Finding Certainty During Uncertainty
” do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.“
Philippians 4:6-7
Gather with Grace has been the last thing on my mind the past several weeks. In addition to COVID-19, life has presented my family with a bit of a challenge. About the time the world pandemic occurred, my Mom developed symptoms similar to those of coronavirus. Unsure of the illness, we all kept our distance until several days after the symptoms had subsided.
To make a long story short, from March 13th to April 26th, Mom made several visits to the doctor and the Emergency Room for her unknown illness as well as for extreme pain in her left leg and hip. On April 26th, she was hospitalized for acute pain and abnormal lab work. For the next five days, as she lay in the hospital alone, my Dad, sisters, and I suddenly found ourselves in an unsettled storm. With no definite diagnosis, Mom was released and given a treatment plan of two weeks bed rest to follow with a series of injections to alleviate the pain. Fear flooded our bewildered minds as to how someone could go from laboring hours in her flower gardens to being on bed rest, needing full-time care.
I wanted Mom’s pain to stop. I wanted her healed, and that’s how I prayed. I would pray Scripture while crying out to God to heal her. And not only was I praying, but many other prayer warriors joined in our cry.
During this unsettled time in the world and my life, a group of ladies at church began a new Bible Study, Fearless, by The Barrick’s. One afternoon I was on the porch enjoying the fantastic weather, reading through the first chapter, and preparing for our discussion for later in the week. As I turned the page, the word peace seemed to jump off the page at me. There in the middle of the page, a sizeable scripted print was Philippians 4:6-7, “do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” The study stated that this verse is God’s cure for fear and anxiety. I gently put the study down. I looked up into the peaceful blue-sky bursting with fluffy cotton clouds to discuss this verse with God. I did not have peace. I did not understand how I was to have peace while my Mom was suffering in severe pain. I know what God’s Word tells me, and I know His promises are true. So, what was I missing? While pondering, in a silent voice as loud as thunder, God said: “Trust Me.” That is what I was missing, Trust. Trusting my Creator and faithfully believing His purpose for this storm.
I had gotten real with God about our family’s situation. Was I mad at God? No, but I wanted the peace that surpassed all understanding. God knew the trial, the hurt, and even the doubt that lingered in our jaded minds. He also knew that I was in a place of distrusting who He is. My heart was troubled, and I was afraid, which is the complete opposite of John 14:27. Yet He still spoke to me, and He filled me with the peace that only He can provide.
In this world, we will have times of trials, and we will be filled with fear and doubt, just as many of us are experiencing now. These are unprecedented times of uncertainty. But what if our lives were lived in such a way that the only CERTAINTY, we have was what we find in Jesus? Our trust, faith, and peace are not dependent upon our circumstances. They are a daily choice. Because if you are like me in the middle of the COVID pandemic, life continues to happen amongst many changes. But God is the foundation of certainty when everything seems unclear. God and His plan for humanity remain unchanged.
God is faithful, and His word is true. While I was pouring my peaceless heart out to God, that was just me trying to find peace in my own strength. The loud-as-thunder “Trust Me” was Him and His faithfulness providing reassurance. I was allowing the voice of fear to dictate to me. I was allowing my sense of peace to ride a roller coaster based on my fears during this storm. I do not have the power to sustain a calming peace within my heart and soul, but when I cry out to God in my weakness, I am filled with His strength. When I choose His way, I have what is needed to weather any storm.
Thankfully my Mom is getting better every day. Even though this has been a challenging trial, I’ve seen God’s hand at work. I will trust God, His plan, and cling to His promises. The voice of God is trustworthy.
