In the United States, we are currently witnessing a massive political debate on how to get out of our national financial mess. One report today indicated that the government is spending $1.41 for every $1.00 it takes in! That means we are borrowing 41 cents for every dollar we spend. Clearly that cannot continue.
It seems everyone has a plan, or at least a strong opinion, on how to fix the problem. Republican Senator Tom Coburn said a few days ago that his deficit-cutting plan “will create certainty.” However, I’m not sure what kind of certainty he was talking about. I don’t think many people have confidence that any of the plans offered by either political party will bring certainty.
Basically, our world is uncertain. Sociologists have developed an Uncertainty Calculator to measure our capacity for dealing with uncertainty. They describe our behavior as Uncertainty Avoidance. They say we bounce between careless certainty and paralyzing uncertainty.
President John Kennedy said, “There is nothing as certain and unchanging as uncertainty and change.
After all the economic reversals, the collapse of the housing market and the banking fiascos of the last few years, people today are looking for financial security more than high-yield, risky investments. But where can anyone really find financial security? I am not even totally confident that my bank will come good for the tenth of one percent interest they promise to pay on my small balance!
Certainty is an elusive thing. I sympathize with jurors who have to make decisions based on the evidence presented to them, evidence that can be skewed and twisted to conceal the truth. I am not sure how I would handle having to make a judgment that would be beyond a reasonable doubt.
THE NEED FOR CERTAINTY
Each of us wants to be certain about what we know, what we do and what we say. We become anxious and uncomfortable when there is no certainty. When we are certain, we feel we can understand things, can predict what will happen and that we have a measure of control over our circumstances.
Uncertainty breeds anxiety and discomfort. Many psychiatric illnesses, from anorexia to compulsive disorders, come from a need for control and certainty, things that can never be found.
How do we come to grips with the uncertainty all around us? Where do we find certainty in an uncertain world?
ANCHOR YOUR FAITH IN WHAT IS CERTAIN
Yes, some things are uncertain in our world, but there is one thing that is absolutely certain. It is God’s Word. The Bible has been tested, verified and validated. You can depend on the Bible and what it says. It is certain.
John wrote, I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life. (1 John 5:13).
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. (Hebrews 11:1).
Read the Bible regularly and it will anchor your life to what is fixed and reliable. Learn God’s promises. Examine God’s footprints through history. See God’s track record of faithfulness.
Discover the reasonableness of faith. Biblical faith is not irrational; it is reasonable. It makes sense.
Luke said he wrote his Gospel after careful research, So you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught. (Luke 1:4).
Jesus said, They know with certainty that I came from you… (John 17:8).
Commit your life into God’s care. The only certainty in this world is found in the eternal and unchanging character of God.
ACCEPT THE UNCERTAINTIES OF LIFE
While there is certainty in God’s Word, there is uncertainty in everything else around us. Our health is uncertain. Who can be certain of his health? Who knows for certain when he will die?
There is not much certainty in some relationships. Friendships can fall apart and even many marriages are fragile.
Who is certain what will happen in the workplace? Education, training and experience are no guarantee of your job for tomorrow. No one can control international trade conditions and finances.
One definition of maturity is the capacity to endure and cope with uncertainty. Mature people know there is constant, unpredictable change all around them, but in the midst of it, are calm and have peace. They have the capacity to change the anxiety of uncertainty into productive energy to move forward. Mature people can cope with whatever life throws at them. Accepting uncertainty brings steadiness.
ATTEND TO YOUR SPIRITUAL HEALTH
A strong devotional life does not blind you to life’s realities but supports you through uncertain times.
Just as a physical body can fight off infections and viruses better when it is healthy, so we can repel doubts and uncertainty when we are spiritually healthy. Bible reading and meditation, prayer, fellowship with other believers, serving others and maintaining a disciplined lifestyle will keep you spiritually fit.
The more you are surrounded by God’s presence, the more likely you will see your circumstances in the light of God’s promises, God’s provisions and God’s track record of faithfulness.
ALLOW FOR CREATIVE TENSION
Based on Scripture, I am absolutely certain about some things; other things leave me confused. For example, why are some people physically healed when we pray and others are not? However, the things I do not clearly understand, do not keep me from believing what I do know. I am certain that God is good, wise and powerful. He does heal some people and I will trust him in any and every situation.
When it comes to the sovereignty of God and man’s free will, I have many questions. How can both positions be true when they are opposites and mutually exclusive? I am at peace living with the tension, knowing that there is truth in both positions even though I cannot reconcile them fully.
God’s thoughts and ways are higher than mine. There are mysteries that I don’t comprehend and questions I cannot understand. Not every situation can be resolved to my understanding. I don’t need to understand why some people are healed and others are not in order to have faith in God.
I may not have answers to every issue but I have chosen to live with the tension between situations I cannot grasp, without it derailing my faith in what I know to be true.
That is not irrational thinking. It is accepting that there is much I do not understand, cannot understand and will not understand until I reach heaven. I will resolve the tension then, but until then I will accept some creative tension in my life.
ASSERT YOUR FAITH BY SERVING AN UNCHANGING GOD
Lead with confidence. Leaders don’t know everything. Leaders do not have every issue resolved. That’s not the job of leaders. Leaders lead and must lead confidently based on what they do know with certainty.
Step out in service. There is kingdom-work to be done. We do not need to know with certainty, every detail and every outcome before stepping out in obedience. When we first became missionaries, it was a step of faith. When I assumed the pastoral leadership of a church, it was a step of faith. We did not know what was ahead for us, we just knew who was leading us. Our certainty was in him.
Paul’s testimony was, speaking of the church, I have become its servant by the commission God gave me… Colossians 1:25).
The only way to face life is with faith. Faith in God is certain! The desire for predictability reveals our need for faith. Our cleverness, experience and common sense are inadequate for dealing with life’s uncertainties. Faith is needed.
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