Seven-Day Practical Faith Blog: Taking Uncertainty One Step at a Time

Imagine a GPS directing you on a complicated route to a destination you've never visited. You're curious about where you're going, but right now, you're flooded with details as you drive. The GPS helps with navigation, telling you one step at a time how to reach your target stop.

This metaphor works for how God directs us through life. As much as we want to know where we are going, if we were presented all the twists and turns of navigation at once, it would be too much. We need to take one step at a time to reach our destination.

I've considered uncertainty lately as I have been going through a period of confusion, frustration, and ambiguity. I'm inclined to push forward and whip through uncertainty as quickly as possible. I feel like God is telling me to slow down, to not make hasty decisions, and to let things unfold one day at a time - certainly opposite of my hard-charging nature.

I recorded a podcast episode this week with my guest, Anne Wooten, and we talked about fear and uncertainty as we encounter life. Wooten pointed out how our issues of pride and control can overtake our obedience, so we must firmly choose obedience when we're uncertain.

In my fear, I want God to give me a clear answer on a flashing billboard. Or at least, through a GPS that shows me the whole route at once. Just give me the roadmap, Lord, and I'll follow it!

Or would I? How would my pride and control get in the way? Would I try to change the path or even the destination? What shortcuts would I take? Where would those shortcuts land me?

Perhaps God's Positioning Service has me right where I'm supposed to be. Maybe I'll soon learn exactly what lane will take me to the next turn on the route.

How about you? Or you in an uncertain, fearful position? How will you emerge from it? What techniques will help you through this time? Please post your ideas in the comments.

I should read my own book. My first book, "The Next Thing: A Christian Model for Dealing with Crisis in Personal Life", presented a four-part model for addressing a crisis, all built around the concept of taking a crisis one step at a time. If you're interested, please check out the Books & Videos to learn more about and purchase "The Next Thing."