Devotionals for the Heart: What God wants us to do when we are uncertain

Walking by Faith During Seasons of Uncertainty
A devotional by Sarah Cole

“By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise.”

—Hebrews 11:8-9 (NIV)

Fall has always been my favorite season.

Colorful leaves, cooler weather, and pumpkin spice lattes are a welcome change from the heat and humidity. I find nothing more satisfying than the sound of acorns under my feet as I walk through the woods.

Change is inevitable for us spiritually as well. God doesn’t want us to remain stagnant, so He takes us through seasons designed to prune us, promote us, and refine us. Not all seasons feel good, especially when God pulls us away from relationships, habits, and emotional attachments that can't go where He's taking us. When the landscape of your life feels unfamiliar and unsettling, God uses this divine disruption to move you forward.

We’ve all faced seasons of uncertainty when God’s plan seemed hidden. We question why prayers are still unanswered or when things will turn around. But God knows our faith won’t grow if He lays out the entire roadmap.

Imagine how Abraham felt when God called him to leave the comforts of home for a land God promised Abraham would inherit. Without knowing what to expect, let alone the roadmap to get there, Abraham stepped out in faith because he trusted God to keep His promise.

God didn’t expect Abraham to figure out how to reach the Promised Land, but to believe that He already did. Abraham’s faith in the midst of uncertainty reminds us that when everything feels chaotic and uncertain, we aren’t falling apart—we’re falling into place—as God positions us for the promise we’ve been praying for.

True faith isn’t about knowing how our story unfolds but trusting the One (God) who does. Every time we choose to walk by faith and release our grip on the outcome, we’re allowing Him to guide our steps, even when it’s uncomfortable.

God doesn’t keep us in the dark to punish us. He is preparing us for the future that He’s already planned for us. God knows that if He told us too much, we would continue to be burdened with anxiety and addicted to control and clarity.

When my lab tests showed some abnormalities last month, my doctor sent me to a hematologist as a precaution. The moment I realized his office was located at the cancer center, I immediately feared the worst. Later that evening, despite what my mind was telling me, the Lord reassured me I would get a clean bill of health. This experience taught me that instead of trusting my emotions, I must trust God’s voice and the promises He’s spoken over my life.

In the midst of uncertainty, we don’t have to be afraid of the dark, because the same God who led Abraham through the desert to the Promised Land in the Bible story is leading us too in our modern era. When we reach the destination He’s planned for us, we will look back and realize that every step He asked us to take was worth it.

Let’s Pray:

Dear Heavenly Father,

When I’m faced with uncertainty and my heart is overwhelmed with fear, help me remember to resist the urge to figure everything out myself. Because You are Sovereign, I don’t have to fear what happens next because You go before me, and Your plans for me are always good. I know You are with me, so I will choose faith over fear and prayer over panic as I trust You to take me safely to my next destination.

In Jesus’s name, I pray.

Amen.

Song of Reflection #1: “Just Be Held” by Casting Crowns. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “Walk by Faith” by Jeremy Camp. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #3: “Everything Falls” by Fee. Listen to it here.

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Author Bio:

Sarah Cole’s passion to follow Jesus Christ is woven throughout her writing. She loves using words to encourage women to embrace their identity in Christ so they can experience victory in every area of their life. 

In 2024, Sarah was a featured speaker in the 28-Day Devotional Challenge. She also launched her new Substack newsletter, "A Peaceful Pace", which inspires her readers to let Jesus Christ set their pace in a world that values speed at all costs.

Sarah’s short stories have appeared in the St. Paul Almanac, and Mysterious Ways by Guideposts. Her latest short story is featured in a new book published by Guideposts, titled Too Amazing For Coincidence.

Her devotionals have appeared in David C. Cook’s The Quiet Hour and Devotions, The Secret Place by Judson Press, and Pray a Word a Day by Guideposts.

Sarah is a dog sitter who lives in Minneapolis with her dachshund Frank. Her hobbies include cooking and vacationing each year on the Gulf Coast of Florida.

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Connect with Sarah:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sarah.cole.52