When you Face the Unknown

From the time we first begin to explore the world into which we are born, one of the toughest lessons to learn is how to deal with the unknown. Those unpredictable, uncertain, cannot guarantee, just not sure, it could be disastrous realities that just may happen tomorrow. 

The primary reason it is so hard to deal with the unknown is that we only have a small piece of what we can ever be sure of regarding tomorrow.  It wears away at us because we cannot be absolutely certain that it will be anything that we imagine it may be. Lurking away on the periphery of your thoughts, it can work away at your peace of mind today, like a nagging toothache. 

Why it is hard to deal with the Unknown

All of life is in a continuous merge of changing circumstances. We are created to be planners, goal setters and are purpose driven by nature. Every time an event happens that can touch your life, all of the variables change with it: the how, why, who, when and where, change with it…second by second by second by second. No wonder it is so difficult dealing with the Unknown.

Facing the Challenge of the Unknown

There are certain personalities that have a harder time with the unknown. 

The more perfectionist, detailed and structured the person, the more stressful the unknown becomes. However, in The Quiet Place as we worship God, we are transformed by His presence, and soothed by His peace. When everything else seems to be falling apart, and we have no control over the details of the Unknown, we can stop striving, and begin to rest in His protective care over ourselves and our loved ones.

Yield Control of the Unknown to God

Our earlier life experiences can make it harder to deal with the unknown. The more a child lives with traumatic events, where they had no control over the tough times they experienced, the more the unknown becomes an issue. The bottom line is that we all struggle with the unknown.  The older we become, the more we realize how little control we have over anything.

^“Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. “ Matthew 6:25- 34

Yield Depression and Anxiety to God

When a person struggles with depression and anxiety issues, it is harder to deal with the unknown.  The brain’s Limbic System controls our emotional responses to everything that we experience. One’s perception of the future becomes their reality. Hormonal secretions race through the body and impact mood, and motivation. What is real is what they feel, and many times it is laced with dread.

Yield your Finances and Needs to God

Today most people are living with limited financial resources. Getting downsized at work, being laid off, terminated or being unable to work due to health issues all impact how we look at the unknown. Having a greater responsibility for others to care for also makes it harder to deal with the unknown. 

“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19

“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

God has a Purpose in the Unknown

Recognize that God allows hard times to teach us to humble ourselves before Him and acknowledge Him always and in all things as Lord. Like the seasons of nature, God weaves His Sovereign plan from the budding of blessings in the spring, to the storms that hit our lives in the winter of the soul.

^“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:6-7

God has a Plan in the Unknown

Remember that God wants us to maintain a Biblical view of life, and the foundation is to be built upon seeking wisdom from the Scriptures.


Maintain a Biblical Strategy to Face the Unknown 

^“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”  James 1:5

Maintain a Biblical Strategy in your Thought Patterns 
 

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:2

 Maintain a Biblical Strategy in your Daily Planning

“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

God Gives Peace to Face the Unknown

Rest in God’s peace and trust Him to  use the unknown future in your life as a means to be glorified through you however it turns out.

“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him.”  Jeremiah 17:7


^“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.”  Hebrews 11:6

A Prayer for this moment

"Lord of all things and Creator of Heaven and earth, I thank you that you invite me to call you my Heavenly Father. You have led me to yourself through your Son, The Lord Jesus Christ, and have redeemed me through His precious Blood. The horizon of my tomorrows is unknown to me. In your infinite all knowing wisdom you have chosen to not give me access to what is ahead, for it may be too much for me to handle today. I kneel before you and release the anxiety and burden of the Unknown to your Sovereign Will."

The Lord Jesus taught us to pray...

"Our Father in Heaven, hallowed be your name, your Kingdom come, your Will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us today our daily bread, and forgive us our sins, as we also have forgiven those who have sinned against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the Kingdom and the Power and the Glory forever.”   (From Matthew 6:9-13)

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the Heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.” Ephesians 1:3

Take a few moments and listen to this encouraging music video by Mercy Me entitled "Word of God Speak."

Getting Back on your Feet after Failure

 
It is never easy to get back on your feet when you have fallen flat on your face. Taking a tumble in life hurts whether it is with a face plant on a cross country trail or when you fail miserably in your life. When you fail personally, and let others down, you find grit and gravel embedded in your heart, rather than on your hands and face. Running the race of life is an individual quest. We are all called to it, cannot escape the reality of it, and somewhere along the way, we will fall down more times than we care to count. 

When a runner prepares for a meet, there is rigorous training, and conditioning. Breaking the tape at the finish line does not happen unless you take running seriously, and are prepared for the tough challenges that will impact your body. The Apostle Paul wrote to the Church at Corinth about taking their faith to the next level of responsible accountability, and used the illustration of a runner competing in a race.

 

"Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. “  1 Corinthians 9:23-25

 

 
As we run along the track of life we all discover that the older we get, the more traits and physical characteristics we display that resemble our parents. Even though we may chaff at that reality there is a DNA result of a progressive transformation on the outside, so that others who knew our parents might say, “You are getting to look more and more like….” Kind of scary. 

Unlike Forest Gump, who wasn’t sure why he was running across America, running the race of life has to do with a personal participation with God’s call upon one’s life. We are to become transformed progressively within, so that our lives mirror the character of Jesus Christ.

"Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”  Romans 12:1-2

The Greek word Paul uses for  transformed is:  metamorphoo (met-am-or-fo'-o). It 

literally it means, "to change into another form" (Vine's), like when a caterpillar goes through a metamorphosis and changes into a butterfly. 

God calls us to a kind of internal spiritual metamorphosis. We are to become transformed into Christ's image from the moment that we receive redemption through His death on the cross for our sins, to our last gasp of breath (See Romans 12:1-2; II Cor. 5:17-21). The longer we have known the Lord, more like Him we are to become.

Paul understood the cost of becoming a spiritual runner and he wanted to make it clear that it is a lifetime marathon, not a 100 yard sprint.

“…but one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”   Philippians 3:13-14

It is devastating to fail in the race of life, especially when you know better and in the falling, you find it so much harder to get back in the race.

To the spiritual runners across the world….

One’s life is but a whisper of breath; an echo of eternity. It is but a glimpse of time, for life is a tapestry. Our days are full of memories; raindrops colored gray, Sunshine’s rainbow after the storm into a brighter day.

Our new dawn needs strength to weather the storm. So wait on bended knee again, to yet renew within, the kiss of God upon the soul, a purpose to conform. Our will is what we must yield, the prize it is for Him.

The past may be your prison, and bound up you may be. God's healing truly can set you free from painful memories. Stop the fleeting race of life...hush the breathless pace,
pause and gain new strength within The Quiet Place...

Weary from the stress of life, and you cannot carry on? Never quit the race of life, with courage meet the dawn. Kneel within The Quiet Place for you must set your will; whisper to your heart  today, "My soul, do hush, be still."

When you fall yet again, and believe you cannot win,  every bruise tells the story that you must begin again. Heartaches of the past are mere shadows of yesterday. Only you can stand again and press on all the way.

Failure casts a shadow not what is yet to be. You have not finished the race, on ahead is the victory. Run with the imperfect clay, flawed we struggle on; It’s upon the Potter's Wheel, His image then is shown.

 

We need God's strength for the burdens within, why  try to carry burdens only meant to lead to Him?  Jesus speaks to your heart and  also through His Word; Run the race before you, your prayers are always heard.

Begin again, to run your race do not quit because of fear; just grasp the dream once again, for He is always near. Break out of your comfort zone, and risk by pressing on; do not lose another day before the days are fully gone.

The road is full of trials, new storms hit us every day, we  only grow in faith, with tough times along the way. So you must never give up, and you must not give in, Rest in The Quiet Place with God, new life will flow within.

The footprints in the sands of life are when He carried you. On the pathway to the cross He kept your life in view. As you run the race of life, determine you must Go on. Rise up with the wings of an eagle, and fly into your new dawn.

“He gives strength to the weary, and to him who lacks might He increases power.
Though youths grow weary and tired, and vigorous young men stumble badly,
Yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary.”   Isaiah 40:29-31