Choosing To Trust God When Nothing Feels Certain
It's an active choice and it is not an easy one for someone who craves answers.
If you have spent any time talking to me about the future and my plans, you would notice that I tend to stress out a lot. I stress over every detail no matter how small. I concern myself with questions about what I will do next, what next semester will look like and what life will be like after graduation. But the thing is, I am now facing one of the biggest unexpected moments of change in my life and I am not stressing out. I am actively choosing to trust God and let go of control in the time of major change.
I am in the middle of a lot of changes and normally that would have me in panic mode especially because I did not see them coming in advance. This spring is my last time at a job I truly love. The store itself is closing, so it is a definite end to that experience. Instead of panicking about what comes next, I am looking back with gratefulness. My first job experience has set majorly high expectations. It pushed me to be better, to train more, to learn how to set aside personal issues for the sake of ministry, and most of all it created a lot of relationships I value. Yes, I am in the middle of seeking another job. But I am not panicking. God brought me to the job and He has plans for what comes next. I trust in that.
This summer I am leaving on my own for a summer job that is roughly an eight-hour plane ride away from my family. There is a lot of uncertainties and that is the perfect place for worry and stress to grow. But instead, I am trusting God has plans for this summer and they will be worth it.
Another big change is my living situation, my roommates are graduating which leaves me with another major change of whom I will live with. On top of that two of my best friends are leaving this summer for different states and different countries. I know that next semester, senior year, I am about to be hours away from the two people I spent the most time with. Speaking of fall, it is my senior. I will begin the last year of my time at Mississippi State University which will be another major change in my life. Admittedly, I did see that change coming in advance.
But the thing is trusting in God is not a random idea, it is Biblical. It should be our first choice in the midst of change.
"Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all, So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but what is unseen since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
"For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11.
Jesus also called people to experience change and to experience with faith and belief in God's plans. We see it when it called the disciples to follow Him and when He changed lives and towns for the better (but change can still be nerve-wracking even if it is good).
A lot is about to change in my life and it is a change that I cannot undo. But instead of giving into anxiety, I am trusting God.
