Endure Uncertainty and Overcome Fear through Exclusive Trust in God

In July of 2022, my sweet Pastor husband and I vacationed at Crater Lake. We hiked, explored, and relaxed for an entire week. We experienced the unhindered view of the sky at Crater Lake. When you are at Crater Lake, you are at the top, so nothing blocks your view, not even air pollution.

Sunset at Crater Lake

We learned a true Crater Lake experience is to watch the sunset over the lake and view all the colors. Consequently, we picked a night to watch the sun descend and provide us with free entertainment. When we arrived, there weren’t many cars which felt unsettling since earlier the area had been packed. However, we found a few people tucked away along the rim waiting for the show to begin.

We jumped in our truck and began the drive down the mountain to our campsite. Did I mention it was DARK? The only lights were our headlights, and I felt their light wasn’t enough. I was riding in the passenger seat, which looked over the edge of the cliff. I tried to breathe evenly and not grip the door handle too tightly, but fear was chasing me around each corner of the road. The “what ifs” screamed loudly in my mind.

Fearful Uncertainty

Have you been there? Perhaps you are currently living within the treacherous grip of terrifying possibilities. You long to break loose and thrive with wonder, but anxiety, doubt, and worry restrict your freedom. I recently read a story in Acts where Peter seems unaffected by an alarmingly scary incident.

Peter’s Story

Take the time to mull those facts over and allow them to sink in. Peter is placed in prison during a time of great celebration. We would compare this to being jailed during Christmas, missing out on family meals and all the hoopla surrounding the holiday.

Now add the fact that Peter is chained, awaiting a decision from Herod. Remember, Herod is the same man who just murdered one of his friends. Peter didn’t break a law or spit at the King. Peter just happened to be a follower of Jesus, that’s it.

Why don’t we add one more element. Passover is the same time of year when Jesus gave His life. Passover isn’t just a time to remember God’s intervention when He freed the Israelites from the Egyptians. Passover is a reminder of Jesus’ sacrifice, when Peter lost his best friend and gained his redemption.

Living into Peter’s Story

If I had been Peter, I would be experiencing emotional overload. My thoughts would have run amok, and I would have decorated for a monumental pity party. Why me God? What are you doing God? Why haven’t you come to my rescue yet God?

Peter’s Deep Sleep

Peter was asleep, even though his big moment was only hours away. In addition, Herod wasn’t a nice guy; he didn’t lean toward grace and forgiveness. Furthermore, two soldiers flanked Peter, and they were all chained together. Plus more soldiers watched his every movement. How in the world does one sleep?

Peter was so asleep, the Angel of the Lord had to wake him up! The Angel’s presence lit up the room, but that didn’t rouse Peter. We learn in Acts 12:7 the Angel struck Peter on his side to prod him from his sleep. Peter’s life was completely uncertain, and yet he slept deeply.

Living with Uncertainty

Trusting Uncertainty

When I read Acts 12:6, I know Peter lived with trusting uncertainty. He didn’t allow fear to dictate his behavior. Peter knew Jesus was Lord and Christ (Acts 2:36). He healed a cripple through the power of the Holy Spirit, was thrown in jail, and then testified to the Sanhedrin that salvation is found in Jesus alone (Acts 3 and 4). Peter witnessed the power of God bring judgement to Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1-11). He was flogged (Acts 5:40), saw Stephen martyred (Acts 7:54-60), and experienced a vision that reframed his attitude toward Gentiles (Acts 10 and 11).

Peter believed, without a doubt, that Jesus was who He claimed to be. He was assured God was sovereign and in control. Peter was convinced the only way to live, was to live sold out for the glory of God alone. And so, even when his life was on the line, Peter slept.

Desiring Control

We all like things laid out to some degree. When we deal with circumstances where we don’t know enough of the details we struggle. We fight depression and anxiety, or at least, irritability. We work desperately to figure things out so we can alter the circumstances and make life “good” again.

However, just like Peter, we aren’t in control. We often deal with the consequences of someone else’s free will and/or sin. Peter came face to face with Herod’s desire for power and glory. We deal with similar conflicts, just on a smaller scale.

For example, a person at work criticizes our work so theirs looks better. We face the anger of another parent who blames our child for her child’s poor choices. Some of us have friends that always tell stories to “one-up” the story we just shared. Our child has a run in with the law, and now all the other parents assume we didn’t discipline appropriately.

The Problem of Fear vs the Greatness of God

Anxiety is a red flag that tells us we aren’t seeing life from God’s perspective. Scripture speaks often of the greatness of God. These truths, just like Peter’s experiences, must anchor us in who God is.

• God is able to do more than we can even imagine (Ephesians 3:20)
• God is sovereign, great, powerful, glorious, and victorious. (1 Chronicles 29:11)
• God is King over the earth. (Psalm 47:2 and 7)
• God’s ways and thoughts are beyond our understanding. (Isaiah 55:9)
• God is creator of the heavens and earth by His power alone. (Jeremiah 32:7)
• God conquered death, raising Jesus from the dead and seating Him forever at God’s right hand. (Ephesians 1:19-20)
• God’s lovingkindness never ceases. His compassions never fail. (Lamentations 3:22)

How Big is Your God?

Allow me to ask you the question that often comes to my mind: How big is your God? I recently wrote in my journal, “God doesn’t prove Himself by making my life easy. God proves Himself with His presence.” When we live into this truth, we are able to sleep, just like Peter. We may still have uncertainty, but it is combined with trust in an unfailing, loving God who is with us in all the uncertainty we face.

Crater Lake, Brewer family vacation 2022