Not long ago, I heard a number of government officials say about the Iranian leadership, “We don’t know who’s in charge.” That means that, to acknowledge that you do not know who is in charge, the best approach depends on the level of formality required and often uses phrases that suggest a “gap” in information or a decentralized structure. Some key phrases are: “Unclear.” In other words, the chain of command is currently unclear, or “The decision-maker is unknown.” Also, “Unassigned” indicates no specific person has ownership yet. Then “Vague” describes a situation in which power is not clearly defined. This is followed by: “I am not sure of the current hierarchy.” Admits ignorance of the structure respectfully. “I’m unsure who holds the final approval.” Specifically highlights not knowing the ultimate decision-maker. That is an awful state to be in when an answer is needed quickly; destruction will come soon.

So I wanted to find out what psychologists have to say about not knowing who’s in charge of your opposition. While there isn’t one specific “theory of the unknown leader,” psychologists generally categorize the experience of not knowing who is in charge of your opposition as a high-stakes form of ambiguity. Psychological research and theory highlight several key impacts of this specific type of uncertainty: One of them is that vagueness is a primary trigger for stress because the brain cannot form a clear mental model to predict future threats. Another one is perceived threats: When an opponent’s leadership is unknown, you may perceive them as more threatening or unpredictable than they actually are. This is followed by being domineering: This uncertainty can lead to a state of hyperarousal, where you are constantly “on edge” and scanning for danger because you don’t know where the next move is coming from. Also, in organizational or competitive settings, a lack of clarity about the opposition’s leadership often pushes people toward “defensive decision-making”—choosing the safest possible route rather than the most effective one to avoid personal or professional risk. Also, the fear of making the “wrong” move against an invisible leader can lead to hesitation and delayed progress. 

Then we come to the trying to negotiate without a clear leader to humanize or negotiate with, the opposition is often flattened into a faceless “them.” This makes it easier to project your fears onto the opposition, making you more entrenched in your views and less likely to seek common ground. If the unknown opposition is imposing rules or limits on you, you may experience an intense urge to rebel simply because you feel an “invisible” force is threatening your freedom. This often results in doing the exact opposite of what is requested, even if it isn’t in your best interest. Interestingly, some psychologists note that a faceless or “generalized” adversary can sometimes be a powerful internal motivator, because an unknown opponent can’t be “defeated” in a traditional sense; they can serve as a permanent, driving force that pushes an individual or group to improve, as seen in competitive sports or high-stakes business environments. 

But my main goal was to see what the Bible said about not knowing who is in charge of our universe. The Bible teaches that although humanity may sometimes feel lost or uncertain about who is in control, God is the absolute Sovereign over the universe. It describes a world in which people’s limited knowledge or “senseless hearts” may lead them to ignore or be unaware of their Creator, yet it asserts that God’s authority remains constant regardless of human awareness. However, the Bible presents God not just as the creator, but as the active sustainer of everything in existence. That means God has established His throne in the heavens, and His kingdom rules over all. Consequently, the earth and everything in it belongs to God because He founded it. Furthermore, all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Jesus the Christ. In Him, all things “hold together.”

But there are things that people might not know. The Bible explains that human understanding is naturally limited and can be clouded by various factors. Therefore, human knowledge is described as “very limited” compared to God’s infinite understanding. Romans 1:20–21 notes that although God’s power is clearly seen in creation, people often fail to honor Him, leading to “futile” reasoning and “darkened” hearts. That’s because the “whole world lies in the power of the evil one,” which can create confusion about true ultimate authority. Nevertheless, even when circumstances are confusing, the Bible encourages trusting in a higher purpose. Scripture suggests there is no such thing as “coincidence” or “luck” in God’s administration of the universe. Even in difficult times, God is said to be working all things together for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. While we may not understand His ways, His purpose will ultimately stand. Never confuse yourself by saying you don’t know who is in charge of our universe and everlasting future.

As a recent song sung by Twila Paris puts it: “This is no time for fear; this is a time for faith and determination, don’t lose the vision here, carried away by emotion, hold on to all that you hide in your heart. There is one thing that has always been true: it holds the world together. God is in control.
We believe that His children will not be forsaken, God is in control. We will choose to remember and never be shaken there is no power above or beside Him, we know God is in control, oh God is in control.”