Finding Peace When You're Simply Not Ready for What's Next
When Hagar and her son were sent into the parched, desolate, and punishing desert, far from the familiar comforts and coziness of home, she must be fearless– for she had encountered God before. She knew God would come to save her and her son. She had already tasted firsthand God’s kindness and grace when the Lord spoke to her years ago by the Spring, in this very same desert they’re treading. At that time, she was in disbelief that God actually knew her by name, prompting her to speak these very words: “You-Are-the-God-Who-Sees” Gen. 16:13 NKJV
But as mother and son journeyed through the desert for days with their food supply running out and the water jar completely drained, I could just imagine the sudden terror that came over her, the uncertainty she must have felt. This time, God was nowhere to be found. He was silent. Her faith must have taken a beating. Wandering through the sun-scorched desert, a place riddled with every kind of threat, her mind must be a battlefield of worries and questions, tearing through every thought, every possibility of what could happen next. Questions like: Would we survive? Would we encounter bandits or wild animals? Has God forgotten us?
The uncertainty, the feeling of being unprepared for what lies ahead, is gut-wrenching for most of us. Like Hagar, fear may slowly take hold of you as the weight of what awaits on the path ahead begins to sink in… and God’s silence becomes unbearably deafening. But then we know fully well how Hagar's journey in the desert ended. At that very moment when that flicker of hope died inside her, when she finally collapsed under the weight of it all, worn down by hunger and thirst, God showed up and intervened. Even when she lost faith– opting to leave her son behind as she couldn’t muster the courage to see him dying a slow death from starvation– God came through for her. Reading this verse decades ago, I couldn’t quite wrap my head around it — how could she doubt Him? How could she even think of letting go of this child, the one God had promised her she would conceive just a few years back, the child through whom the blessing of many offspring would be fulfilled.
“I will increase your descendants so much that they will be too numerous to count.” Gen. 16:10 NIV
Many of us could relate. As we get older, life’s trials have a way of becoming more intense, challenges that stretch us in ways we could never have imagined ourselves going through. I could relate to how Hagar must have felt, feeling ignored and overlooked when repeated pleas for help went unheeded. Despite having seen God’s goodness up close, experiencing His grace and provisions that have sustained us through the toughest days, we’re still so quick to forget all the ways things have worked out for us in the past whenever we find ourselves weathering a storm.
Uncertainty is what we often dread; we crave security and stability, and prefer to be wrapped in our little bubble, our sheltered cocoon. But as Christians, we know all too well that uncertainty isn’t the only constant in life. Alongside it is God’s faithfulness, leading us through the toughest road ahead, giving us the confidence to move through each season with courage and hope. And if you’re someone whose emotional sensitivity is a bit off the charts, life’s transitions, the in-between seasons, and stepping into the unknown can be downright debilitating. It can land a bit more punch than what most of us can endure at times.
Maybe an unexpected illness forces you to deprive yourself of the things that once brought spring in your step, or, much worse, even put at risk the very livelihood you thought you could rely on as you single-handedly care for yourself and your loved ones. Perhaps you’re in the midst of a divorce; the man who promised to sit beside you till your hair turns gray suddenly wants to walk away, leaving you to face the future on your own, faced with the dread of moving through the loneliness of growing older, not to mention the financial struggles that come with it. All these life shifts that some of us may go through at some point in our lives can leave us completely undone, feeling quite lost about the next step, sitting with the uncertainty of what’s to come.
I, myself, have gone through so much; I lost count. And what carried me through all these years is God’s enduring faithfulness. Calling to mind how He sustained me through my darkest seasons softens the fear of what’s next. Memories of His kindness become my seed of hope, reminding me that I don’t have to have it all figured out to keep moving. And that’s what enables me to accept what is, rather than constantly fighting what isn’t. I’ve learned from past experiences to surrender every weight I carry to God, to loosen my grip on the weight by holding on to His grace
God Places Us Where We Need To Be
Trusting that God places us where we need to be helps us accept what’s before us and renew our courage to endure the unbearable. Because beneath our thoughts and worries, we have this sense of knowing that all will be well in the end–for nothing about our journey is unseen; we have a God who sees.
When Hagar first encountered God, she was in disbelief, thinking she was too insignificant for God to even bother with her plight… only to realize that God had always known her by name.
Making Peace With the Unknown
If you’re dreading what lies ahead, make peace with it. Let’s make peace with the situation we’re in, knowing that God meant for us to go through these difficulties for a reason… and not for a lifetime, but only for a season.
“But we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” Romans 5:3-5 NIV
Our life here on earth, as we know it, is a shifting dance of joy and weeping. We are encouraged by the many gifts and joys of life, but we must remember that suffering also bears hidden blessings. And times of uncertainty are what draw us closer to God, seeking His help to get through the long, difficult stretch ahead, giving us enough strength to outlast this bleak period in our lives.
Because for a child of God, every ending carries the promise of a new beginning, no matter how bleak things may seem on the surface.
“ We know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. “ Rom. 8:28 NKJV
Resting in the God Who Knows You
Like Hagar, God knows each of us by name. He is the God who Sees. A God who is not just a mere spectator, sitting on the sidelines as we stagger beneath the heavy load on our backs. He is a God who walks beside us through every trial and sorrow. Like Hagar, you’re not insignificant to God. You are precious in His eyes, and He will direct your step in these times of uncertainty if you would only allow Him. When Hagar could not take another step, when she thought God was indifferent to her suffering, God’s gaze was on her all along.
Choosing Faith Over Fear
So do not fear. Take that first step into the unknown. Rest assured that you won’t face it alone, for the God we worship has His gaze on you.
“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you.” Is. 43:2 NKJV
What truth from today’s devotional is God using to encourage your heart? Share your reflection and join our conversation in the iBelieve Truth Devotional Forum.
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/LaylaBird
Related Resource: Hope, Chronic Illness, and Trusting God with Your Kids
When faced with parenting crises, special-needs challenges, fear, and exhaustion, how do you keep moving forward?
Sarah Walton is an author, wife, and mom of four whose family has faced chronic illness, a son with severe behavioral episodes, and years of uncertainty without answers. In this conversation, Sarah talks about what it looked like to survive the hardest seasons of motherhood and how her faith carried her through.
She shares how she learned to grieve her expectations, hold hope and acceptance together, and find small joys when everything felt dark. She also offers practical words for how to support a friend who is suffering — and what not to say. Her new book is "Jesus Will Meet You There." If you like what you hear, be sure to follow The Happy Home Podcast with Arlene Pellicane on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode!
Originally published Monday, 10 August 2026.
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