As believers we know exactly how salvation works. By grace, through faith, we are saved by the finished work of Jesus on the cross. So why do we continue to strive in our own strength?
A few years ago, when planning my daughter’s wedding, we simultaneously prepared for her to move twelve hundred miles away. She was beyond excited to start her new life but wasn’t sure what to take. Would she need winter clothes in the south? Would she need all the books she’d been collecting since childhood? In the end, she packed way more than she needed—just in case.
When preparing for an unknown future, it can be tempting to overthink, over plan, and over prepare. We try to cover all the bases and foresee every possible scenario, but in the end, it leaves us more anxious than ever.
There is a way to prepare for the future, requiring mental fortitude, spiritual discernment, and physical endurance. But the good news is you don’t have to prepare alone. The Holy Spirit equips you with everything needed for the days ahead.
Here are a few things to remember as you prepare for an unknown future:
Mental Fortitude Is More than Positive Thinking
My grandmother’s favorite saying was, “Live, laugh, love, and be happy,” a phrase she included in every birthday card and at the end of every phone call. She was the most positive person I’ve ever known, and just being in her presence was a joyful experience. Unfortunately, I didn’t inherit her positive vibes. In fact, I tend to live life on the grumpy side, fighting frustration at the smallest of things.
Mental fortitude is needed as we plan for the future, but it’s more than positive thinking or cheery platitudes. It’s a discipline that requires careful management of our thoughts, ideas, and beliefs.
Every Thought Must Be Taken Captive
2 Corinthians 10:5 says, “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”
The action words mentioned here are powerful. Paul says to “demolish arguments” and “take captive every thought.” The act of demolishing involves completely tearing something down and breaking it into pieces so it cannot be put back together. Think of it as demolishing the enemy’s lies in order to prepare for the future with peace and clarity.
By speaking truth aloud, in the mighty name of Jesus, walls of apprehension come tumbling down so that we can make wise decisions based on faith, not fear.
Every Idea Must Be Tested
As the days grow dark, false ideologies abound. Ten minutes on social media confirms the web of deception that threatens to entangle us. Being mentally prepared for the future requires us to test everything in the light of God’s Word.
Even in the church, we must be careful not to latch on to every idea offered. In speaking of prophecies, Paul said, “Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil” (1 Thessalonians 5:20-22 ESV).
Every Belief Must Be Aligned with God’s Truth
All of us hold to certain beliefs, and as Christians, our belief system should align with the Bible. However, this doesn’t mean we won’t be tempted to “go with the flow” and follow the crowd.
The danger of floating through life without clarity is the risk of drowning in a sea of false beliefs that make sense on the surface but are undercurrents of lies trying to pull us under.
The Bible is our trusted Guidebook—our resource for all things pertaining to life and godliness. It is the most comprehensive “Prepper’s Manual” you’ll find to help you prepare for an unknown future.
Spiritual Discernment Is Everything
I don’t know about you, but I’m grateful the Holy Spirit gives us discernment when needed. If left to our own devices, many of us would follow deceiving spirits, oblivious to the dangers ahead. While it’s true we cannot know every detail of the future, there are things we can be 100% certain of.
The Holy Spirit Is Our Guarantee
Ephesians 1:13-14 says, “When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.”
This means the Holy Spirit is here to stay. He is with you and dwells in you. Your life is marked with a seal—a promise—guaranteeing your inheritance. Your future is secure because the Lord is with you at all times in every way.
From this place of security, you can prepare for an unknown future with God’s holy power within. His still, small voice guides you in all discernment and truth.
We Are Assured of Eternity
When facing an unknown future, it’s best to keep the end in mind. Heaven is our home; this life is only the prequel. Our assurance of eternity is what helps us put one foot in front of the other, for we know this is not all there is.
With our eyes on heaven, we cannot help but be hopeful and prepared for whatever the future brings. Let the assurance of eternity with Jesus encourage you in the days ahead!
Physical Endurance Is Powered by Grace
A couple of years ago, I started jogging through my neighborhood. Because I was terribly out of shape, I set small goals such as “make it to the next mailbox” and “take three more steps before turning around.”
One afternoon, I took the grandkids with me. They happily rode their scooters alongside me, saying things like, “Way to go, Nana! I didn’t know fifty-year-olds could jog!” Needless to say, I felt pretty good about my newfound physical endurance.
Preparing for the future requires physical endurance powered by God’s grace. Without it, we are only running on fumes.
Here are a few key components of grace to keep you going in the days ahead:
Sufficient Grace
My favorite “grace” passage is probably familiar to you. It’s found in 2 Corinthians 12:9 when God reminded Paul, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
It’s taken me many years to understand this verse, but through life experience, I’ve seen the sufficient grace of God activated in my weaknesses.
-When feeling incapable, He’s enabled me to complete the task.
-When feeling unwell, He’s been my faithful Healer.
-When experiencing lack, He’s provided in abundance.
-When experiencing fear, His perfect love brought peace.
When the future seems daunting and we wonder what is next on the horizon, we can depend fully on God’s sufficient grace, which is plentiful, abundant, and more than enough.
Comforting Grace
Hebrews 4:16 (ESV) says, “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
Every time I read this passage I’m drawn into the Throne Room of Grace where my Abba Father waits with open arms. The train of His robe wraps gently around me with comfort and warmth, offering strength for an unknown future.
God’s comforting grace is our safe haven in uncertain times. When fear raises its ugly head, we can go immediately behind the veil and commune with our loving Father. And in that holy place, away from the chaos of the world around us, we are assured that He is still on His throne.
Saving Grace
As believers we know exactly how salvation works. By grace, through faith, we are saved by the finished work of Jesus on the cross. So why do we continue to strive in our own strength?
Ephesians 2:8-9 reminds us, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” In all our preparations, let’s stand on the eternal gift we’ve been given—the one and only true way to heaven. All other foundations will crumble, but the true foundation of Christ Jesus remains.
Yes, the future is uncertain, and we cannot see every bend in the road, but we can prepare with mental fortitude, spiritual discernment, and physical endurance. We don’t have to overthink, over plan, or over prepare. We can turn to the Source of wisdom, guidance, and provision every step of the way.
Photo Credit: ©Unsplash/Katie Moum
