It is extremely easy to be afraid or unsure of the future. Especially in our modern day, it can feel very frightening to face the future. To be afraid of the future is to be afraid of the unknown. It is not uncommon to be afraid of the unknown because we do not know what is going to happen. Think about where you were 5-10 years ago. A lot can change over the course of time.
Loved ones can pass away, major job changes can happen, and finding your place in a new city are all things that can happen. People change, places change, and circumstances change. If you had told me ten years ago that my mom would have passed away in less than those ten years, I would have never believed you. It is due to these things that we are afraid to think of the future. We never know what will happen and this causes us to be afraid. If you are afraid of the future, know that you are not alone. Most people have struggled with feelings of fear concerning the future at some point in their lives.
However, even though it is common does not mean it is okay. God does not want you to be afraid of the future. The Lord died in order for you to have life and to have life to the fullest (John 10:10). Never forget this truth. He does not want you to live out your days in fear. Rather, He wants you to live a life of freedom, peace, and love (2 Timothy 1:7).
To the woman who is afraid of the future, remember the truth that God is with you. Similar to you, I also have fears of the future. I worry about a family member or a friend passing away. Not to mention I worry about physical health issues, mental health issues, and problems that could hurt my loved ones. Maybe you also feel the same and you are worried about your loved ones. When you are worried about your loved one’s health or your own health, remember to turn to God.
While I cannot promise you that you or your loved ones will be freed from anything bad happening, I can promise that God will always be with you. Isaiah 41:10 says, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” This is a sure promise from God that He will never leave you. Whenever you are feeling afraid of the future, remind yourself of this verse and the truth that God will never leave you.
The future may not be what you expect and there might be a few unexpected challenges; however, you can know you will never be walking alone. God is always with you and He will uphold you with His mighty hand. As mentioned, my mom passed away many years ago, yet God has never left my side. It is only by Him that I have been able to work through the pain and keep going despite all of the tears. No matter what you have to face in the future, God is not going anywhere. He will forever be by your side.
Giving your worries over to God is also important to help you face the future with confidence. It should be noted that even if you are confident in the future, things can still change; however, it is important to also remain confident in the future God has for you even if things do not go according to plan. It could be that your plans to change jobs, move to a new city, and start over get changed at the last minute when you hear of your mother’s unwanted diagnosis. Or maybe you are looking for a partner to get married and have a family, only to realize that is not God’s plan for your life.
It is okay to grieve and mourn at these times. In fact, it is healthy and normal to grieve things that you really wanted or were looking forward to. With your plans being changed and your present-day life not looking as you think it should, it can cause you to have a great amount of anxiety and worries. Give all of these worries to God (1 Peter 5:7). He will uphold you and carry your concerns. Trust Him with your pain and allow Him to heal your heart.
Even if things are going as planned, your future could change rather quickly. Make it a priority beforehand to go ahead and give these worries over to God. Don’t allow these things to completely tear you down or cause you to fall into depression. As mentioned, it is okay to grieve and mourn but don’t let it overtake your entire life. Ultimately, all things are up to God and nothing happens without Him knowing. God can work all things out for your good, even the bad things (Romans 8:28).
Connecting with others is also a great option if you are afraid of the future. By connecting with others, it will help you feel less alone. Chances are that they are equally afraid of the future. Being afraid of the future is not something that is usually talked about, yet it is something most of us have experienced at one point or another. Being honest with others and telling them about your feelings about the future will help you not be as afraid anymore.
Trusted Christian loved ones will help point you back to Christ and remind you that everything is in His control. Scary things might happen, but God is bigger than all of these things. Your loved ones will be able to help you remember this truth as well as share any advice they have found helpful in facing their fears about the future. This will be especially true if you are talking to older and mature Christians. To have a mature Christian in your life is a huge blessing as they can provide you with much godly wisdom.
God did not create us to walk through this life alone. Rather, God wants us to have fellowship with Him as well as other believers. Talk with the believers in your life about your fears and allow them to support you. God will also help you as you turn to Him in prayers. While it is true being afraid of the future might endure throughout your life, you can choose to do all you can to trust God and be brave. Being brave doesn’t mean you are not afraid—rather it means you are afraid, but you do the scary thing anyway.
Life is uncertain and there are many unexpected things that can happen. The loss of a job, the ending of a relationship, or the death of a loved one are all things that can change your life. When these times happen, turn to God. Don’t run away from Him—run towards Him. It is also important to know that these things could happen in the future, but they might not. It is possible that even through the uncertainty of the future that God is preparing for you something that is far greater than you could ever imagine. God has a way of making something beautiful out of something that was once in ruins.
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