…INTROSPECTION TIME WITH JBM
I HAVE always known that life is full of uncertainties. However, this time around in the wake of covid 19, I feel that these uncertainties have become even more vivid and insurmountable for human comprehension.
Lately, no day passes without news of loss of beloved ones, family and friends being sick, people losing their jobs and sources of income among others. Fear and anxiety in many is a normal trend leading to increased stress.
Being uncertain is simply being unsure of what tomorrow brings. It is a feeling that reminds you that you are often not in full control of life’s circumstances.
Like Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of needs theory, one of the needs humans crave for is a sense of security and safety. When these are not guaranteed, then life becomes extremely unpredictable.
This article is for someone who has been faced with pain, helplessness, fear and anxiety due to their experiences.

Image on Uncertainties of Life
Over the time, I have been developing a few techniques helpful in easing my anxieties and the way I have been viewing the uncertainties of life, hopefully someone can be encouraged:
- Accept that life will always be uncertain, and thus you can never be in control of everything. Live one day at a time and remain hopeful for tomorrow.
- Reflect on issues that have been triggering discomfort, tension and negative feelings and ascertain how important they are to you. Work on your mind set as it remains key to exert positive energy. Remind yourself of how God is an ever present help in times of trouble.
- Manage your worry. They say more often than not, most issues we tend to be worried about never come to pass. ‘Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and supplication, let your requests be made known unto God……Philippians 4:6-7(NIV)
- Find someone you can talk to and share your fears and anxiety. This helps you to recharge your own ability to withstand the overwhelming feeling of uncertainties. Resolve to talk to God about anything that could be bothering you.
- Absorb yourself into something which has power to distract you at the same time trigger a sense of purpose and peace. I often try out reading on some topic of interest, some recipes, décor ideas among others. This technique has been so helpful that I tend to generate unknown ideas for my next project and gives me a sense of meaning.
Above all, the guiding principles in all these are that: While the present and future remains so uncertain to you, it is never so with God.
God is always working out situations behind our scenes even when it feels like He is absent.
God is in our everyday circumstances assuring us of His presence and reminding us not to fear, but be of good courage.
When we feel overwhelmed with fear and anxiety, helplessness and hopelessness, Psalm 121 reminds us He remains our help in times of trouble. God never slumbers, and He remains our shed on our right hand.
It is better to hold on to the God of uncertainties who knows the end from the beginning. He is the one who assures us that He has good plans for our lives, plans to give us a future and a hope, Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV).
Quote:
Everything happens for a reason. life puts you down, only so you can get back up for the better things. Live life, forgive and forget. Let go of the past. – Hussein Nishah
For the next version of introspection Time with JBM, check Kalemba every Wednesday.
Author: Joan Beulah Mute , is a Lecturer in Research Methods, Sociology and Law and Ethics in Public Health at the University of Lusaka.
For feedback or reactions, email joanbeulah@yahoo.com or follow on Facebook @Joan Mwanza Mute and Twitter @JoanMute OR whatsspp me on 0966433373