“I don’t know.”
You say it when someone asks you to do something and you aren’t sure how to answer. The words are uttered in annoyance by kids everywhere as parents inquire about homework, grades, and missing toys. “…Anymore” is tagged on when tragedies strike and we’re left in shock.
Feelings of doubt, loss, vulnerability, and betrayal often overcome us when we realize that we don’t know something that we think we should, or that we want to, or that we thought we already knew. Consequently, not knowing is something that we have to live with, but also something that many of us despise.
God has plenty to say on the subject of not knowing to comfort those of us who really can’t stand being in the dark:
You know what you need to
In 2 Peter 1:3 we read that: “His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.” It’s your knowledge of Christ that ensures that you know what you need to when it counts.
Sure, you might not know if you made a mistake graduating from that college. You’ll never figure out if accepting that job over this one would have led to an earlier promotion. But you know Christ, and that means you know how to seek and obey. Further, you know that all things will work together for good because you love Him and follow Him (Romans 8:28.)
You know that you can grow in knowledge
At this exact moment, you might find that there are things you hope to know but don’t know yet. Perhaps you’ve experienced hardship at length and little joy –you probably want to know what it is to revel in the joy of the Lord, for example.
Trust, wait, and seek to know. You can be “growing in the knowledge of God” as you find that “God…fills you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way” (Colossians 1:9-10.)
Just because you don’t know something now doesn’t mean that you never will. Trust God to teach you in time.
Just because you don’t know something now doesn’t mean that you never will. Trust God to teach you in time. Click To TweetYou know enough to know what isn’t true
Paul prayed in Colossians 2:2-4 that believers “may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments.”
Notice the reason he prayed for people to have understanding, wisdom, and knowledge. Paul’s point was that in having such knowledge of Christ people wouldn’t be deceived. The light shines to expose the darkness.
Though your knowledge may not feel complete and there may be mysteries that you don’t have the answers to (so irksome!) you can at least know what isn’t true. You can know enough by knowing Christ to understand when something is deceptive –to keep away from what is “falsely called knowledge” (1 Timothy 6:20.)
You know that He knows
Finding out that our preconceptions and assumptions were incorrect is tough and can seriously shake our faith and beliefs. Learning that there are things that will not be known in this life, like if a loved one went to heaven, is painful.
Part of resting in the Lord -finding comfort, hope, and joy in Him- is knowing that He knows and then letting that be that.
Psalm 139:6 proclaims: “Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.” Meanwhile, Psalm 147:5 echoes: “Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit.”
Let that be enough. The same God who knows you, loves you, is perfect, and is above all – He knows all about it.
So take a breath, hand the thoughts you’ve been turning over in your mind to the Lord, and set your mind on better things (Colossians 3:10.)
{A version of this post was previously published here}
LINKUP PARTY opens on Wednesdays at 6 am!
Christian Bloggers, come share your Blog with our audience below:
1. Add your Link.
2. Visit the blogger before or after and encourage them with a comment.
3. Share on social media. Click below to share on Twitter that you are joining us! We would love to have you follow the ministry on Twitter and Facebook as well: Soaring with Him FB Page
LINKUP is open! Today, my friend @BethanyMcIlrath challenges us to trust God in things we don't have answers for. Join us and share your blog! #RechargeWednesday Click To Tweet
That’s a comfort–we may not know everything we want to, but we know enough to trust and obey.
That comforts me too, Barbara! Thanks for joining in today.
I could waste a lot of time mentally chasing my tail and recycling decisions, so I appreciate your reinforcement here in the area of leaving the unknown in God’s capable hands.
Me too, Michele! (Unfortunately, I sometimes do chase my tail mentally…or Google’s!) Praise God He is capable and entirely trustworthy.
This post is so meant for me. 🙂 “I don’t know” has been my theme words this month as I step into my One Word of Uncertainty for 2021. There will always be things that I don’t know–that God doesn’t even WANT me to know–and that’s okay. I can trust him with my unknowns as much as with my knowns. Thanks, Bethany!
That blesses me, Lisa, because it’s so meant for me, too. I wrote the original version of this years ago and I need it all the time!! Wow , uncertainty is a brave and fitting word for 2021, I’ll be excited to hear how God uses that in your life and grows your trust in Him! Thanks for joining in today : )
My favorite thing here, Bethany, is this: “You know enough to know what isn’t true.” That’s good and never gives us an excuse not to walk in God’s truth. I’m so glad the God we know is Lord over the unknown parts of our life.
Thanks for joining and sharing, Karen! I’m so glad our precious Lord is over all the unknowns, too.
Bethany, this is one I’ve struggled with in my life. Love it all. This stood out, “But you know Christ, and that means you know how to seek and obey. Further, you know that all things will work together for good because you love Him and follow Him (Romans 8:28.)” that means I can stop fretting and trust! Thanks so much for this wisdom.
Me too, Debbie. My husband teases me that one of my favorite phrases is, “but I need to know!” So thankful we can not fret and trust our Lord who knows it all!
I confess, I am a Wanna to Know it All person. But this truth “Part of resting in the Lord -finding comfort, hope, and joy in Him- is knowing that He knows and then letting that be that.” is so freeing. Letting go of not knowing and simply trusting Him will liberate me from the bonds of needing to know. Beautiful message. Thank you!
Me too, Calvonia. So glad this truth resonated with you. Thank you for your encouragement and joining here- He is trustworthy!!
Oftentimes not knowing can be excruciating. But everything is in His all powerful hands.
Amen, it can be and it is!
“Just because you don’t know something now doesn’t mean that you never will.” This is such a good perspective, Bethany. When we overlay that with the truth that we already we know what we need to know for today, it kind of takes the pressure off, I think. Great post, my friend.
Thanks, Lois. Thank God that takes the pressure off of us. He is good and faithful!