We just don’t know the outcome. No matter how obvious or outlandish a certain outcome may sound, the reality is that we just don’t know how life is going to turn out. The way we deal with that unknowing is to lean closer into our higher power and spiritual practice. Especially in situations where we have many emotions tied into certain outcomes, we are even more tempted to get into the realm of fantasy. We replay events that have happened in the past or obsess over every possible outcome for the future in an effort to anticipate and prepare for the unknowable. This is a producer of most of our discomfort and dissatisfaction in life.

When a situation is in my life that I am not happy with, it is usually because I believe 3 self-centered delusions:

  1. That if the current situation was different, I would be assured of a satisfactory future outcome.
  2. That the situation should be different than the way it is.
  3. That the situation has the power to bring me peace & serenity in the first place.

 

Facing difficult situations is not easy, and I don’t know anyone who walks with complete grace in the face of fear 100% of the time. But in times of uncertainty, I can bring into my mind these 3 delusions and acknowledge that they are just thoughts stemming from a very human desire to not experience pain. I can return to a spiritual solution and pray for the knowledge of who my higher power would have me be in this situation and for the power to carry that out, for my higher power to remove my fear and place me in a position to be of service to another person. This action lets me step aside and let my higher power show me its will. Then, it’s up to me to do what I intuitively feel is the next right action. This is how I practice and deepen my faith in the face of unknowingness. Practicing this over and over has given me an unshakeable sense of well-being even if my external circumstances are painful or stressful.