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When Uncertainty Prevails

by Dr. Henderson Ward  
11/12/2016 / Christian Living


In times like these, when the world is so full of hatred, strife, and deep anger, and the stress is so oppressive and tangible on all fronts that you can almost cut it with a knife, then it takes more than just holding your nerves for you to remain calm and composed.

The world is experiencing a particularly severe case of uncertainty, and some people would say that is has been going on for some years now, beginning with the financial crisis of 2008. Because globalization has linked the world almost like Siamese twins, the instability in any major country tends to spread and affect the entire planet. This is what contagion is all about.

To all this must be added the shock to the established world order caused by emerging world powers, like China, India, Russia and Brasil for example, and the shift of economic supremacy from the West to the East. These shifts are fluid, and indeterminate, and no one really knows what form they will eventually take; hence the universal uncertainty.

Recently, the turbulence that occurred in a small European country, Greece, sent shock waves through the entire European Union, and then on to the whole world with serious consequences. Even more recently, the British decided by referendum (known as BREXIT) to exit the European Union caused major volatility worldwide that has not subsided, and just in the past few days, the most combative election campaign for president of the United States has ended, with the election of Donald Trump, and this has added further major instability to the mix.

Lest we forget, the world has not recovered from the instabilities generated by the Iraq War of 2003; a war that has spawned other conflicts in the Middle East, like the conflicts in Syria, Yemen and Libya, and has given birth to several militant groups, like the socalled ISIS, that is wrecking havoc across the Middle East and has carried out bombings even in Europe.

Then, there is the national angst where people who work hard and do the right thing seem not to prosper, but to stagnate, and the thieving, criminal rich with friends in high places and ethically challenged lawyers helping them to get away with daylight robbery are doing very well at the public's expense.

All of these things create a riotous climate of uncertainty, an atmosphere that portends bad things to come, a feeling that the gasoline has been thrown far and wide and just waiting for it to ignite. People are on edge, jittery, paranoid, afraid, and there is the sense that we don't know, or don't have the necessary skills, or even the will to solve these problems.

The truth, is that the uncertainty is driving some people to the brink of mass hysteria, to actions that are unwise, to kneejerk reactions and impulses that may feel good, but turn out in the long run to be counterproductive.

It pays great dividends to understand our situation, to realize that however painful, it is not unique, and to put it in proper context.

When Jesus Christ ministered on earth, he had to deal with a lot of uncertainty among his followers. Things were happening that they did not understand, confusion was rife, they were unsure of things, hesitant in their approaches, timid in their commitment, and uneasy as to their place and focus.

It was as if they were overwhelmed with uncertainty, for so much was happening and they were not suitably prepared, and in any case how much can one take and still be rational.

Just look at the situation the disciples had to contend with:

John the Baptist, himself the forerunner of Jesus Christ, the greatest man ever lived according to Jesus (Matthew 11:11), was unsure if Jesus was the Messiah and sent his followers to make enquiries (Luke 7:19-20)

This same John the Baptist was brutally beheaded by a wicked king, even though he had done nothing criminal, and without due process of law (Mark 6:27).

Judas of Galilee, while it was believed he was in the temple, and 3000 of his followers, were slaughtered by Pilate because they refused to acknowledge the Roman government (Acts 5:37) and as reported by Josephus the historian.

The Tower of Siloam, that some say was built over one of the porticoes near the pool in Jerusalem, fell and killed many people, some of whom were good people (Luke 13:4)

There arose an insurrection when Herod the Great died, led by a man named Theudas, who, along with about 400 of his followers, were slaughtered by the authorities (Acts 5:36)

To the inconsistent disciples, many of them thought that Jesus taught strange doctrines, and when he taught that they should eat his flesh and drink his blood (John 6:53), many of them turned away from Jesus permanently (John 6:66)

Add to this, the turmoil caused by hardline Jews, who opposed, and frustrated Jesus at every turn, who sought to stone him on more than one occasion, and the fact that Jesus did not give them earthly wealth and worldy prominence, and the knowledge that he was to leave them soon to return to heaven, and you get a sense of what Jesus' disciples had to contend with day by day.

So what did Jesus do? How did Jesus handle all this uncertainty surrounding his disciples, and grounded them in a manner to enable them to go forth with strength, certainty, and focus, to lay the foundation of the church with Jesus? (Ephesians 2:20)

All through the gospels, Jesus taught to soothe and assure his disciples, for he was well aware of their Jewish temperament, that had to be kept in check and closely monitored.

But on one occasion Jesus sat the disciples down, and gave them the seminal briefing on how they should handle their anxieties, and uncertainty, and he did so with a thoroughness and depth that was both insightful and profoundly moving.

The seminal briefing to which I am referring is John 14:1-31, and the essence that embodies the whole chapter is summed up powerfully in the first six words of this chapter; "Let not your heart be troubled..." (John 14:1)

In times of uncertainty like now, God is saying to all his true followers, that no matter how hopeless things might appear, they are not to let their hearts be troubled.

Let not your heart be troubled. God is saying, and assuring all his followers, that yes, these days are gloomy, and frustrating, and it seems the miasma of uncertainty appears unending, but hold on, for God is with us, and has promised, "...weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning." (Psalm 30:5)

Let not your heart be troubled. God is encouraging you not to give up in despair, not to let your frustrations overwhelm your courage, not to be so overburdened with affliction and sorrows that you are unable to function, and remember that in all this God reminds you, "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV)

Let not your heart be troubled. God wants all his children to be anchored in him, and unchanged by prevailing circumstances, not to allow the pollution of the world to reach our hearts and despoil it, and to be on our guard because we are to, "Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life." (Proverbs 4:23)

Let not your heart be troubled. God wants you to know, that He is the one equipped and able to bear all our burdens, and anxieties, and we are to cast them on him, and let him deal with them for us, and not be sleepless, perturbed and unsettled, as here he plainly tells us, "Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. " (I Peter 5:7)

Let not your heart be troubled. God wants you to realize that your future, yea, your destiny, and that of all those who trust him, is not in the hands of politicians, nor your enemies and opponents, nor even up to happenstance, but in his hands only. On this basis therefore, you are to trust him fully, cease worrying, and be confident that He is able, as long as you, "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Enough said.

Books by this author you may wish to read.

THINGS EVERY CHRISTIAN SHOULD KNOW (e-book)
Volume 1 Five tough facts to be faced
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004YX5NSI

STAND UP TO THE DEVIL (e-book)
Volume 1 You must first identify him
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005BQVLSS

BASTARD: A STORY OF REDEMPTION(e-book fiction)
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B006OF3SD6

ONE MINUTE TO MIDNIGHT ON GOD'S CLOCK (Hard copy)
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002X78D16

ONE MINUTE TO MIDNIGHT ON GOD'S CLOCK (e-book)
http://tatepublishing.com/bookstore/book.php?w=978-1-60799-630-9

Dr. Henderson Ward received his Doctor of Divinity in theology, with distinction, from Masters International School of Divinity, USA, where he is currently a post-doctoral fellow. Dr. Ward's career involved pastoring, evangelism, and teaching. Copyright 2017

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