uncertainty cheats
concentration, attention
stress accumulates
Reading today in The Guardian in the article, We live in stressful times, a perfect moment to try to turn off and tune out, Nosheen Iqbal writes:
The zapping of our concentration and attention spans may seem anecdotal, but there is substantial neuroscience to explain it. Living through a pandemic plugged with sadness, fear and uncertainty is a mind soup designed to tip us off balance. Rationally, I know this. Studies have shown time and again that the impact of stress on the brain robs it of its ability to process information, retain it and focus. Be it big-picture worries or everyday life adjustments, stress accumulates.
Uncertainty.
Who?
What?
Where?
When?
How?
Any answers for any of these?
How?
Nope.
When?
Nope.
Where?
Nope.
What?
Nope.
Who?
Who?
I watched Dr. James Merritt this morning from the church we attend here in Georgia.
Dr. Merritt answered the “who” question.
He said, “When you don’t know what God is doing, remember WHO God is.”
I was quick to pass this off as once again as Christian’s we are to focus on Eternity.
Christ provides us with Eternity.
Isn’t that enough even with faced with the uncertainty of every day life?
Isn’t that enough when finances are messed up.
Well, yes.
Isn’t that enough when toilet paper runs low?
Well, yes.
Isn’t that enough when uncertainty is every where.
Well, yes, but.
BUT!
But when money runs low, when toilet paper runs out, when uncertainty manages to steam roll every other emotion, the promise of Eternity, and this sounds so shallow, can be pretty thin gruel.
I get it, but up against the daily dose of stress, Eternity can seem a long way off.
Then Dr. Merritt threw me for a loop and hit one for six out of the park.
Because Dr. Merritt didn’t turn to the New Testament and the promise of salvation to make his point.
Dr. Merritt went to the Old Testament and the much un-read book of Habakkuk.
Dr. Merritt focused on Chapter 3 verses 17-18, Habakkuk prays,
“Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines,
though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food,
though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls,
yet I will rejoice in the Lord,
I will be joyful in God my Savior.”
Uncertainty in everyday life, Old Testament style.
No crops.
No sheep.
No cattle,
What, where, why, how?
Not sure.
Who?
The answer to Who, is God.
And when the money runs low and there are no crops/
When the toilet papers runs out and there are no sheep.
When uncertainty hangs on every other question.
And I will remember who God is.
I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.
Bring on that uncertainty.
It don’t stand no chance.
