dealing with fear & uncertainty

It doesn’t take long in life, or ministry, to hit a season of difficulty and challenge. Seasons of uncertainty, fear, and grief rock us all at times.


We each have our own tendencies in how we try to get through these types of seasons. We might try to buckle down, work even harder, and just plow through. We might try to bury our heads in the sand and try to act like everything is okay. We might do our best to get through what we have to, and then distract or numb ourselves so we don’t have to deal with our thoughts and feelings. We might isolate ourselves so we don’t have explain to others what we are dealing with. We might do the opposite and vent to trusted people or anyone who will listen. We might get angry and explode on those around us. It could be that we do any one of those or possibly a mix of them depending on the situation and season that we are facing.


Maybe we look for healthier alternatives though. We might seek a trusted advisor. We might try to process our thoughts and feeling through journaling. We might do some deep breathing or seek to exercise or eat healthier. We might look for some books to help us where we are struggling. We might look to spend time with friends and family. We might finally take time to rest. While these are definitely strategies that are much better for us than the first ones, Psalm 31:24 has an even better idea for us:


“Be strong and let your heart take courage,
All you who hope in the Lord.”


Read that verse again, and maybe one more time after that. I don’t know about you, but reading those words lets me just take a much needed deep breath. At the same time I find myself wanting to say: I want to be strong. I want to be courageous, but I just don’t know if I know how or if I can.


There is good news. The key is in the second part of that verse: “All you who hope in the Lord.” This is where we begin. When we’re uncertain, when we’re afraid, when we’re grieving or struggling, we need to start by hoping in the Lord. Sometimes we don’t just isolate ourselves from others. Sometimes in difficult seasons of life we isolate ourselves from God too. We know that’s not helpful, but we do. So start there. Stop isolating yourself from God. He hasn’t left you. He is waiting with open arms for you to come pour out your hurt, your pain, your fears, your worries, and your sorrow to Him. Not only can He take it, but He will love you through it. He will walk with you through whatever fire surrounds you.


When we go to God in difficult times, His love and His truth sparks hope in our souls. Not hope in our situation or anything else that we tend to cling to, but hope in Him. It is that hope that enables us to be strong and take courage. When we’re at the end of our rope and we can’t muster up that strength and courage on our own, it comes from hope in Him.


So are you facing uncertainty, fears or sorrow today? Spend some time with God. Enjoy His presence. Pour out your struggles and allow Him to fill you hope, strength, and courage.