Wise Counsel in Seasons of Uncertainty

A while back, I went through a very difficult season, one filled with painful uncertainty.  In talking it through with a trusted friend who prayed with me, he felt led to counsel me, “I believe that how you go through this time is more important than how it finally works out.”  He was telling me that he believed that how I journeyed was more important than the destination.

As we talked that out, we talked about the importance of being a man of character, a man of faith, a man dependent upon a loving God.  I saw the wisdom of his words and it challenged my paradigm, which had been heavily focused upon the ultimate outcome of the uncertainty.  The person I am today will be most revealed in times of uncertainty.  You’ll see the quality of my character when I feel threatened.  You’ll see the degree of my faith when I’m worrying about the future.  You’ll see my level of dependence upon God when I’m trying to orchestrate.  At the same time, such seasons can also be the perfect crucible in which I can grow in character, faith and dependence.

James wrote about this in the New Testament:

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, ³because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. – James 1:3-4

God uses the inevitable trials we encounter to test our faith.  As we grow in faith, it develops a character of perseverance.  That perseverance leads to maturity and a life of fullness.

Now having passed through that season, I can see my friend’s wisdom.  It was far more important, to me and to God, how I lived that season of my life rather than the eventual outcome.  The growth came through and in my character, faith and dependence.

If you are in a time of trial, that almost always involves uncertainty, ask yourself if how you go through this time may be more important than how it all eventually works out.