For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, "Do not fear; I will help you."

- Isaiah 41:13

In this time of major upheaval, we’ve all had moments of just not being okay. We’ve all been exposed for what we truly are: fragile creatures dependent on fallible systems. And, I for one have felt the sucker punch right in the gut at times. Some news has literally sent me straight to my knees as I realize, “I am not okay. This is not okay.”

The truth is, I need to feel those feelings. 

I need to let the very honest fears and worries of my heart bubble to the surface. The rug has been pulled out from under all of my false security nets, which is really unsettling.  But, as I have honestly dealt with them, I’ve found that this has been for my good. I need to genuinely face my own vulnerability. I’ve relied too much on finances and future plans and normal routines. Haven’t we all? Don’t we just tend towards that as humans? Don’t we just want everything to fall into place, to all work out, and to just make sense?

But, sometimes it doesn’t. 

And, as hard as it is, it just might be the very thing we need to bring us to our senses about what is really real. The real reality is that we aren’t okay. We’re not in control. And, we need someone to step in and help us. We need a good God who loves us, we need his strong and capable arm to pull us up out of our distressing situations, our failures, and the worry that eats away at us. We need a good Listener and a trustworthy Friend, One who can truly set it all right and set us right. Because, we really can’t do it on our own. 

This time of uncertainty has provided me with a hard and sobering reality check. Frankly, it’s one I needed. I needed to see just how “not okay” I truly am. I needed to have my false securities exposed for what they truly are: hollow and impotent. And, while I still struggle with so much of what’s going on in the world, the truth is, that I am fundamentally always okay, because God is in control, he has a plan, and he is good.

What are your false security nets that have been exposed in this uncertain time?

How might God be using this time to help you grow closer to him?

Natalie co-founded Dwell with her sister, Vera. Together, they're committed to helping others connect with God each and every day. Natalie also hosts our weekly podcast, Dwell Differently. She and her husband, Jason, live in Chicago with their 5 kids, where Jason pastors  First Free Church.