Remain Confident
Fear is common, especially in times like the past few weeks. It’s hard not to feel it, but if I’m not careful, fear can cause me to spiral into a cycle of anxiety and apprehension. Even for the most mature believer, the uncertainty of situations we can’t control and the weight of the unknowing can overwhelm our hearts and leave us wondering, “what’s next?” We look around the world right now and worry is prevalent and shared by many. It’s unsettling, but I can’t think of a better time for us to walk in the confidence of God’s reliability and to trust His goodness in our lives.
Over the past few weeks, I’ve found myself reciting and declaring Psalm 27:13 – I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. It’s difficult to say that and not feel the peace that comes with it and an invitation for unwavering trust. The humanness in us craves clarity, especially right now when so many things are up in the air – health, finances, job security. But fear of the unknown destroys the childlike trust in the Father’s active goodness in our lives. I’ve been hearing the quiet, reassuring voice from the Holy Spirit say, “Remain confident.”
The past month has pushed many of us out of our comfort zones, forced us to slow down, and given way to feelings of extreme instability. It’s difficult to not sink into the fear of the moment, and for most, it would be expected. But I’m challenged to meet the moment with the assurance of the abiding presence of Christ. His perfect love casts out all fear. By elevating truth over facts, I am confident that we can trust that He is at work in the desert of this present moment.
Trust is hard and unwavering trust often demands a heroic degree of courage. But trust positions us to see God rightly. It positions our hearts to breathe in joy and exhale disappointment, to breathe in peace and to exhale confusion. Trust settles our hearts in the unwavering love of God. It may not automatically dispel the chaos or vanquish all uncertainties. Still, against insurmountable obstacles and without a clue as to the outcome, the trusting heart says, "Without reservation, I surrender my heart to you, because you are my loving Father."
Trust is the ultimate act of confidence in God.
One of my favorite quotes is from a psychiatrist and theologian, Gerald May. He says, “I know that God is loving and that God's love is trustworthy. I know this directly through the experience of my life. There have been plenty of times of doubt, especially when I used to believe that trusting God's goodness meant I would not be hurt. But having been hurt quite a bit, I know God's goodness goes deeper than all pleasure and pain – it embraces them both."
I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. His goodness is at work even when we can’t see it. Especially in this very moment. The essence of faith in God begins by trusting God, and we can be assured that His goodness not only embraces the good and the bad - it brings meaning to both.
I don’t know what the rest of 2020 looks like – it’s already been a doozy! But I know that if I am radically loved by God, there’s no valley, desert, low point, place of confusion, disappointment, misunderstanding, anxious thought, doubt, or question that can shake my trust in Him.
He is good. Even now. Remain Confident.