Kristen Henderlong

Everyone grows up in a particular setting.  Everything you experience as a child influences who you become and how you see the world.  Every single person is unique and therefore, every single person sees the world differently.  This is considered one’s worldview.

Your worldview is the mental structure of all your ideas, perspectives, biases, beliefs, convictions and moral standards.  It influences your feelings and how you make decisions.  It can motivate your intentions, your reactions and your habits.  It contributes to and is influenced by society and the culture you live in.  It’s also often what initiates relationships and connections with others.

I have been fascinated by the subject of one’s worldview ever since college when I took classes like “Worldview” and “Cultural Competencies” and “World Religions.”  These classes deconstructed so much of my original worldview.  My perspective about everything broadened so much and has only continued to expand over the years. I don’t believe I had ever heard the term worldview used prior to these college courses. 

The challenges I faced as a result of this revelation were exponential.  My faith was tested so deeply.  I never expected this at a Christian University.  I thought I would grow in faith, not grow in doubt.  I was humbled against my will by the reality that there is SO much out there that I do not know.  

The moment I acknowledged and digested the fact that my ideas, perspectives and worldview were unique to me, I was dumbfounded.  Because I thought, “Now what?  How can I be certain of ANYthing anymore?”  That was the scariest thought I ever encountered as a young adult.  I mean, who am I to know or understand ALL of the worldviews out there?  Who am I to think my ideas, thoughts, convictions or beliefs are right against anyone else’s?

When you were a kid, did you ever play the trick on a friend where you pull their chair out of the way as they are about to sit down?  We used to do this in school sometimes to get a good laugh.  I know it was done to me before.  I went to sit down thinking my chair was right there and before I knew it my stomach was in my throat as I felt the thrill of the fall to the ground.

Well, talk about a thrill, when there I was planning to become a “minister”—someone who shares their faith with people who do not believe what I believe.  How was I going to do that now when I felt I had lost all assurance in what I thought I knew to be ‘right’ or ‘true?’  After learning my particular worldview and idea of God was literally one in a billion?… or more like one in 7 billion? Who was I to think I would have ANY ground to stand on?  I felt like somebody pulled the chair out from under me.  My stability was gone.

Don’t we all just want some assurance? Some stability and constancy?  Don’t we all just want to know the truth and be able to rest in something familiar and trustworthy?

My journey since those days has not been easy, but definitely adventurous and thrilling.  Some days are harder than others, but overall what I saw as a threat to my faith ended up lighting a fire in me to share with others how to acknowledge the vastness of worldviews and let God do the rest.

These days, instead of fear, I feel adrenaline.  I long for the rush of the unknowns and the eureka moments.  When my original worldview is tested, shattered or forced to open up, I don’t lose hope.  When I learn something new or God gives me a revelation about life, l feel like I’m flying instead of falling.  I’ve grown fond of the excitement and look forward to the twists and turns.

The key lesson I learned and want to leave with you is this:  trust over knowledge.  We don’t have to know to have stability.  It’s ok to let your worldview expand.  What does knowledge give you?  Knowledge (information, certainty) comes with more responsibility, more pressure, more self-assurance (emphasis on self), independence (or loneliness), power (or control).  But trust (assurance from God) gives you peace, freedom, community, connection, fearlessness, hope, and not just power, but complete victory.

Next time you feel like you’re falling, look for the opportunity to grow in trusting Him.  Doubt is not the end, it’s the beginning of more growth in your faith.  It’s not always comfortable at first, but the benefits far outweigh the alternative.

And it helps to remember: You are loved.