WAYS TO TRUST GOD IN UNCERTAINTY: RESPONDING BY FAITH 

By Durrell Dixon | Faith-Based Personal Development Coach & Christian Psychology Advocate

Standing at the Crossroads

At some point in our lives, we all stand at a crossroads, unsure of which direction to take. Maybe you've been there—paralyzed by doubt, wondering if you're strong enough, smart enough, or even spiritual enough to handle what lies ahead. In these moments, a silent conversation begins inside of us. We weigh our strengths. We judge our weaknesses. We calculate risk. And often, we freeze, caught in the grip of fear disguised as logic.

This moment is critical, not because of the situation itself, but because of what we believe in that moment. This is where faith enters, not just as a concept, but as a response. A way of being. A new direction to trust.

Let’s explore how self-evaluation, when done through the lens of God's truth, can actually become a launching pad for faith-driven action. Not paralyzing, but empowering. Not fear-based, but Spirit-led.

Self-Evaluation or Self-Limitation?

Self-evaluation is one of the most natural things we do as human beings. Psychologists refer to this as metacognition—the ability to think about our own thinking (Flavell, 1979). It’s the part of us that observes, analyzes, and assesses our performance and potential. In healthy doses, it promotes self-awareness, wise planning, and responsible living.

But here’s the catch: Self-evaluation can quickly turn into self-limitation when it's based solely on our human view of ourselves.

Take the example of Moses. When God called him to lead Israel, Moses didn’t respond with bold faith. He responded with excuses: “Who am I?”, “I am slow of speech” (Exodus 3:11, 4:10). Moses was evaluating himself through a human lens, and that lens distorted the divine assignment.

We do this too. We shrink back, not because God isn’t speaking, but because we’re looking at ourselves instead of looking at Him.

 God's Grace Reveals Our Capacity

The Apostle Paul gives a different way of thinking about human weakness in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10. After pleading with God to remove his “thorn,” Paul hears the Lord say, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”This wasn’t a denial of Paul’s weakness—it was a divine redefinition of it.

 Do you see what Paul is saying to us?  God's power, the force or energy to cause things, is not made complete apart from weakness, but IN it. The word for weakness is the Greek word astheneia -the reduction of strength due to illness or by a problem that acts like an illness because it reduces strength. 

Have you ever been confronted by a problem that drains your energy?  

God needs you to be strong, but not by relying on your human strength, because it will fade. And here's the problem: we don't always know when. God allows us to exhaust our strength to clearly see the difference between our strength and His. 

According to the concept of Self-Transcendence theory, particularly in a Christian context, the idea that reseliant and dependable strength comes not from self-reliance but from surrendering to a higher power—God—whose strength does not fade, enabling believers to thrive even when unaware of their own limitations (Bufford, Paloutzian, & Ellison, 2021). 

This concept is at the foundation of faith. It’s a shift in our perspective from a self-centered dependency on our strength to depending on Jesus for our strength. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13). That’s not just a motivational quote—it’s a kingdom truth.

Faith Helps Develop Our Mind 

Faith doesn’t ignore information—it integrates it. And modern psychology is catching up to what Scripture has said all along.

• Romans 12:2 says, “Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on one of the principles of faith found in Romans 12:2: that how we think affects how we feel and behave. It is effective for treating anxiety and fear (Beck, 2021). 

• 2 Timothy 2:15 "Be diligent to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who doesn’t need to be ashamed, correctly teaching the word of truth". Being teachable is vital to be proficient in the use of  Word is God. A Growth mindset helps you change and align by the truth revealed in 2 Timothy -  those who believe that their abilities can develop over time are more resilient and successful (Dweck, 2006).

We Don’t Deny Our Limitations, But We Investigate Them: 

How to Balance Self-Evaluation with Faith

So, how do we evaluate ourselves without limiting our faith?

1. Be honest—but not hopeless.
   Acknowledge your areas of growth without concluding that they define you. Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.”

2. Rely on God's strength, not just your skill.
   Your weakness is not a liability in the kingdom. It's a platform for God’s power.

3. Seek wisdom—divine and practical.
   James 1:5 promises that God gives wisdom generously when we ask. That includes wisdom to discern our path, process our fears, and proceed in faith.

4. Develop a growth mindset—spiritually and emotionally.
   Believe that you can grow in grace, maturity, courage, and obedience. You are not stuck. You are in the process.

5. Surround yourself with truth-tellers.
   Wise counsel is essential. Proverbs 15:22 reminds us: “Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.”

Think About This: What’s Really Guiding Your Response?

Every decision is a spiritual opportunity. Every challenge is a mirror, showing us what we truly believe about God, ourselves, and the situation.

Ask yourself:

• Am I responding from fear or faith?

• Is my self-evaluation based on the flesh or the Spirit?

• Am I allowing God's grace to shape my choices?

Your response matters. Not just for your peace of mind, but for your purpose in Christ. When we respond by faith, we don’t just change the outcome—we change ourselves.

---

Journal Reflection

• What is one situation right now where you're relying on your own strength more than God’s?

• What specific promise of God do you need to meditate on this week?

• In what area of your life is God asking you to trust Him more?

Let’s keep walking forward, not with self-confidence, but with God-confidence.

To you, the overcomer, your ability to respond in faith isn’t about being fearless—it’s about being faith-full. Every crossroad is a chance to choose God over self. Don’t let self-evaluation become self-sabotage. Let it become a doorway to deeper trust.

When your heart aligns with God’s heart, your response will reflect His power, not your pressure.

You are equipped. You are called. You are enough—because Christ is more than enough in you.

References:

Bandura, A. (1997). Self-efficacy: The exercise of control. New York: W.H. Freeman.

Beck, J. S. (2021). Cognitive Behavior Therapy: Basics and Beyond (3rd ed.). The Guilford Press.

Bufford, R. K., Paloutzian, R. F., & Ellison, C. W. (2021). Spiritual well-being: A review of the research and future directions. Journal of Psychology and Theology, 49(3), 174–187. https://doi.org/10.1177/00916471211015075

Dweck, C. S. (2006). Mindset: The New Psychology of Success. Random House.

Flavell, J. H. (1979). Metacognition and cognitive monitoring: A new area of cognitive–developmental inquiry. American Psychologist, 34(10), 906–911.

Holy Bible, New International Version. Scriptures used: 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, Philippians 4:13, James 1:5, Romans 12:2, Proverbs 3:5-6, Exodus 3-4.

. All Rights Reserved.