I do not know what situation you read this in. Normally I could assume that you are a typical young person in the early summer, glad that school is ending and excited for prom, graduation, or other celebrations we usually have at this time of year. Normally, that would be sufficient. I could talk about the beauty of tradition or the joy of celebration, but neither of those seems particularly appropriate right now.

So, though you may be tired of hearing about it, or because of the nature of publication this may seem too late, I want to talk about uncertainty. Uncertainty may cause you to think of the loss of control and feeling fearful. You may think of anxiety. You may just get an image of gray swirls of thought. You may fear for your future or see the potential that uncertainty brings.

Doubt, concern, confusion. These words are synonyms of uncertainty. And, while we have just experienced a period of communal uncertainty, there will always be periods of uncertainty in our lives.

As I write this, I am experiencing, along with everyone else, the uncertainty that this coronavirus has caused. But I know that just a year ago I was experiencing the common but personal uncertainty of where I was going to go to college. I have also experienced the uncertainty of both injury and illness. Uncertainty can take many forms, and it is never a pleasant experience. However, we have a God who cares for us and for whom the future is certain, because He is the one who wrote it.

While uncertainty may be a natural response to many stressful situations, it is a terrific reminder to rely on God. Paul reminds Timothy that Christians are “not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment” (1 Tim. 6:17). This is tough! We love to rely on ourselves and our plans. We make spring break plans or plans at school or even simple plans with friends, and these plans can get foiled so easily. I keep being reminded of the idea that “humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps” (Prov. 16:9).

Not only are we told not to rely on our wealth or the plans we make, but we are also told not to be anxious at any time, including times of uncertainty. We have to cast all our anxiety on God because He cares for us (1 Peter 5:7). This is another hard command. But God gives it to us not because we can fulfill it as He commanded it, but because He wants us to rely on Him and trust in His care for us.

Finally, we have to remember that God is in control of everything. He is our Father and He holds us in the palm of His hand. We shall not be forsaken, and whatever we are going through, whatever trial or uncertainty, is for His glory and our ultimate good. “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom. 8:38–39).

Amelia Jones is a freshman at Taylor University. She lives in Columbus, Ind., with her parents, Jeff and Kathy Jones.