Day 3

COPING WITH UNCERTAINTY

"What shall we say then to these things? If God be for us who can be against us?" Romans 8:31

Life is a great unknown! There are so many external influences on a person's life that he or she can never be sure how events will turn out along the way. Each day brings new challenges, the possibility of change or even crisis.

Our well ordered and secure patterns of life are vulnerable to so many different forces. Anything from an unexpected bill to a major tragedy can call for new decisions, a reappraisal of our attitudes and swift action. Other people are perhaps the greatest source of uncertainty, whether it is an unfair employer, a legacy from a rich aunt or even a Christian friend witnessing with irresistible practical love! Are we then no more in control than puppets or a boat drifting on the tide?

A lot depends on where we direct our energies; whether to pursuing our own ambitions, achieving status, or to growing into the right kind of person. The two options don't exclude each other of course but if we concentrate too much on achieving and not enough on becoming then life can easily seem to be a series of frustrations and we may miss out on everything of value because we were too busy to notice it.

The God-centred life offers us an anchor for our boat, or if you like independence of strings!

When Saul became king he was teachable and open to God's influence. Soon though he was going his own way but still claiming obedience to God. He was becoming the wrong sort of man. God rejected him and his whole life then centred on maintaining his position.

How did Saul's view of himself and his destiny alter after God's rejection? What difference did that make to his attitudes to others and to events?

David chose to wait for God's leading. When he made mistakes he admitted them openly. He too was forming his character. Which man was more successful? Why?