Five things to remember when you’re worried about the future

Important truths that will calm your fears.

Are you too dependent on your calendar? I definitely am.

I need a list of things in my life that are set in stone, but the calendar is constantly changing. Events get cancelled and added. In life, there are no certainties that I can write down on a planner with a Sharpie.

I set my expectations way too easily (and way too high). When my plans crash and burn, so do I.

It just seems like nothing stays the same.

But Jesus does.

He’s the only One who needs to stay the same. Even though my plans constantly change, the One in control of my plans has better ideas for me.

The only perfect plan is God’s

If I could see my life in 50 years, then I wouldn’t need God. I’d be in control of my own life, but I’d mess it up pretty badly.

Sometimes I find myself waiting for that perfect light bulb moment where I figure out my future—even though I know I should just trust God.

If I stay on God’s path and obey Him, I’ll know what I need to know when I need to know it. God has my future figured out already.

It’s just so hard to simply…wait.

Waiting for the future

What am I supposed to do while I’m waiting for everything to finally make sense? Simply stay on God’s path.

I’m not ready to know my future because right now, I’m dependent on me. I’m not waiting patiently. Maybe you’re not either.

I understand. It’s hard to watch your friends excitedly discuss their plans when you feel clueless. They seem to have it all figured out.

It’s okay. Get excited when you finish high school, start community college, get a new job, serve in church, or try new hobbies. Celebrate as you walk through this very season of life because it’s a gift.

Your life doesn’t start when you enter college, get a job, or get married. Your life doesn’t start when you figure out what to do with your life.

Your life doesn’t start when the lightbulb comes on—it’s already begun!

God knows best

Even if God revealed his step-by-step plan for my life, I’m not sure I’d be ready for it!

If God told me to be a missionary in Kenya, I’d be far from ready right now. I’d be kicking and screaming on the plane. So I need to wait patiently, knowing that He will guide me on my path at the right time.

As Christians, we don’t have to trust ourselves to come up with the best plan for the future, and that should be a relief!

“So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own” (Matthew 6:34).

“And which of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life’s span?” (Luke 12:25).

“‘For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart’” (Jeremiah 29:11-13).

We’re not supposed to worry about tomorrow because it makes us miserable. Trusting God brings peace. He promised that if we try to grow close to Him, He will let us find Him.

Remember this the next time you’re worried about the future

1. God’s plan and timing are perfect. You may doubt them at times, but that doesn’t mean He doesn’t love you and have the right life planned for you. When you’re supposed to know His will, you’ll know.

2. When you’re sitting up all night thinking about the path ahead, stop looking inward and start looking upward to God. Pray … and ask for His help.

3. Maybe you’re not ready to know the future yet. Sometimes knowing the future can be scarier than not knowing.

4. You aren’t the only one who is unsure of God’s will. There are many others just like you and me.

5. You can do things while you wait. This is the time to try new things and figure out what you enjoy. This is the time to think about the kind of person God wants you to be, before you figure out what he wants you to do.

Don’t rely on your planner, and don’t rely on yourself to create a good future. It won’t be nearly as wonderful as the one God has planned for you.