How to Live With Uncertainty

How to live with uncertainty is an ever present problem⎯the uncertainties which suddenly change plans and prospects. Young men, for example, are sometimes suddenly taken away from pursuing life’s preparation⎯for military service or other circumstances⎯and older men are sometimes taken from their families and professions, with much adjusting of their lives to altered plans and purposes.

This we would say to all who face such uncertainties: Go ahead with your life, your plans, your preparation, as fully as you can. Don’t waste time by stopping before interruptions have started. Keep going forward, and keep your courage and faith in the future. The world will always need the best-prepared people⎯and you must not needlessly hold back or slow down the pace of preparation that is necessary for fullest effectiveness. Don’t quit or slow down sooner than is absolutely essential. The wise keep learning, keep preparing for life, and don’t let uncertainties dissuade them from moving forward.

Even when interruptions come, whenever they come make the most of every time and opportunity. Wherever you are, you take your thoughts with you, you take yourself with you. Wherever you are, you can think; you can read, you can study, you can learn. You can use the in-between times for profitable and constructive purposes.

In idleness it is all too easy to become cynical, to become careless, and to fall into questionable conduct, for evil always offers itself. So wherever you go, keep intent on solid plans and purposes. Don’t succumb to uncertainty and don’t feel sorry for yourself. No generation was ever sure it wouldn’t be delayed or diverted from its plans and purposes. Few lives are ever lived without difficulties or disappointments.

Have faith, and justify the faith of others in you⎯the faith of loved ones and of others also⎯remembering wherever you are to be a gentleman, a man of honor. You take yourself with you, and you will want to be worthy to bring yourself back, and to be comfortable in good and beloved company.

Keep faith with the Lord God who gave you life. Keep close to Him in humble prayerfulness, in clean conduct, and your heart will find peace in all assignments and circumstances. Build for the future. Go forward in faith. Don’t let any period become a blank in your program of progress. “Lift up your hearts. Be not afraid.” Know that He is⎯and that He is mindful of you and will not leave you alone.