Biblical Answer

Understanding Anxiety and Uncertainty

Anxiety and uncertainty are natural human experiences that can be overwhelming and debilitating. Our natural inclination is to be precise and try to forecast accurately what will happen next, but this can lead us to view uncertainty as a bad thing. However, the Bible teaches us that uncertainty is not necessarily a bad thing, but rather an opportunity to trust in God's sovereignty and goodness. As the Apostle Paul writes, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:6-7).

Prioritizing Values in Uncertainty

In times of uncertainty, it's essential to prioritize our values and trust in God's goodness and sovereignty. We must recognize that our ability to deliberate about our decisions and ponder the options before acting is not independent, but rather interconnected with our past experiences, subjective histories, and personal idiosyncrasies. This means that our thoughts and decisions are not solely our own, but are influenced by factors beyond our control. Rather than trying to control every aspect of our lives, we must learn to trust in God's sovereignty and goodness, even when we don't understand what's happening. As the Bible teaches, "In nothing be anxious. And it is only when we know that God actually rules from the throne of the universe, and that He has ordained us to be His loved ones, that we can have that inward peace in our hearts" (Psalm 55:22).

Practicing Trust in Uncertainty

Practicing trust in uncertainty requires us to reorient our thinking and prioritize our values accordingly. We must learn to see uncertainty as an opportunity to trust in God's goodness and sovereignty, rather than a threat to our well-being. This means being intentional about prayer and petition, presenting our requests to God with thanksgiving and trust. We must also recognize that our thoughts and decisions are not solely our own, but are influenced by factors beyond our control. By trusting in God's sovereignty and goodness, we can experience inward peace, even in the midst of uncertainty. As the Bible teaches, "The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O God, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands" (Psalm 138:8). By prioritizing our values and trusting in God's goodness and sovereignty, we can navigate uncertainty with confidence and peace.