Faith Over Fear: Trusting God’s Sovereignty in Uncertain Times

Editor’s note – JM Troppello wrote this piece the day after a presidential election, when it would have been easy to let political disappointment set the tone for the rest of the week. Instead, she took a walk, noticed the sunshine, and let Psalm 146 recalibrate her thinking. We’re running it because the temptation she names – letting the news cycle or the next crisis dictate our peace – is not seasonal. It’s a daily choice between fear and faith, and she works through it with honesty rather than pat answers.

Today, I decided to get outside and enjoy a walk, and I’m so glad I did. The weather was beautiful for November, with temperatures in the 60s, sunshine, blue skies, and a gentle breeze. I brought a lightweight sweatshirt jacket, but it was warm enough that I really enjoyed being outside.

At one point during my walk, I looked up at the sky and just enjoyed feeling the warmth of the sunshine on my face. It was one of those simple moments when I couldn’t help but thank God for His goodness. There was something so peaceful about being outside, enjoying His creation, and taking a little time away from everything else happening in the world.

As I kept walking, I thought about the importance of keeping our focus on the Lord. Things around us can always cause uncertainty, especially when we turn on the news or think about what the future might hold. But I’m learning I don’t have to let those things steal the peace God has given me.

Remembering Who Is Really in Control

Yesterday was Election Day, and both my husband and I voted after he got home from work. Although the results weren’t what I had hoped for, I was reminded of something that’s far more important than any election outcome.

God is still in control.

As Christians, we can participate in elections, stay informed about important issues, and care about the direction of our communities and country. Those things matter, and I believe it’s important to be responsible citizens. But our ultimate hope should never rest in a political candidate, an elected official, or any human institution.

Our hope is in the Lord.

One of the verses that comes to mind is Psalm 146:3-5:

Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help. His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish. Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the LORD his God. (Psalm 146:3-5)

Editor’s note – Psalm 146 was written for exactly this moment: a reminder that no prince, president, or parliament holds the kind of control we’re tempted to hand them. Scripture doesn’t tell us to disengage from public life – it tells us where our hope cannot live.

I think this passage is an important reminder, especially when people feel strongly about political events. Human leaders come and go, and no person has complete knowledge or control over everything that happens. But God is eternal, all-knowing, and sovereign over His creation.

That doesn’t mean every decision a leader makes is good or that we shouldn’t care about the consequences of those decisions. It means that regardless of who holds an earthly position of authority, our faith and ultimate security belong in God. We can stay engaged in the world without letting political outcomes determine whether we have peace.

And that’s something I want to keep reminding myself of.

Being Prepared Without Living in Fear

Another thing I’ve been thinking about is how easy it can be to become overwhelmed by concerns about the future. We hear about different problems around the world, and sometimes our minds start imagining everything that could go wrong. Before long, we can find ourselves worrying about situations that haven’t even happened.

For example, some people worry about emergencies, extended power outages, or disruptions that could make it difficult to get everyday necessities. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with being prepared for unexpected circumstances. In fact, I believe it’s wise to think ahead and take reasonable steps to care for our households.

Having some extra drinking water, shelf-stable food, flashlights, batteries, and other basic emergency supplies can be a responsible decision. Families can do this based on their needs, circumstances, and budgets. But there’s a difference between making practical preparations and allowing fear to control our thoughts and decisions.

We can prepare without becoming consumed by everything that might happen.

That’s important to remember because worrying doesn’t give us control over the future. We can spend hours imagining different scenarios, but that doesn’t mean they’ll happen. And even when unexpected challenges do arise, we can trust God to give us wisdom and strength as we face them.

One of my favorite passages about trusting God is Isaiah 26:3-4:

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength. (Isaiah 26:3-4)

Editor’s note – There’s a long Christian tradition of practical readiness paired with spiritual calm – Joseph storing grain in Egypt, Nehemiah posting guards while he prayed. Preparation was never the opposite of trust; anxiety is.

I love the promise of perfect peace for those whose minds are stayed on the Lord. It reminds me that the direction of my thoughts matters. When I continually focus on everything that could go wrong, it’s much easier to become anxious or discouraged.

But when I intentionally turn my attention toward God, I’m reminded of His faithfulness.

That doesn’t mean ignoring problems or pretending difficult circumstances don’t exist. It means choosing not to let fear drive every decision. We can use wisdom, seek reliable information, make reasonable preparations, and still rest in the knowledge that God is with us.

Editor’s note – Notice how JM Troppello doesn’t claim to have it all figured out – she’s still praying about unresolved situations even as she writes this. That tension, trusting God while the outcome stays unknown, is where most of us actually live.

Choosing to Walk Forward in Faith

As I think back on my walk today, I’m reminded of how much I appreciate those quiet moments outdoors. Feeling the sunshine on my face, seeing the beautiful blue sky, and enjoying the gentle breeze gave me an opportunity to slow down and reflect on God’s goodness. It reminded me that even when the world feels uncertain, so many blessings are still right in front of us.

I’ve been learning a lot about trusting God one step at a time. There are situations in my life and family that I’m still praying about, and I don’t know exactly how everything will work out. But I’ve seen God’s faithfulness in so many ways, and those experiences encourage me to keep trusting Him.

I don’t need to know every detail of what tomorrow will bring.

I do need to be responsible with what God has entrusted to me, make wise decisions, and continue moving forward in faith. Sometimes that means taking practical steps to prepare for unexpected circumstances. Other times it means recognizing that I’ve done what I reasonably can and choosing to stop worrying about things outside my control.

I believe there’s a balance between wisdom and trust. We shouldn’t ignore real responsibilities, but we also shouldn’t allow imagined possibilities to consume our lives. God has given us the ability to think, plan, and prepare, and He’s also invited us to trust Him with the things we cannot foresee.

And I’m thankful that I can do both.

No matter what’s happening politically, financially, or in the world around us, God remains the same. His character doesn’t change with an election result, a news headline, or an unexpected challenge. He is still good, still faithful, and still worthy of our trust.

I want to continue staying informed about what’s happening in the world, but I don’t want to spend my days living in fear of what might happen next. I want to appreciate the blessings God has given me, use the opportunities and resources I have responsibly, and keep my focus on Him.

Sometimes that means turning off the news, stepping outside, and enjoying a beautiful afternoon walk. Sometimes it means spending time in prayer, reading Scripture, or reminding myself of the ways God has provided in the past. And sometimes it simply means choosing to trust Him with the next step, even when I can’t see what lies ahead.

I’m so thankful that our hope as Christians doesn’t depend on the circumstances around us. Our hope is found in Jesus Christ, and we can continue walking forward with faith, wisdom, and peace.

How do you balance staying informed and prepared for life’s uncertainties without letting fear take over? What helps you stay focused on God when the world around you feels unsettled?

A Word from the Editor
JM Troppello’s walk is a small picture of a larger discipline: choosing, repeatedly, where to fix our eyes. Isaiah promised perfect peace to the mind stayed on God, not the mind that has mastered every variable. We can vote, prepare, and stay informed – all of that is good stewardship – but none of it was ever meant to carry the weight that belongs to God alone. “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5). That’s still the better way to walk into an uncertain week.

Editor Comment: This gentle reminder that our peace rests in God's sovereignty rather than election outcomes or emergency plans is exactly the kind of steadying word many readers need right now.

This article appeared on Medium and is reprinted with modifications and by permission.