Fear of the Future

-

The future of our personal lives can fill us with apprehension. It is a great unknown, fertile soil for anxiety and worry. Since we do not know what it holds, we often fill in the gaps with what we believe about the world. Our experiences and past can emotionally shape how we handle what may lie ahead, or our perceptions of it. The more unsure we are, the more unease increases.

Feeling as if we own no control in life can cause a great deal of turmoil, yet we have little ultimate control over outcomes and circumstances. We seek comfort in being the master of the details of our lives, but will encounter trials, trouble sometimes hits, and tragedy may visit us. To seek control we do not possess adds to inner conflict.

Though life is full of difficulty, outright disaster is a possibility not a certainty. It can also be a matter of how we perceive something, rather than objective reality. Fear conveys the sense of heightened and known certainty, though it is not known. Panic tells us even a remote possibility is a definite real-time actuality. These emotions send a message which shouts of dread and anxiety. Most of the time they lie to us, we cannot foretell the future. 

While we cannot discern what the future holds, we can be assured of the character of God. If we have accepted Christ, our welfare is safe in His hands. He is utterly trustworthy. That does not mean our lives will be perfect and without trials. It is God’s purpose not to shield us from trouble, but to use it to shape our relationship with Him. Our heavenly Father is more interested in our spiritual growth than our temporary comfort. He will empower us in our weakness, fill us with His peace, and be our steadfast joy. We step out on our journey holding this in our hearts, confident not in ourselves, but in an awesome God. Instead of dread, we call to mind the hopeful potential the unknown may bring in the loving-kindness of God. Our lives become an epic pilgrimage in the joy of the love of Christ shining rays of grace throughout our days.

He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” (Psalm 46:10)

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

 How to have a personal relationship with God 

Can I pray for you or someone you know today? Visit the Share Your Prayer Request page.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Finality and Hope

-
Image
In life we experience many endings. Those things we wish would remain and last slip through our hands like grains of sand. The list of them is lengthy and varied, occurring so regularly it exists as an undercurrent or theme to mortality. For every exciting event, we feel a low when it is over. Relationships cease or are severed. Friendships, careers, physical wellness, youth, cherished periods of happiness, financial stability, all can come to an end. Some, such as youth, are guaranteed to if we live long enough, while the loss of parents, spouses, and loved ones bring sorrow.

I react to endings with a sense of deep sadness. Circumstances are fleeting. I feel the good should remain, yet it changes, it ends. My reaction may have a great deal to do with the formative years of my life. I do not think this response is uncommon, however. It is part of being human. Finality is painful. When loved ones pass or tragic events impact us, it seems wrong to us. Though inevitable, our hearts cry …
Read more

My Personal Testimony

-
Image
The following is my personal Christian testimony. I have never shared the full details before, though I have been very open about my struggles. This should in no way be assumed to be the normative or average experience of accepting Christ, it is that of a troubled man. It is because of the hope in this darkness I share it. (Note: This was originally shared in the September newsletter of Cross Road Baptist Church). 

I was 19 or 20 years old, living an isolated life with severe social anxiety. I had little contact with anyone, living in one room in my parents’ house. One day I went out to get the mail and found a tract on the ground in front of our mailbox. I brought it into my room and read it, discovering bible verses with how you can be saved. I accepted Christ. God had a unique way to reach me in my lonely life.

I can’t say everything became wonderful. I was spiraling downward with severe emotional and mental issues. It debilitated me for about 15 years, with severe problems affecti…
Read more

Why, God?

-
Image
Sometimes we may go through periods of pain and trial that are so traumatizing we experience defeat. We have nowhere to turn and feel alone. We may ask, why? Why God, why did you allow this? Why did this happen to me?

Such turmoil can cause a great deal of anguish, yet God can handle our questions. We can bring them to Him. The Bible is full of wounded cries to God. Job found himself in that position, as well as Jeremiah the prophet. They experienced deep suffering. The Psalms often articulate distress. An example: I am weary with my crying; my throat is parched; My eyes fail while I wait for my God. (Psalm 69:3).

The pain of our circumstances can distort our awareness of God’s nearness. Yet, rather than our trial causing us inner conflict with God, He alone is the source of our hope, comfort, and peace. He Himself, as our true, living, intimate, Father is the answer to our questions. This is not an abstract or vague hope. It is a sure as a relationship to Him in His Son Jesus Christ…
Read more