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This article is a chapter from my life, when I had to face my fear of the unknown after the executive director of the legal services firm I worked for told me that funding for my staff attorney position had not been renewed. As I continue my reflections on life’s transitions, I share the lessons I learned from the day that changed everything for me. If you are just joining this series, you can start with the first reflection here: https://beatricegarrett.com/the-start-you-didnt-imagine-beginnigs-dont-determine-endings/
When God Says Stay, When You Want To Go
Before I became unemployed, I had been praying and looking for another job, but God wouldn’t allow me to leave. I complained to God, asking him why he hadn’t opened a new door of employment. The day everything changed for me caught me off guard. The executive director delivered the news. But I knew God was sovereign over the moment.
I didn’t understand why God wouldn’t let me leave earlier, and I was angry with him. I didn’t know what my next step was or how I would pay my bills. That was when the unknown felt overwhelming, and I had to overcome my fear to move forward. The turning point for me was trusting God.
Trusting God When The Future Is Unknown
It is normal for fear to overwhelm us when we face the unknown. When I started thinking about all the things that could go wrong, my thoughts were not aligned with God’s word. 2 Timothy 1:7 tells us, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, and timidity but of power, love, and self-discipline.
When we don’t know what’s next, we may start thinking about every worst-case scenario and rehearse every negative outcome. That is not God speaking; it’s fear. Spending time focusing on what can go wrong keeps us living in the future, not in the present. What we focus on can keep us in the future, the past, or the present.
Overcoming Fear With God’s Promises
Focusing on God’s promise helps us live in the moment and not worry about things we can’t control. What helped me remain positive and in the present was focusing on Isaiah 41:10: “Do not be afraid, for I am with you.” Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. If you are ready to go deeper and strengthen your faith in this season, my eBook, The Overcomer in You, is full of practical faith-based strategies to help you in your daily walk.
A powerful way I learned to overcome fear was to speak God’s promises. When you start rehearsing what can go wrong, rebuke that thought of fear with God’s truth. And how you do it is by speaking the promise over your situation and realigning your thinking with God’s word.
Aligning Your Thoughts With God’s Truth
The unknown feels overwhelming when you have no control over the future, but you don’t have to let fear control you. Choose to align your thoughts with God’s truth instead of rehearsing everything that can go wrong. The way we learn the truth of God’s promises is to believe them, rely on them, and expect them to come true. You have more power over your thoughts than you think.
Walking Forward With Faith and Confidence
If you are walking through your own season of unexpected change, I want you to know that God has a plan for your life. You can rebuild your confidence, move forward in faith, and step boldly into what God has for you.
If my experience resonates with you and you are feeling overwhelmed by the unknown, unsure of what to do next, and want clarity and a plan to help you move forward. I invite you to visit my website to learn more about my coaching services. Don’t forget to subscribe to my newsletter for encouragement, updates, services, and inspirational products.
As you walk through this season, what is one lesson God is teaching you about overcoming fear?
Until the next post, take care and stay encouraged in faith.
Beatrice Garrett, Speaker and Life Coach
