“You do not have to know it all; you do have to know that what you know is true.”

Have you ever known someone who thought they “knew it all?” Pretty annoying, isn’t it? It must be a terrible burden to have to know it all, and be right every time. No person really is a “know it all,” just a few who think they are and want everyone else to believe they are.

Truly, no one can possibly know everything there is to know. I count myself fortunate when I know the things that I should know, and extremely blessed when I know the things I need to know. Sometimes I am grateful when I can just remember what I did know!

The truly well educated person merely learns how much he still does not know. I heard someone say “Everyone is ignorant, just not in the same area.” Conversely then, it could be assumed that everyone, even the youngest or least educated, has knowledge in some area. Another observed, “A little knowledge is a dangerous thing,” especially if you think that is all there is to know.

The Bible says, “Knowledge makes you arrogant, but love edifies . . we never really know enough until we recognize that God alone knows it all.” 1 Corinthians 8:1-2 NAS/The Message.

Worry usually results from what we do not, or cannot, know. Chronic and unrelenting worry comes when you are trusting yourself more than you are trusting God – Who alone knows all things, and Who alone “works all things according to the counsel of His own will.” Ephesians 1:11.

Worry is the fruit of trying to successfully control and change your circumstances and fate, only to find there is so much unknown and uncontrollable by you. “Mere mortals can’t run their own lives . . men and women don’t have what it takes.” Jeremiah 10:23 The Message.

That you can’t know it all is not a bad thing. That certainly makes you more interdependent on others and appreciative of them; that encourages your humble and grateful dependence on God, the true source of all wisdom and knowledge.

Here is where Paul discovered peace in his limited knowledge, “For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.” 1 Corinthians 13:9. Don’t get anxious about the part that you don’t know, which is exactly where you fret most. God says there is a part that you do know! Dwell in what you do know; deal with what you don’t. That’s the part – what you know is true from God – from which you “prophesy . . for edification, exhortation, and comfort.” 1 Corinthians 14:3.

You do not have to know it all; you do have to know the One who does, and know that what you know is true. There you will find confidence to live with assurance and trust in God. “When the (One who is) perfect comes, the partial will done away . . now I know in part, but then I shall know fully just as I have been fully known (by God).” 1 Corinthians 13:10,12 NAS.

My prayer for you is that you know and love the only One who is the fount of all truth!