Find Certainty in Uncertainty

by Annie Yorty ©2022

I assume you, like me, grieve recent events in Ukraine. Every media I consume screams some new piece of information: bombs exploding, territory occupied, people fleeing, national treasures destroyed, death, nuclear threats. Where will it end? How can we find certainty in uncertainty?

Not long ago I did a deep dive into the book of Philippians. A verse there stood out to me at the time and came back last week as I considered the plight of both Christians and unsaved people in Ukraine. With the reality of death on their doorstep, how can they be certain, established beyond all doubt?

How Christians Find Certainty in Uncertainty

The apostle Paul, author of Philippians, wrote the following to fellow Christians from the uncertainty of his prison cell:

Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ. Then, whether I come and see you again or only hear about you, I will know that you are standing together with one spirit and one purpose, fighting together for the faith, which is the Good News. Don’t be intimidated in any way by your enemies. This will be a sign to them that they are going to be destroyed, but that you are going to be saved, even by God himself (Philippians 1:27-28 NLT).

Paul packs much wisdom into these two verses, concluding with a promise. “You are going to be saved, even by God Himself.” Knowing the big picture of how battles turn out emboldens Christians to follow Paul’s four-point prescription for how to find certainty in uncertainty.

#1 Remember your identity as a subject of The King.

No matter what country you call home, you belong to God if you’ve been saved by grace through Jesus Christ. He is the King of a worldwide family of believers. Sovereign God controls all world leaders and events to accomplish His plan of redemption for this obviously broken world. While we often struggle to understand how troubles on earth hold redemptive value, God continually uses them to draw sinners into a saving and eternal relationship with Himself. And when our struggles become overwhelming, we remember God has already set an end point for this worldwide battle over hearts and souls.

#2 Imitate Jesus and His gospel.

Jesus humbly served undeserving people while He lived on earth. His death on the cross demonstrated the humility and compassion of His grace-filled gospel. Jesus endured death to put others first.

I just read a heartbreaking yet inspiring account of a Ukrainian couple serving in ministry, placing thousands of orphans in families over the years. This week, the husband fought for his country and died. His wife, Marina, will stay in Ukraine, God willing, and continue to serve even as she now raises her children alone.

Maybe you’re thinking Marina’s choice to be like Jesus doesn’t bring much certainty to her life. True, her decision carries bodily risk. But Paul also wrote, “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain (Philippians 1:21 NASB1995).” Paul wasn’t certain he would live. Truly, no one can ever be certain about that. To think we can eliminate the possibility of death is sheer arrogance.

But Paul was certain of His purpose in Christ. That God would use His offering of service for eternity. We too can find certainty of purpose in uncertainty when we imitate Christ.

#3 Stand and fight together with other believers for God’s priorities.

Did you know that the towering redwood tree has no taproot? There is no main root that deeply anchors the weight—literally, tons—of soaring limbs. How can a three hundred fifty-foot tree withstand storms with only ten-foot roots? According to the National Park Service, those shallow roots grow out more than eighty feet in every direction. That spread, however, still wouldn’t be enough to support the visible tree. I’ve heard a key to the strength of redwoods is that their shallow roots entwine with other redwoods into a network that supports all the trees in the forest (Serminutes.com).

I don’t know how the battle for Ukraine will ultimately resolve. But it impresses me to see the citizens band together to save and serve their country.

Ukrainian Pastor Vasyl Ostryi wrote the following for The Gospel Coalition:

And while the church may not fight like the nation, we still believe we have a role to play in this struggle. We will shelter the weak, serve the suffering, and mend the broken. And as we do, we offer the unshakable hope of Christ and his gospel.

Let’s spread our roots of prayer to connect with and strengthen believers in Ukraine and throughout the region. Shell-shocked refugees with hearts cultivated by war and ready for planting seeds of faith now pour into surrounding countries. Christians are responding to the needs. We can also participate in this opportunity by giving our resources to help. Consider donating to Unto or another reputable organization.

#4 Don’t be intimidated by enemies.

The NASB version of the Bible says, “Don’t be alarmed.” In other words, the attacks of the enemy are simply normal, everyday bluster. Don’t be intimidated “in any way.” No need to get anxious about it. No need to quake, cower, accommodate, or do anything other than stand united together in the face of attacks.

I vividly remember when I was a teen, I took my little cousin for a walk and a stray mongrel approached, growling. My cousin leapt into my arms, screaming. Flight instinct told me to run, but instead I stood still to face the dog. “Go on, now. Go home!” I urged him with authority I didn’t feel. After a few more steps and growls, the mutt turned tail and ran.

Just like that bullying dog, when our enemies see us standing firm and unafraid in the Lord, they will know their own destruction soon follows. God is on our side. He will save us.

How the Unsaved Find Certainty in Uncertainty

A friend from Belarus said to me of the current state of events in eastern Europe, “It brings home the question—are you ready to die?” In other words, death may be lurking just around the corner. Are the Ukrainians ready?

That’s a question we all must ask ourselves if we want to find certainty in uncertainty.

If you have not yet turned from living life your way to live it for God, isn’t it about time? What are you waiting for? For more information about how to receive salvation through Jesus Christ, please click the bolded link or contact me at AnnieYorty@gmail.com. I would be happy to talk with you.

Pray, Pray, Pray . . .

Then pray some more.

God uses His people to shine light into the darkness of war to the aggrieved as well as the aggressors.

Of course, we pray unceasingly for the people of Ukraine and for evil to be defeated.

But let’s not forget to also pray for the Russian people, many of whom reject the actions of their president. Some dare to publicly protest at great peril to themselves. I’ve also read reports of disillusioned young Russian soldiers who were told they were helping Ukraine, only to find they were invading. We can ask God to give them uncommon courage to seek Him amidst the uncertainty and do what is right.

Final Thoughts

This war in Ukraine drives home the uncertainty that is baked into the cake of every life without Christ. But we can all find certainty in uncertainty through a rock-solid relationship with God through Jesus.

Join the conversation:

Please share a Bible verse you use to pray for the people of Ukraine.

Have you experienced multiplied strength when a Christian brother or sister supported you?

I welcome your comments!