It’s been the strangest thing really, trying to prepare for something you could never really be prepared for. You can deep clean, buy everything you need, stock up on essentials and meal prep to make everything as easy and smooth as is within your control. But some things are simply out of your control, period. Our baby’s due date is this Friday: two days away. But even that is ambiguous at this point, no matter how many extremely sure opinions I receive about the timing of his coming.
As much as we’ve tried to prepare our home and hearts for this little boy, I could never be “ready” for what is about to happen. The reality is that this is something I’ve never done before and something my heart has yet to experience.
In all of the uncertainty, I can at least know one thing is sure. “In putting everything in subjection to him [Jesus], he left nothing outside his control” (Hebrews 2:8). There is nothing outside of the control and care of my God. This includes me, my unborn child, his delivery, our transition home– everything!
With this being the case, I can take very seriously verses like: “For those who love God all things work together for good” (Romans 8:28). I can find rest in promises like, “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10). That makes this seriously ambiguous season surprisingly tolerable!
I kid, but this has been my “life verse” lately because it’s so true! “Concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only” (Matthew 24:36). One thing I can be certain of is he’s coming, and the Father has it all under control! We’ve done all we can do, and now we wait.
If you find yourself in a similar situation today, I can encourage you with two things. Be faithful. Follow through with all you’ve been asked to do. Do everything within your power to prepare for the season you know God is calling you into. And secondly, wait with assured hope in the sovereign care of a very good Father who will indeed see you through. There is a certain uncertainty available to God’s people today regardless of what each of us face.
There is a lot I could be worried about and scared of right now, but I’m choosing peaceful trust. There really is no other way for the people of God in the midst of unknown. It can be enough for us to know he’s in control, if we’ll let it. The Lord has said, “In quietness and in trust shall be your strength” (Isaiah 30:15). And I am banking on that word today. Will you join me?
Practical Help:
If you are dealing with current anxiety over future unknowns, take some time to meditate on these verses:
“In his hand is the life of every living thing and the breath of all mankind.” –Job 12:10
“Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh. Is anything too hard for me?” –Jeremiah 32:27
“And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you.” –Psalm 9:10
"Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father.” –Matthew 10:29
“The Lord of hosts has sworn: ‘As I have planned, so shall it be, and as I have purposed, so shall it stand.’” –Isaiah 14:24
By Rachel Denison
