Three Faiths’ Views on Being Comfortable with the Uncomfortable

“Happy are those who trust in the Lord, who rely on the Lord. They will be like trees planted by the streams, whose roots reach down to the water. They won’t fear drought when it comes; their leaves will remain green. They won’t be stressed in the time of drought or fail to bear fruit.” Jeremiah 17:7-81 

Recently I hosted a meeting for Daughters of Abraham*, an organization I co-founded that brings together women of the three Abrahamic faiths to share stories of our faith journeys. My co-founders, Mojdeh Hassani and Fredda Klopfer choose the theme: “Being Comfortable with the Uncomfortable.” We are living with uncertainty daily. The headlines scream of local and world atrocities, war in the Ukraine, lingering issues with Covid, the health of our planet, our country divided on so many issues. 

What are ways we can control our reaction to daily uncertainties? Here are some quotes to stimulate your thinking. 

“Be comfortable with uncertainty because nothing ever goes away until it has taught us what we need to know.” -Pema Chodron

“Some changes look negative on the surface, but you will soon realize that space is being created in your life for something new to emerge.” -Eckhart Tolle 

“I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.” -Nelson Mandela.

For our Daughters of Abraham group question and sharing, we asked, ‘What is a soul trait or value that you want to develop in these uncertain times and why?’

Some of the values shared are :

  • Patience in all things, waiting for God’s guidance. 

• Truly listening to one another with compassion and not anticipating what to say.

 • Do your best and then rest, and let God do the rest, trying not to fix everything.

 • Serenity, being at peace and not entering into the chaos or adding to it.

 • Trusting God to be with us every step of the way. 

What would you add to the list? What ways have you learned to face uncertainty?

Memorizing Bible verses seems to help me. Here are a few that may help those who are facing a mountain of challenges.

“I will both lie down in peace and sleep; For You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.”—Psalm 4:8 NKJV

“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”—Isaiah 41:10 ESV

For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.—2 Timothy 1:7 ESV

My prayers go out for your strength and standing firm in these challenging times.

May it be so.

*To learn more about Daughters of Abraham, please click here.