I’ve found that when God asks me to do something where the outcome is uncertain, fear has a way of creeping in. Fear of the unknown can create all kinds of symptoms. For me, it creates procrastination while I try to see if I can guarantee the outcome. For others, it creates paralysis through analysis. Some people become very controlling of the things they can control in hopes of being able to control the outcome. What does uncertainty produce in you? There are some who see the uncertainty and instead of giving into fear, they trust God for the outcome and step out in faith. I think we would all love for that to be our go to response.
In Matthew 14:22, Jesus put the disciples in a boat to go ahead of Him across the Sea of Galilee. Along the way, the faced a storm that made their future uncertain. The rain was coming down, the waves were rocking the boat and these seasoned fishermen let fear take over even though they were doing what Jesus asked them to do. After several hours, they looked up to see Jesus walking on the water towards them telling them not to be afraid. Peter replied to Him, “Lord, if it is [really] You, command me to come to You on the water” (AMP). The Lord told him to get out as everyone else stayed in the boat. They all had the opportunity to walk on water, but only one stepped out despite their fear and trusted Jesus.
Psalm 56:3 says, “When I am afraid, I will put my trust and faith in You.” Where do you put your trust when you are afraid? Is it in routines, in what you know or what you can see? Peter and David trusted God over what their fear was telling them. David was in a desperate place when he penned these words. He had been captured by the enemy who knew who he was. Instead of giving into fear of an unknown future, he trusted the character of God and placed his faith their. We all have a choice where we place our faith in times of crisis, fear and uncertainty. Instead of choosing to let fear control our behavior, choose to trust an unknown future to the God you know you can trust. Put your faith in Him, step out of the boat of the familiar and step out in faith. Trust God even in uncertainty.
Photo by Google Gemini
Devotions by Chris Hendrix 