Addicted to Certainty

By Chardonnay Beaver

American novelist Anne Lamott once said, “the opposite of faith is not doubt: It is certainty.”

In this generation, we have created systems that, overtime, convince us that we are in control. We download 15 apps, purchase 10,000 planners, and create habits to reject logical uncertainty.

We’ve clinged to the belief of certainty– that everything must happen as ‘we’ planned.

NEWS FLASH… that ‘certainty’ is simply an illusion. Thus, when life doesn’t adhere to our plans, many individuals revert to toddler-like tantrums.

Don’t get me wrong, organization is imperative to living a disciplined life. One can’t expect to receive new blessings if they don’t manage the blessings they currently have.

On the contrary, the addiction to certainty is harmful and detrimental to our quality of life. We, as humans, were all graced to limited authority. The more we try to control, the less control we possess. Along my journey, I have entertained this addiction.

The symptoms of this addiction is single-mindedness and pride. Individuals addicted to certainty have limited their capacity to one pursuit; tunnel visioned on making sure what they want happens ‘exactly’ as they want it. They’re prideful because rather than surrendering to the flow of life they prefer friction. Eventually, this friction creates a defeated mentality.

Words of Wisdom by Char of The Week:

What’s the problem with this addiction to certainty? We create an illusion that negotiates purpose. Purpose says that we were created for a ‘grander’ scheme, far more wonderful than what we could ever imagine. Thus, this addiction encourages us to place our plans before our purpose.

What is the treatment for curing this addiction to certainty? Surrender. Surrender to God, surrender to purpose. Surrenderance says that regardless of what the outcome may be, I will be okay. No circumstance has the power to hinder our purpose; whereas, circumstances can indeed interrupt our plans.

Consider the pandemic, then ask yourself “who’s really in control?” Jeremiah 29:11.