From Uncertainty To Strength!

Don’t panic. I am with you. There is no reason to fear for I am your God. I’ll give you strength. I‘ll help you. I’ll hold you steady and keep a firm grip on you. Isaiah 41:10 from The Message

This past week has been a football fan’s dream! Not only, did we have some exciting college games, but the pro games as well. If you know us, you know that this house yells, “Go Dawgs,” but, ironically, we find that these days, the majority of our family now yells, “Hotty Toddy!”

The University of Mississippi football team has weathered a lot this year, and most folks can’t help but admire the strength they have shown during their uncertain times. The players, coaches, and fans were caught off guard when their head coach accepted another position right before football playoffs.

The good news is that this team became an example of how we can turn uncertainty into strength. Rather than throw in the towel, the players bonded togehter, the other coaches stayed to see the team through the rest of their exciting season, and the fans have shown enormous support.

Although their season ended with the close loss to Miami, they have remained strong, committed, and supportive of each other. The quarterback, Trinidad Chambliss, is a strong Christian, and he stated “As Christians, this is how we are called to be, not just in the victories, but in the defeats. It’s not just about putting our arms around each other, it’s also about allowing someone to give us that support without flinching.” It’s about turning the uncertainties in life into strength.

It is impossible to go through life without uncertainties. When we are uncertain about something, we aren’t confident or sure of it. These can be things that are undecided, unknown, or doubtful in some way. If we aren’t certain, it’s usually an uncertainty.

We’ve all been in situations akin to the Ole Miss Rebels. There’s the uncertainty of the consequences of a bad choice, the uncertainty of a j0b loss or financial pressures, the uncertainty of why bad things happen to good people, the uncertainty of a dilemma we didn’t plan, the uncertainty of planning care for a loved one, or the uncertainty of not having anyone you can lean on, just to name a few.

These uncertainties in life sometimes allow us to forget our God given strengths and just say, “I’m done!’ The best news is that God replies to us, “Good, now I can begin.” He begins by offering reassurance, His presence and strength, and HIs support during times of fear and adversity.

In the above verse from Isaiah, God promises five things to those who face uncertainties. First, He says I am with you, and that promise is His personal, constant presence removing the need to fear loneliness or abandonment.

Next, He says, I am your God, and that promise emphasizes a special covenant or relationship which assures us of His personal care and ownership.

His third promise says, I will strengthen you. God promises to provide us with an inner fortitude and courage, and the ability to overcome difficulties and prevail.

He says, I will help you. He promises divine assistance and intervention to help His people at their point of greatest need.

Finally, He promises to uphold us with His righteous right hand. God is reminding us that He offers us powerful, just, and faithful support by holding us up and not allowing us to fall.

In this game of life as in the Ole Miss situation, there are victories and losses, ups and downs, good times and bad, and times to celebrate and times to mourn. Rather than leaving the field after the loss, the team stood shoulder to shoulder as their coach praised them all for their resolve, loyalty, accountability, pride and identity. A time that began with uncertainty began a time of strength. It can be that way for us as well.

The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent. There will always be trials and tribulations in life, but God will carry you through every storm in your life and give you strength to make it. copied