The Uncertainty Zone
By Cindi McMenamin
Bible Reading
“You have encircled me behind and in front,
And placed Your hand upon me.” (Psalm 139:5 NASB)
Are you struggling with uncertainty? Are you wishing you had a clear plan for whatever is weighing on you today?
One morning, as I was waiting for the results of a biopsy, I found myself telling God that I was again in the uncertainty zone. It was then that God gently reminded me that every single day we are in the uncertainty zone. Most things are uncertain to us. But nothing is uncertain to God.
During the times that you and I think we have it all under control, we are just living the illusion that we do. Ultimately, God knows and controls our future. We don’t have to know exactly what’s going on today, what will happen tomorrow, and where we’ll be in six months, because our heavenly Father already knows and is already working on our behalf.
One evening, as I was still dealing with the uncertainty of a possibly cancerous tumor in my body, I expressed my disappointment to my husband that I hadn’t trusted God with the surgery risks and moved forward with having the mass removed six months earlier. It was then that my 86-year-old dad interrupted our conversation with a phone call.
“Cindi, how are you feeling?” he asked. My heart leaped at the sound of his voice.
“Hi Dad. I’m so glad you called. I’m doing okay. Still no surgery date. But I’m so glad to hear from you. I absolutely love it when you call.”
“Well, Cindi, I was just thinking about you and wanted you to know another one of my Bible study groups is praying for you. Old Dad is rallying the prayer troops for you.”
I told my dad: “I’m almost happy I have this uncertain situation now because I get to hear from you so often.”
I thanked him for calling, told him I loved him, and put down the phone.
“That’s why God didn’t let me get this mass removed as soon as it was discovered” I said to my husband with tears in my eyes. “If I’d rushed into surgery and then moved on with life, I’d be missing these precious calls from my dad, almost weekly at a time when people keep telling me he is suffering from memory loss.
God knew that more than needing an immediate surgery, and the quick assurance that I was okay, I needed those priceless phone calls with my dad, who is nearing the end of his life. God, once again, arranged these special moments in which my earthly father called to let me know he cared about me, so I’d realize my heavenly Father cared about me even more.
As much of a comfort as it was for me to hear from my dad during my time of uncertainty, how much more of a comfort to know my heavenly Daddy, who is the Great Physician and Gentle Healer, cares about me as well. And He is the Only One who can truly take care of me and my health.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
God knows what He’s doing through your disappointments and diagnoses too. Can you trust that He is weaving together the details of your life so you will perhaps see a side of Him you haven’t seen before, and so you can be convinced of His love and all-knowing goodness at a whole new level?
Does God know what’s best for you? Absolutely. Does He have a plan when your situation appears to drag on for months? You bet. Can He be trusted that His best for you is far better than what you think is best for you? Without a doubt.
Trust your heavenly Father with what He knows. And trust Him with whom He loves—you.
Father God, thank You that You know all about what is best for Your children, not just physically and emotionally, but spiritually and eternally, as well. Help us to trust You with every uncertainty we face, confident that nothing is uncertain to You.
Further Reading:
Psalm 46:1-3
For more on getting to know this God who loves you, see Cindi McMenamin’s book, The New Loneliness.
Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/Melpomenem
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