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I used to worry about the future all the time.
I’m a goal-setter and an achiever, and one of my biggest fears has always been that I will somehow miss the plans God has for me.
I’ve worried about where I am in life, how I’m spending my time, and what I’m focusing on.
I wondered how experiences, goals, and decisions fit in to my future, and I found myself questioning:
“Is this where I’m supposed to be?”
“How do I decide if this is what God has for our family?”
Have you ever felt that same way? Do you ever worry that the circumstances of the life you’re living right now might be a wasted?
All of those years, I put so much pressure on myself, fearing that if I didn’t do x, y, or z, I would be unprepared for the calling God has on my life.
The reality is, I never knew what the future held, but I worried that because I didn’t know, I’d never be prepared! The question haunting my soul was this — How can I prepare for an unknown future?
In all of those moments of worry and doubt, the words of my wise and godly grandpa would come flooding back to my mind:
“The best way to prepare for the future is to do your best where you are right now” (Dr. George Sweeting).
We may not know what the future holds, but we serve a God who does.
We are called to be faithful in the little, with the little, for the little, right now, and trust God with the rest.
We are where we are, when we are for a reason. God has placed us here, now!
So when anxiety begins to rise, take captive every thought and fight against the feelings of worry. Instead of being led by fear, cling to the truth and the promises of Scripture.
When we wonder about our futures, we can take comfort in the fact that
“all the days ordained for me were written in [His] book before one of them came to be” (Psalm 139:16).
and His plans for us are plans to prosper us and not to harm us, plans to give us a hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11).
We must consciously reflect on the truth that
“in all things, God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28).
We can reflect on God’s character and how He feels about us!
- He chose me (Ephesians 1:4)
- He sees my every move (Psalm 139:1-7)
- He has compassion on me (Psalm 145:9)
- He dearly loves me (Colossians 3:12)
- He delights in me (Zephaniah 3:17)
- He is always with me (Matthew 28:20)
“The Lord is faithful to all his promises and loving toward all He has made. The Lord upholds all those who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down. The eyes of all look to You, and You give them their food at the proper time. You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing… He fulfills the desires of those who fear him.” (Psalm 145:13-16, 19)
Friend, if you have ever worried about your future, wondered how to prepare, or feared that you might miss God’s calling on your life, hold fast to these truths and remember — you are where you are for a reason.
Soak up all you can where God has placed you. He is using this, right now, as a training ground for the future.
Are we willing to do our best and pour ourselves out wherever we are right now? Are we willing to stop being distracted by all of the “what ifs” and comparisons?
We can prepare for our futures by being the women God has called us to be in our present life circumstances and, by faith, leave the rest in His ever capable hands.
That is the best way to prepare for the future.
“Every experience God gives us, every person He puts into our lives, is the perfect preparation for a future only He can see” (Corrie ten Boom).
*Edited from the archives.
LOVE this! Thank you for speaking such truth that we so need to hear!
I have dealt with that same fear often. It just seems too important not too – silly right? I agree with your post too, about living in the now and knowing it is part of God’s plan. I also got a lot out of Dannah Gresh’s book Five Little Questions, which dealt with living your life with a God-purpose plan. (there is a post on my blog about it, if you are intrigued) thanks for the post, it was great
Marissa @ forfunreadinglist.blogspot.com
Marissa, yes! I’d love to read it! Send me the link. I’m not familiar with that book but sounds like one I might need to read! :)
This is just beautiful. Thank you so much! <3