Navigating through the unknowns can be scary and a lot of times feels lonely. It’s this place where everything seems at full speed and you can’t catch a glimpse of anything that’s coming. The unknowns are where your faith and trust are put to the test!
And while these moments can seem lonely, you aren’t alone.
So let’s talk about navigating through the unknowns.
For reference I will be talking about the 30 years the Israelites spent in the wilderness before arriving at the Promise land.
The Israelites were in a place of abuse, a place where they could not live freely. So God sent Moses to ask that Pharaoh would let God’s people go. Once Pharaoh refused God sent plagues. Resulting in the Israelites being freed.
In order for them to be free, to live in the promises of God, they had to leave Egypt. Meaning, they had to let go of what they knew. And God used Moses to lead them to the Promise Land. That journey was their unknown. God didn’t give them a map, no ETA. They had two options, follow or stay. Along the way, we read so many accounts of the Israelites complaining and questioning God. The Israelites even went as far as to worship a golden calf instead of the God that delivered them from captivity!
The journey that should have taken 11 days took them 30 years.
So we ask why?
To the naked eye, it’s seen as just a long hard journey. But to the spiritual eye, it’s seen as a purpose. God had a purpose for this journey. He wanted to build a relationship with his people. He wanted to see where their hearts lay. In him or in their circumstances. And the Israelites complained about every single thing. Causing their journey to prolong because before they could dwell in God’s promises first they needed to have faith and trust in him that could not be shaken.
Or in other words, they needed to take their eyes off of their circumstances and fix their eyes on him.
Because people who live in ungratefulness can not live in God’s greatness!
They even began to start believing that it would have been better if they had stayed in Egypt. To stay in a place they once hated, a place God wanted to bring them off and into better! So God continues to test his people. And as time goes by, those who stayed in the same mind did not make it. Because no matter how much God wanted each and every person, their hearts have to want him just as much.
So how does their story teach us to navigate through our unknowns?
Navigating Through The Unknowns
1: Follow
The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.
Deuteronomy 31:8
The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.
Psalms 32:8
Because the Israelites did not truly follow God with their hearts, their journey was delayed and some fell away. Rather than giving their hearts to him, they allowed it to question and dwell in familiarity; complacency.
A lot of times the hardest part of following is letting go. Because in order to follow God we have to leave ourselves. We have to let go of things that we are used to, but God knows we no longer need. Letting go of those things to follow him will result in something so much greater!
2: Trust
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.”
Proverbs 3:5-6
“Delight yourself in the LORD,
and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Commit your way to the LORD;
trust in him, and he will act.”
Psalm 37:4-5
Since the Israelites struggled to truly follow they then struggled to fully trust.
Obviously, results don’t happen overnight but it can take longer than necessary.
How?
Think of it like this, when we enjoy something the time goes by faster.
But when we don’t, it goes by much slower.
Why?
Because of our mindset.
Obviously, God doesn’t expect you to enjoy the unknown but what he does desire is trust.
The more you sit in anger, doubt, sadness, and the more you complain the longer it will feel.
But when you learn to just trust in God no matter what does or doesn’t happen, trust that he is there, the greater rejoice there is.
3: Rejoice
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thess. 5:16-18
I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
Psalms 34:1
Once they learned and chose to follow and trust God in the wilderness they reach the promised land, God’s promise.
That trust you put in God, allows you and him to grow closer. And even though the seasons of unknowns are never easy, there is always growth and promises to wait on the other side.
It’s easy to rejoice once you’ve reached the mountain top but rejoicing in the valley is a greater purpose.
Because it’s not just praise but a declaration that says,
“ No matter my circumstances I will always sing your praise.”
Life is a constant ebb and flow. Highs and lows. Gains and losses. And God is aware. He is always there! But we have a responsibility as his people. We have to choose through the lows and losses to follow and trust God. And even though navigating through the unknowns is hard, learning to trust through the unknown will result in rejoicing in God’s promise!
Practical Ways To Help You Navigate Through The Unknowns
1: Submerge yourself in the Word of God
2: Walk-in Prayer
3: Listen to encouraging things
4: Gather with like-minded people
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