At some point in our lives, we face times of uncertainty. I experienced uncertainty earlier this month when I got to know that some of my local and overseas colleagues had being let go from their jobs; due to the challenging business environment. This news definitely created uncertainty and some anxiety among us as some are just wondering whether more job cuts will come and who will be the next to go. With news that these cuts will only be fully realised in years to come, the dread of being made redundant has indeed become very real even though some put up a brave front as though nothing has happened.
Naomi & Ruth
In the Bible, there are many people who had experienced uncertainty in their lives. One of the well-known passages was about two people; Naomi & Ruth. In Ruth 1:3-5, Naomi had lost both her husband and her two sons. She faced uncertainty and stigma at that time when she became a widow. Naomi decided to return to her homeland and asked her two daughters-in-law to return to their people. It was then Ruth chose to remain faithful and follow her, despite facing the uncertainty in a foreign land. The rest was history. We know that both Naomi and Ruth went to Bethlehem as poor widows but later they became prosperous through Ruth’s marriage to Boaz. Through their lineage came King David and our Lord Jesus Christ.
Job
Job was another person in the Bible that had faced uncertainty in his life. Though Job was righteous and upright before God, he was put to test by God when he lost his children and possessions. Despite the suffering and uncertainty he faced, he did not lose faith in God; but instead fell to the ground and acknowledged God’s sovereignty in everything he had (Job 1:20-21). We know later that Job was ultimately being restored and blessed much more than what he previously had.
Upon reaching home, I shared the news of my company’s situation to my wife. Though this created some uneasiness in our family, we know that as believers in Christ, we have the assurance and peace that our God is in control. We can take heart that, like in the examples of Ruth and Job: as long as we continue to anchor our faith in our Lord and trust Him, who is the Rock of our salvation, we do not need to be anxious about anything.
Philippians 4:6-7
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus”
Brother Leo Deng Yong