5 Ways To Deal With Uncertainty

by Raymund Tamayo

Life is full of uncertainties. It's a fact, we cannot deny it.

We are never going to know what will happen in the future. 

We may have accurate gut instincts to prepare for it, which is a gift. But to see the exact picture of the future? Nah, it won't happen.

It is natural for people to get anxious when they realize their limited level of control. However, we can only exercise faith, courage, humility, and optimism because of this limit.

Because of this limit, we realize that we need God. That we are not the boss of our lives. 

Come to think of it, we only fear uncertainty because we know we don't possess all the skills needed to live our accustomed lifestyle. 

Again, that is good to know, because only then will we realize that we need one another. That we cannot do everything on our own. That there is strength in numbers.

God and each other, these are what we need right now.

With that, here are five tips on how we can deal with uncertainty during these precarious times:

1. Accept your limits – Focus on the things under your control. Like eating the right kinds of food, exercising, getting enough sleep, and boosting your immune system and overall health.

Accept that there is only so much you can do at the moment, which makes you human but not helpless. 

2. Stay positive – According to studies, we often overestimate the dangers and bad effects of a certain situation. Yes, that is sometimes good because we are able to prepare beforehand. However, the flip side is it may lead to a lot of anxiety.

Being optimistic helps you become calmer and more confident in dealing with uncertainty. 

One practical way to stay positive is to limit your exposure to news. I'm not saying you should ignore the news, just limit it. Try to schedule your news watching so that you are not anxious about checking it hour by hour.

3. Remember past successes – Remember the times when you were put through tough challenges and how did you overcome them. Remember how God helped you get through all of them.

God is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Remember that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. (Rom. 8:28)

4. Take courage from God’s promises – Having courage mobilizes you to take action, to find solutions, instead of getting paralyzed by fear. Fear hinders good decision-making.

Hold on to God’s promises. He said that He will never leave us nor forsake us especially during times of trouble and distress. (Deuteronomy 31:6)

5. Look at the possibilities – Although it is best to be ready, the future will always be uncertain no matter how much we prepare. That’s the beautiful thing about it, actually. Since it is a clean slate, the possibilities are endless.  

Try to welcome changes with excitement and curiosity. We should approach these inconveniences with the sense of finding opportunities and solutions. Instead of grumbling and complaining without any clear solutions in mind.

Trust God

Not knowing the future helps us to put our trust in God. If we know everything, then the chances of calling God for help is greatly reduced. 

God knows this, which is why he tells us to trust in Him. He is good, great and Almighty. He is always in control.