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Sometimes there are days when the weight of the unknown feels so heavy. It might be the bills that are due, the situation, the uncertainty of our job, or the direction to take in the next chapter of our lives. We try to stay calm, to plan, to prepare…but we still have that question in our minds: What if it doesn’t work out?

You’re not alone if you’ve ever found yourself lying awake at night, worrying about bills, jobs, or what tomorrow will bring. We’ve all faced times where we can’t see the next step clearly, we’re unsure of which direction to take, and what the outcome will be. But there is one thing we do know during uncertainty, and this holds us when everything else feels unsteady:
We can’t see the full picture — but God can.

God’s View is Bigger and Better Than Ours

Going through life, sometimes it feels like we’re piecing together a puzzle without the picture on the box. We might get small glimpses, maybe a job opportunity, or a door that we thought was open suddenly closed. We really can’t see how it all fits together. These are the times when we rely on faith as our guide.

God knows the outcome; He sees the picture while we’re still holding a handful of puzzle pieces. He knows all that’s not visible to us, and He’s already preparing the outcome that will bless us.

We’ve heard or read the scripture:

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord. (Isaiah 55:8)

That verse should help to encourage us and help to free us from worry. It lets us know that we don’t have to figure it all out. We can have peace even when we don’t know every detail, because we put our trust in God, who does.

We know that God’s view is bigger and better than ours. So, we don’t have to panic over the unknown. Our faith doesn’t give us control…but it gives us confidence that our God is in control.

Taking Faithful Steps

When we think about it, whether it’s fear or faith, they both ask us to believe in something we can’t see — the difference is, fear believes in failure; faith believes in God.

We have to choose to take faithful steps, even when we can’t see the full road ahead; we have to trust in God’s timing. By taking faithful steps, we free ourselves from anxiety as we put our trust in God.

Think about the steps you’re taking, like applying for a job even though you’re unsure of the outcome. Maybe you’re tithing or faithfully budgeting when your bank account feels paper-thin. Or, maybe it’s choosing to pray instead of panic when your expectations aren’t met.

These small steps are steps of faith; by doing this, we’re saying, “Lord, I trust You more than I trust my fears.”

Remember Peter when he stepped out of the boat and walked on water toward Jesus? The minute he took his eyes off Christ and looked at the waves, he began to sink…it wasn’t because the water changed, it was because his focus did. When we are afraid, we’re just thinking about what might go wrong, but our faith looks at who is standing in front of us.

We have to practice choosing faith over fear. And when we find that peace, it doesn’t always mean the problem is solved, but it does mean that we stop trying to solve it ourselves.

Choosing Promises Over Fear

We’ve all experienced anxiety, and when we do, it’s easy to replay our fears over and over again. That’s when we have to remember God’s promises:

  • “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Deuteronomy 31:6)

  • “And my God will supply every need of yours according to His riches in glory.” (Philippians 4:19)

  • “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You.” (Isaiah 26:3)

When we replace our fears with promises, it allows us to have hope again. It’s how we take God’s word from something we read to something we live.

Confidence in the Journey Ahead

Just because we have faith, it doesn’t mean that we are pretending everything’s fine, but it shows we believe that everything is in God’s hands. So, even when we don’t know what’s next, we’re still able to move forward, and we’re still able to have the assurance that our steps of obedience are part of His plan.

Our confidence doesn’t come from knowing every answer; it comes from knowing that God leads us.

So, we might not see the full picture yet — but God does.
We might not feel strong enough — but His strength is made perfect in weakness.
And, we might not understand the “why” — but He’s already working it together for good.

So today, and going forward, we can take small, faithful steps. We can take a deep breath, we can pray, and we can remember that peace doesn’t mean we know what’s coming next, but it does mean that we trust that God does.

So, as you reflect on this, remember when life feels uncertain, God’s goodness is always clear. We have to trust His timing and hold on to His promises. We take our next step and find peace, knowing that the author of our story already sees the completion.