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Dealing with Uncertainty

Graphic with caption "Dealing with Uncertainty"
Uncertainty of Doubt
Scriptures to turn to when struggling with doubt

  1. Remember that God has been and never will be far from us, despite our own doubts (Acts 17:26-28)
  2. Remember when Thomas doubted, Jesus met him in his doubt (John 20:24-29)
  3. Remember even David wrestled with doubts and fears (Psalm 22:1-31)
  4. Remember even Peter doubted while walking on water (Matthew 14:22-33)
  5. Remember even some of the disciples doubted after the resurrection (Matthew 28:16-20)
  6. Remember even in our own darkness and confusion, we know good will prevail and God will win in the end (Romans 8:18-30)
  7. Remember that even Jesus cried out from the cross (Matthew 27:46; Mark 15:34)

 

United Methodist Church resources for struggling with doubt

  1. Weathering a crisis of faith
  2. God, why have you left me?
Uncertainty of Forgiveness
Scriptures to remind us why we forgive

  1. Remember Paul’s commands to “let love be genuine” and to not “repay anyone evil for evil.” (Romans 12:9-21)
  2. Remember on the cross, Christ forgave those who crucified him (Luke 23:34)
  3. Remember to “forgive each other, just as Christ forgave you.” (Colossians 3:12-17)
  4. “One who forgives an affront fosters a friendship, but one who dwells on disputes will alienate a friend.” (Proverbs 7:9-11)
  5. In Genesis, Joseph forgave his brothers who left him for dead (Genesis 50:15-21)
  6. The Lord’s prayer commands us to “Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.” (Matthew 6:9-15)
  7. Remember the parable of the unforgiving servant (Matthew 18:21-35)

United Methodist Church resources for struggling how to forgive

  1. Why those who are forgiven should be forgiving
  2. The secret to forgiveness: Focus within
  3. Forgiveness: A journey filled with choices
  4. Song: “Forgiven” by David Crowder
Uncertainty of Worry

In the moment when we are worried, the best thing to do is STOP whatever we are doing.  Then, take 1-5 minutes to pray, breathe deeply, take a walk or whatever you need to stop worrying. Need a reminder of this on-the-go?  Use our printable Worry Less – Live More card!

Scriptures to turn to when we are worried and anxious

  1. Remember Jesus told us not to worry (Matthew 6:25-34)
  2. Remember just as God was with the Israelites when they left Egypt, God is with you (Exodus 13:17-22)
  3. “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death…you are with me,” (Psalm 23:1-6)
  4. “The Lord is my light and my salvation–whom shall I fear?” (Psalm 27:1-14)
  5. “I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.” (Psalm 34:1-22)
  6. Remember Paul said “do not be anxious about anything,” (Philippians 4:4-7)
  7. Remember Jesus said God is always with us through the Holy Spirit (John 14:26-27)
  8. “So do not fear, for I am with you,” (Isaiah 41:8-10)

United Methodist Church resources for dealing with worry and anxiety

  1. Four Things You Can Do When You Are Anxious by the Rev. Jack Shitama
  2. Throw Your Anxiety to God by the Rev. Martha Epstein
  3. Living in the Moment by Senior Pastor, the Rev. Magrey deVega
Uncertainty of Mortality

Scriptures to turn to when contemplating the uncertainty of morality

  1. Read Paul’s words on the resurrection of the body (1 Corinthians 15:35-57)
  2. Remember that nothing, even death, will separate us from God’s love (Romans 8:31-39)
  3. Remember faith doesn’t mean having all the answers; admitting “I’m not sure” is okay (Hebrews 11:1-3)
  4. Remember everything, even life and death, has its time (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8)
  5. We can be encouraged by the hope of the resurrection (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)
  6. God comforts us, even in “the valley of the shadow of death” (Psalm 23:1-6)
  7. There will be a time when there will be “no more death or mourning or crying or pain,” (Revelation 21:1-5)

United Methodist Church resources for dealing with worry and anxiety

  1. “What Happens When We Die?” by the Rev. Magrey deVega, Senior Pastor
  2. End of Life Planning Resources
  3. “When a Loved One Dies: Helping Children and Youth Cope with Death,” from the United Methodist Church
  4. Navigating Children’s Grief – Age Specific
  5. “What Happens When a Person Dies?” from the United Methodist Church
Uncertainty of Surrender

Scriptures to turn to when seeking Christ or surrendering to Christ

  1. Remember nothing, even our fear of surrender, can seperate us from Christ’s love (Romans 8:38-39)
  2. We do what we do in the Christian life for Christ and through Christ, not ourselves (2 Corinthians 4:1-15)
  3. When we surrender to Christ, there is so much more to gain than lose.  As Jesus said, “ For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will save it.” (Luke 9:23-25)
  4. Look at the story of Paul and Ananias: neither wanted to surrender to God’s plan for them, but their lives were changed for the better when they did! (Acts 9:1-19)
  5. Paul seemingly “had it all together” but gained so much more by surrendering to Christ (Philippians 3:1-11)
  6. When the Ethiopian Eunuch sought God, Philip was sent to help him find God (Acts 8:26-40)
  7. Before we surrender to Christ, before we are even born, God already knows and loves us (Psalm 139:1-18)

United Methodist Church resources for seeking or surrendering to God

  1. United Methodist Beliefs: Prevenient Grace
  2. Discovering God’s will: John Wesley’s difficult decision
  3. Holy Spirit moments: Learning from Wesley at Aldersgate
Uncertainty of Obedience

Scriptures to turn to when seeking to hear and obey God

  1. Remember the Rev. Magrey deVega’s “SOS” Method of Listening to God:
    1. Scripture (2 Timothy 3:10-17)
    2. Others (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12)
    3. Silence (Psalm 62:1-12)
  2. Remember Mary listened and obeyed, despite her uncertainties (Luke 1:46-55)
  3. Remember Gideon followed God’s call, even though he thought he was not qualified (Judges 6:11-40) and obeyed God’s command to go to battle with limited resources, only one hundred men (Judges 7:1-35)
  4. Paul’s ministry began with acts of obedience from Paul and Ananias (Acts 9:1-19)

United Methodist Church resources for seeking or surrendering to God

  1. “Listening for God’s Word” by the Rev. Magrey deVega, Senior Pastor
  2. “10 Ways to Improve your Prayer Life” from the United Methodist Church
  3. Get Your Spirit in Shape: Sacred Spaces