I am one of those who likes to know what to expect. I prefer knowing what is going to happen, even if it is unpleasant, rather than wondering what might be around the corner. I hate to admit, although I am an optimist by nature, I assume surprises are going to be bad.

Over the last years, uncertainty has been my constant companion. Even now, as I look out over the horizon of what is ahead, uncertainty looms big. In virtually every area of my life, I do not know what is ahead. In reality, none of us know what is coming next. Each day holds in it the unknown, which is unnerving, even for the most optimistic person. I feel like I have been learning the lesson of embracing uncertainty, not as an enemy, but as a teacher of hope. These lessons aren’t easy, but they are cultivating steadfast health and contentment deep within me. How do we come to embrace uncertainty when it is so uncomfortable?

• Begin by acknowledging the inevitability of uncertainty and the illusion of control – When we operate as if we are in control of all around us, then the loss of control frightens us. The illusion of control distorts our thinking. We influence the direction of our lives and choose how we respond to the unforeseen events and circumstances that greet our days, but we do not have control. We live healthier lives when we admit this truth.
• Mentally, begin to discipline your mind toward hope – When uncertainty confronts us, we can choose hope. We do this by getting our minds out ahead of our emotions. We acknowledge our emotions of fear or anxiety, but choose to act hopefully anyway. This becomes a powerful habit. We may always struggle with taming our emotions, but we can change the disposition of the day by beginning to grow this discipline.
• Learn to live one day at a time – When we come to accept that we cannot control our future, we are more able to live in the present. We let go of the future and celebrate today. For years, my family had to live with the uncertainty that came with quarterly scans for cancer for my daughter. The anxiety around those times was excruciating. The only way we could survive was to rejoice in the day we were living and leave the future for another day. The lesson learned – Let go and live now!
• See interruptions as divine appointments – Dietrich Bonhoeffer said, “We must allow ourselves to be interrupted by God.” Often, the sweetest, most meaningful moments of our days happen outside of our planned schedules. This is where we learn to turn uncertainty from a cause for fear, to an opportunity that we relish. We embrace the unplanned interruptions of our lives as divine appointments.

It has taken me a lot of years, but I am slowly learning that I can choose to embrace uncertainty as my friend. Begin today to reframe uncertainty as unexpected possibility.