then give that box over to God. Ask Him to replace your worries with reminders of His promises. (You may have to repeat this process several times before you feel ready to move on.) 

3- Pick up God’s declarations: Spend at least 5 minutes poring over God’s promises. Imagine putting them on like clothing, and ask God to show you which ones He wants you to focus on that day. (Some days, it may seem like God has a lot to say, and other days, it may feel like God is quiet. Both are normal, natural fluctuations in healthy relationships.) 

Whatever you face in the weeks ahead, remember that nothing you experience is uncertain to God. He was at work in your past, He’s here in your present, and He holds your future. Hold fast to His promises and trust that He is good.