Dealing with Uncertainties
Psalm 71:1
“In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust: let me never be put to confusion.”
Life is full of uncertainties. It doesn’t matter how well you plan; you are going to find times when you have to deal with uncertainties. The uncertainties may be
the health issues with a loved one who is waiting on the test from a doctor. The uncertainty may be waiting on a place of employment about calling you back with their decision as to whether or not to hire you. Your uncertainty may be with your parent’s marriage and the wonder as to whether they are going to stay together or not. Uncertainties are going to come in life.
One of the hardest things about uncertainties is that we are not in control. As humans, we love to be in control of what is going on. Worry tends to consume our lives when we can’t do anything about what is happening or what is going to happen. The verse above says, “…let me never be put to confusion.” The word “confusion” means uncertainty. The psalmist is showing the believer what they need to do when they are living in an uncertain season of life. Let me point out what the psalmist said about dealing with uncertainties.
First, don’t panic! Realize that Satan and sin thrive in times of uncertainty. You will always make bad decisions when you panic. Panic has a way of trying to force a person to make an immediate decision, which is the worst thing to do. When times of uncertainty arise, the best thing you could do is to wait on making decisions until you get through the panic moment. You will find yourself making panic decisions instead of faith decisions if you let panic dictate your decisions.
Second, trust God. The psalmist said that He put his trust in the LORD. You may not know what tomorrow holds, but the LORD does. The reason you are uncertain is because you don’t know what tomorrow holds; so, why not trust the One who holds your tomorrow? The LORD has never left you in the past times of uncertainty, and He won’t abandon you in your present uncertainty. Trust that the LORD is in control. Trust that the LORD knows what He is doing in your life. Trust that the LORD cares for your uncertain situation.
Third, put your hope in the LORD. The reason the psalmist could trust God was because he put his “hope” in God. Hope is optimistic. You will never make it through uncertainties the right way by being negative. You need to be optimistic about your situation that it is not the end of the world. An optimistic attitude has a way of calming your mind and spirit in times of uncertainty.
Fourth, sing the praises of God. Verse 8 says, “Let my mouth be filled with thy praise and with thy honour all the day.” When you are optimistic, you will find it easy to sing the praises of the LORD, which will lift your spirit. Having a song in the heart in uncertain times takes your mind off the situation that is causing the uncertainty. There are many hymns and spiritual songs that you could sing that will lift your spirit in uncertain times. Instead of complaining and worrying about the uncertainties of life, you ought to sing the praises of God.
Fifth, don’t give up. The psalmist said in verse 14, “But I will hope continually…” Get your mind off the uncertainty and tell others about the LORD. You will find that your hope will never die if you keep telling people about the LORD in your times of uncertainty.
