Becoming Content With Uncertainty

Ummm…content with uncertainty? Is that really possible? Or, is this going to be “pie in the sky” that “preaches” well, but isn’t really achievable?

Yes, I am discovering it is a do-able deal.  It’s not easy because there are so many mental habits to retrain.  But, it is obtainable if…

We begin to understand that the word obtainable is seen as a process and not a destination.

Let me share with you some thoughts that I’ve found very helpful and have led me in my journey to increasing peace, joy, and faith.  Let’s look at Philippians 4:11-12:

11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.”

Although the Apostle Paul is speaking specifically here of material things, I believe the Holy Spirit is revealing a much broader application of living truth and practical reality.

Paul also said to the Corinthian church, “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair;” (2 Cor. 4:8).

Just a little bit later in his letter, Paul said, “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”

If you put just these three verses together, I believe it is safe to say that Paul –flesh and blood just like you or me– was in the place in his journey of becoming content with uncertainty…because he was convinced in the truth and character of what (Who) he could not see.

We are a people obsessed with goals and achievements.  However, relationships don’t really unfold and mature that way.  Relationship is a process of learning, experiencing, and knowing.  It can be messy.  There’s a proverb that says, “Where the stall is clean there is no ox.”  As Bill Johnson, pastor of Bethel Church, Redding, CA says, “There are no poopless cows.”   He also says, “If you want the peace that passes understanding, you have to give up your right to understand.”  I personally applaud and am learning to live with the truth of both of those statements.

Living with uncertainty is living with mystery.  Becoming content with mystery is becoming content with the God of mystery. 

The “fear” of the Lord that’s the beginning of wisdom can be rightly understood as, living in the “mystery” of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.  We, as Christ followers, have a desperate need to return to the mysteries of God.  He is awesome.  To be such, you and I have to deeply trust Him in the many, many things we don’t understand.  We must abandon the demand to get our heads around everything.  We must embrace the “I don’t knows” of circumstances because God knows all things and is working them for our good.

Gary

 

 

 


 

  • Keeper

    That’s a good way to look at things. That really takes a-lot of faith. Its hard not to worry. Especially with children. I agree its temporary, but sometimes its continuous. I think this is how your faith gets tested, is from the trials and tribulation we go through. If we still always keep the faith during good and the bad is the key. People have a tendency of forgeting the lord when they are doing well, and when doing bad, many lose there faith. I believe everything is for a purpose. We are just going through a testing ground to see if our faith hold strong no matter the consequences, then you have an unbeatable army.
    God Bless Gary

    • Gary

      Thanks, Al.  You know….what we seem to forget more than anything else is that faith, hope, love, joy, etc. are spiritual qualities and are the result of the work and grace of the Holy Spirit.  We can’t try hard enough to have sufficient faith.  It isn’t possible.  But, the good news is the fact that Jesus Christ in us is our hope to achieve His purpose and work.  Our work is simply to cooperate.  Flesh energy attempts at faith will always fall far, far short.