Trusting God in Uncertain Times: Watching Pharaoh in the Rearview Mirror
- Carissa Dore
- Jul 8
- 6 min read
Did you know that researchers have found that uncertainty can be more stressful than receiving bad news? It turns out that our brains crave predictability. We like to know what is coming next, even when the news is difficult. The unknown has a way of filling in the blanks with worst-case scenarios (Grupe & Nitschke, 2013).
Personally, I did not need a research study to convince me of this. I have lived it. More than once.
Anthony and I lived in Spokane, Washington, for four years. During that time, we often talked about moving someday. We dreamed about warmer weather, palm trees, and life near the ocean. We had our sights set on Florida. It had always felt like our Promised Land, although we were not entirely sure how or when we would get there. Still, we were open to wherever God might lead. If it meant leaving long winters behind for sunshine and warmer weather, we were willing to consider it.
In 2006, we finally sensed that the time had come to move.
At first, we were planning on Texas. Anthony was interested in Baylor University's social work program, and we began imagining what life there might look like. We put our house on the market and started making plans.
There was only one problem. Our house would not sell. For ten months, it sat on the market.
Ten months. We changed real estate agents. We lowered our expectations. We watched news anchors announce that the housing market was crashing and wondered if we had chosen the worst possible time in modern history to sell a house. Month after month, we waited, prayed, and checked in with our realtor.
Nothing.
Then life took an unexpected turn. Anthony was not accepted into Baylor's advanced standing program, so we began reconsidering our options.
We decided to attend Liberty University together instead. We realized if we took their online masters program, we could live anywhere. As we prayed and talked, our long-standing dream of Florida resurfaced. The more we discussed it, the more convinced we became that Florida was where God was leading us. Then we made the decision to move to Florida. Within weeks we received an offer. Coincidence? Maybe. Divine timing? That is still my vote.
We packed everything we owned into a moving truck and began our cross-country adventure. We should have been soaking in the experience. We were driving across America, starting a new chapter, and following a dream we had carried for years.
Instead, somewhere in the middle of our trip, while driving through areas with approximately three bars of cell service every other Tuesday, our realtor started calling. The buyers had concerns.
As it turned out, the concern was that we had not left the washer and dryer. Now, these were not shiny new appliances. This washer and dryer set was about seven years old. We had already given them to our neighbors, who had become dear friends during our years in Spokane. None of those details mattered in the moment.
Even though the house had already closed and the check had already cleared the bank, fear took over. We became convinced that somehow the entire deal was about to unravel because of a seven-year-old washer and dryer.
Fear is rarely logical.
The stress became so overwhelming that Anthony ended up in the emergency room in Wyoming with what was ultimately diagnosed as a panic attack.
Looking back, we often ask ourselves, "Why didn't we simply enjoy the trip?"
The answer is surprisingly simple.
We were too busy watching Pharaoh in the rearview mirror.
The Israelites found themselves doing something very similar in Exodus 14. God had delivered them from slavery and was leading them toward the Promised Land. Then Pharaoh and his army appeared behind them. The Israelites looked back and saw chariots. They looked ahead and saw the Red Sea. Fear quickly replaced faith.
What they could not see was that God was already moving into position. All they had to do was keep trusting God in uncertain times, even when they could not yet see what He was doing.
Scripture tells us that the angel of God and the pillar of cloud moved behind Israel and stood between the Israelites and the Egyptian army (Exodus 14:19-20, New Living Translation [NLT], 2015). While Israel was panicking, God was protecting. While they imagined the worst, God was preparing a way through the sea.
God was doing something similar for us.
After a quick phone call—once we finally had cell service—we told our neighbors what was happening. They made sure the buyers received the washer and dryer. The crisis that had consumed so much of our attention was resolved. We continued our journey, and nearly twenty years later, we are still in Florida.
When I look back on that season now, I can see God's faithfulness all over the story. I just could not see it at the time.
Trusting God in the Hard times: Why Uncertainty Feels So Hard
There is a reason seasons of uncertainty feel so exhausting. Research suggests that uncertainty itself can intensify stress and anxiety because human beings are wired to seek predictability and safety (Grupe & Nitschke, 2013). When we do not know what will happen next, our minds often begin filling in the gaps with worst-case scenarios.
We certainly did.
Anthony and I convinced ourselves that our cross-country move and financial future might unravel because of a seven-year-old washer and dryer. Looking back, it sounds absurd. In the moment, however, it felt entirely plausible.
Perhaps you have done the same.
Maybe you have convinced yourself that a medical test will certainly bring bad news, that a difficult conversation will end a relationship, or that a financial setback means disaster is inevitable. Fear has a remarkable ability to take incomplete information and create elaborate stories.
The Israelites did something similar at the Red Sea. They looked at Pharaoh's army and assumed their story was over. God, however, was still writing the story.
Perhaps He is still writing yours as well.
Looking for the Pillar of Cloud
Exodus 14 tells us that as Pharaoh approached, the angel of God and the pillar of cloud moved behind Israel and stood between the Israelites and the Egyptians (Exodus 14:19-20, NLT, 2015). While the people focused on the threat, God positioned Himself between His people and their enemy.
I wonder how often God does the same for us. How often is He protecting, providing, guiding, and making a way while we are focused on what is chasing us?
Perhaps your pillar of cloud looks like a supportive friend, a timely phone call, an unexpected financial provision, a closed door that redirects you, or simply the strength to take the next faithful step.
God's provision is not always dramatic. Sometimes it looks like neighbors delivering a washer and dryer.
Maybe you are watching your own Pharaoh in the rearview mirror right now.
Perhaps it is a health concern, a financial decision, a relationship struggle, or an uncertain future. You may feel trapped between what is behind you and what lies ahead.
If so, remember this: the same God who stood between Israel and Pharaoh still stands with His people today. While you are worrying, He is working. While you are waiting, He is making a way. One day, you may look back and realize that while you were focused on what was chasing you, God was already leading you safely forward.
Reflection Questions
Take a few moments to consider these questions:
What "Pharaoh" keeps appearing in your rearview mirror?
Where in your life are you experiencing uncertainty right now?
Can you identify a previous season when you later recognized God's faithfulness?
What evidence of God's presence can you see in your current circumstances, even if the path ahead remains unclear?
A Prayer for Uncertain Seasons
Lord, uncertainty often stirs fear in my heart. I confess that I frequently focus on what is chasing me instead of looking for Your presence. Help me remember that You are already at work, even when I cannot see what You are doing. Give me the courage to trust You with the unknown and the wisdom to recognize Your faithfulness along the way. Thank You for making a way through situations that seem impossible. Amen.
This Week's Invitation
Take ten minutes this week to write down one difficult season from your past. Describe what you feared at the time and then list the ways you now see God's faithfulness in that story. Your past testimony may strengthen your faith for the season you are walking through today.
If this reflection resonated with you, I would love to hear from you in the comments. What "Pharaoh" are you tempted to watch in your rearview mirror right now?
Further Reading
Exodus 13-14
Psalm 46
Isaiah 43:1-3
Matthew 6:25-34
Romans 8:28
Philippians 4:6-7
References
Grupe, D. W., & Nitschke, J. B. (2013). Uncertainty and anticipation in anxiety: An integrated neurobiological and psychological perspective. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 14(7), 488-501. https://doi.org/10.1038/nrn3524
The Holy Bible, New Living Translation. (2015). Holy Bible. Tyndale House Publishers. (Original work published 1996)
Want to see our trip from Washington to Florida?
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