Seven Suggestions for Living in Uncertain Times

Sunday’s unprecedented, though not unexpected announcement by President Biden that he will not seek reelection sent shock waves through the media and apparently surprised his campaign supporters.

This, of course, comes just a week after former President Trump narrowly escaped an assassination attempt on his life.

Biden’s announcement has turned the 2024 election upside down as Democrats debate who their candidate should be–Vice President Harris or someone else nominated from an open convention.

Around the world, there is chaos.

In the Middle East there is the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas precipitated by the terrorist’s group brutal attack on October 7, 2023. Hamas still has 120 hostages held in captivity, including 8 American citizens. This conflict has given rise to Anti-Semitic expressions and violence toward U.S. Jewish citizens.

War continues to rage in Ukraine with Russia with no signs of an end in sight.

Russia, China, and Iran, who’s said to be close to having nuclear weapons, all pose a threat to world peace.

Here in Canada, as I write this from Welland, Ontario, a recent poll revealed that 70% of Canadians believe their country is “broken.” This corresponds to a similar survey where more than 75% of Americans believe the United States is “on the wrong track.”

Broken. Unpredictable. Chaotic. Tumultuous. War-ravaged. And hurting. All this describes the world we’re living in right now. It gives rise to feelings of uncertainty, anxiety, confusion, and worry.

It’s not a very pretty or positive picture. Yet, in the midst of the chaos, there are answers. Here are seven suggestions for living in uncertain times.

#1 Trust God.

This ancient advice is still appropriate today.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
(Prov. 3:5)

The answers to our problems are not found in politicians, secular strategies, or human wisdom. The Psalmist was right.

Do not put your trust in princes,
Nor in a son of man, in whom there is no help.
(Ps.163:3)

#2 Pray

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:6-7).

Prayer calms the soul. Soothes the spirit. Reassures the mind. And refreshes us spiritually. Even more imortantly, it accesses the throne of God (Heb. 4:15).

#3 Accept Reality

The Preacher observed in Ecclesiastes that everything has it’s time. War and peace. Weeping and laughter. Gaining and losing. Tearing down and building up. Birth and death (Eccl. 3:1-8).

Face the reality of our time. Our country. Our world. And your life.

#4 Focus on what you can control

There’s very little, if anything, I can do to solve political problems, eliminate social injustice, end conflicts, or eradicate poverty.

But I can choose to serve God. Trust Him. Let my light shine. Be a person of integrity.

There is wisdom in the age old serenity prayer. “God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.”

#5 Discipline your thoughts

Paul admonished Christians to think on things that are true. Honorable. Just. Pure. Lovely. Commendable. Excellent. And praise worthy.

While there is a lot that’s wrong in the world, there’s a lot that is right. Cultivate thoughts that edify. Ennoble. Elevate.

Elizabeth Gilbert was right when she wrote, “Your emotions are the slaves to your thoughts, and you are the slave to your emotions.” Thus, control your thoughts, if you want to control your feelings.

#6 Seek support.

Fellowship in the Christian family provides a place where we can “bear one another’s burdens” (Gal. 6:2). “Encourage one another” (1 Thess. 5:11 ). “Care for one another” (1 Cor. 12:25).  “Serve one another” (Gal. 5:13). And “minister to one another”(1 Pet. 4:10).

#7 Keep busy.

In a wicked world, Jesus “went about dong good.” The Bible admonishes us to work. Mind our own business. Be spiritually steadfast. Minister to others. Be engaged in life.

The wise man’s counsel will help us stay focused during troubling, uncertain times, “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might” (Eccl. 9:10).

You can both survive and even thrive in an uncertain world.

There is help. There is hope. There is God.