In times of uncertainty, claim and meditate on what you know is true.
We, as individuals, will have seasons of life that are uncertain, and we, as a society, will have times that are uncertain. With so much turmoil and upheaval in the wave of the COVID pandemic, racial reckoning, political divisiveness, and global unrest, it can be expected that we feel unmoored. The ground beneath us feels shaky at times. In our own lives, we face times of uncertainty as we ask ourselves, Will this pain ever end? Will I always be this lonely? How will I make it financially, emotionally, and physically? What is true and real?
In these seasons of life, we need to think about what is certain. For me, when I feel mentally overwhelmed and emotionally untethered, I sometimes get a pen and paper and start writing down things I am uncertain of and things I know to be true. The writer of Lamentations had a similar practice, recorded in Lamentations 3:21, when he said, “this I call to mind and therefore I have hope” and then claimed truths he knew about God’s character and ways (NIV).
I remember my affliction and my wandering,
the bitterness and the gall.
I well remember them,
and my soul is downcast within me.
Yet this I call to mind
and therefore I have hope:
Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion;
therefore I will wait for him.”
The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him,
to the one who seeks him;
it is good to wait quietly
for the salvation of the Lord.
Lamentations 3:19-26 (NIV)
In this passage, he preached to his downcast soul the reminders that God is loving, compassionate, faithful, his portion, trustworthy, and a Savior. We can claim this too.
Another practice of claiming truth and actively setting our minds on things above is to follow Paul’s instructions in Philippians 4:8-9.
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
Sometimes when my mind is full of anxious thoughts, anticipating challenges, spinning or spiraling, I ground myself with this exercise. Write these words down: true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy. I then brainstorm things that fit into these categories in my life, in my upcoming day, and in my thoughts, and I write those down. I use this as both a litmus test to see where my thoughts truly are and as a resource to draw from to put into practice! Paul said the result of this is that God’s peace will be with us. This is not legalism; this is a pathway to peace!
A song that our friend Matt Merker wrote during a painful, uncertain time in his life is a comforting reminder that God will hold us fast. There are deliberate actions we can take: calling to mind the truths we know of God; seeking Him; setting our minds on excellent and praiseworthy things. In addition to our efforts, we are invited to rest in God’s loving, strong, compassionate, arms, knowing that He holds us.
He Will Hold Me Fast
When I fear my faith will fail,
Christ will hold me fast;
When the tempter would prevail,
He will hold me fast.
I could never keep my hold
Through life’s fearful path;
For my love is often cold;
He must hold me fast.
He will hold me fast,
He will hold me fast;
For my Savior loves me so,
He will hold me fast.
Those He saves are His delight,
Christ will hold me fast;
Precious in His holy sight,
He will hold me fast.
He’ll not let my soul be lost;
His promises shall last;
Bought by Him at such a cost,
He will hold me fast.
For my life He bled and died,
Christ will hold me fast;
Justice has been satisfied,
He will hold me fast.
Raised with Him to endless life,
He will hold me fast
Till our faith is turned to sight,
When he comes at last!1
In times of uncertainty, we can be sure of God’s faithful promises. May we set our thoughts on these, clinging to Him and encouraging each other.
Julie Hunt is an Associate Professor of Social Work and Director of Field Education at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee. She is wife to Dave Hunt, a worship director and wood worker, and mother to a college aged son and two teenaged daughters. She also enjoys walking, baking, reading, food blogging, thrifting, and enjoying time with friends.
1. Song lyrics (C) 2013 Matthew Merker Music and Getty Music Publishing, quoted with permission. Visit https://store.gettymusic.com/song/he-will-hold-me-fast/ for song information.