Trusting God in the Unknown
Trusting God in the Unknown: Finding Peace When You Can't See the Next Step
There is something unsettling about not knowing what comes next. I have come to crave certainty. I like planning, being in control, and knowing that everything will work out the way I expect it. But, life doesn't always give us that luxury. Unexpected circumstances tends to leave me feeling unsteady and shaky on my feet.
When I first discovered I had to have surgery in February on my dominant arm, I approached it calmly, and told my surgeon I needed to know the plan. What does surgery entail, what happens after, how soon can I get back to work, etc. I wanted to know every last detail so I could plan accordingly.
Unfortunately, that's not how surgery works. Surgery can be...well...unpredictable. They cannot give you a straight answer because everyone is different in how they heal and the circumstances around their surgery. The vague answer of 1-3 months best case scenario or 12-18 months worst case scenario filled me with instant anxiety. He felt with all the data he had, I was likely looking at the best case scenario. I could live with that answer.
Without divulging all the details surrounding my surgical recovery, the short version is - the surgeon had to make a decision while operating that turned this from best case to worse case scenario. Along with that change came intense pain and swelling, loss of use of my right hand completely, and trying to retrain myself simple tasks.
The first three weeks were torture. I don't think I can quite fully describe to you the level of pain I felt. It was like nothing I've ever felt before. Even still, it hasn't fully subsided. I tell you this, not to garner sympathy for my situation, but to paint the picture of how dire my situation was and what I had to do as a result.
Trusting God became the very foundation I had to stand on.
But why is it so hard to trust???
Let's be honest. Trusting God when we can't see what He's doing makes it difficult. I want signs, immediate answers, and clear direction...don't you?
The reality of faith is God asks us to trust Him first, and clarity comes later.
This last month I have woken up daily with one verse on my mind - Proverbs 3:5-6. I want to break this down a bit more for you.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6
Notice that this verse doesn't say - Trust God when you understand everything.
It says - lean not on your own understanding. This means even when we don't see signs, have immediate answers, or clear direction, HE DOES!!!!!
So...how do we trust when we cannot see? Great question, here is what I have come to realize the last month.
Surrender your fear - Worrying doesn't change your situation. However, surrendering them to God changes your heart. Lay it all out at the feet of Jesus in prayer and release the need to control your outcome.
Remember His faithfulness - Think back to a time in your life when God was faithful before. He has brought you through difficulties once before, and He will do it again.
Take one step at a time - This is the hardest lesson of all for me right now. I want so bad to do things I used to be able to do and cannot. Remember, God see's the full picture, He will reveal one step at a time for us.
Replace worry with worship - When I found myself begin to worry or become frustrated, I turned to worship. Shifting my focus really helped me clear my mind and get my focus back where it belonged. I did this through music, Church services via video, reading scripture, and spending time in prayer.
Trusting God in the unknown helps you find peace even when you can't see the next step.
Peace doesn't come from understanding everything, it comes from knowing God is in control. Life often feels uncertain, but God is steady. He is our calm among the chaos. He is working behind the scenes, and in our weakness, He is our strength.
Today, choose to trust. Release the need to know all the details and rest in the truth that God already knows the way.
With Grace, Shonda