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We’re only two weeks away from selecting a president from two of the most polarizing candidates this nation has seen and I can’t help but notice more than their politics and beliefs, conversations have moved straight to what we’re going to do as a country when President Obama and the rest of one of the most beautiful first families has to leave. For the entire month of October we’ve talked about fear – the fear of people, the fear of saying no, the fear of failure (coming this Thursday). As I reflected on the many types of fear there are and our nation’s current climate, I thought it would be appropriate to talk about fear of the future.

Matthew 6:34 says “Therefore don’t worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” But we all know that’s easier said than done. It’s easier not to fear the future when we have some sense of expectation. But when uncertainty creeps its way into the picture, our faith disintegrates.

Think about it – for many of us, President Obama entering the oval office brought such high hopes that fear couldn’t help but be pushed to the outskirts of our emotion. But now, nearly 8 years later as we look to the future with no clear picture of what’s next some of us feel our only options are to plan a migration to Canada.

The thing is, this type of fear is so much bigger than who will be our next president. It’s about being intentional about who or what we choose to put our trust in. In Solomon’s description of a virtuous woman, he says “She is clothed with strength and dignity and laughs without fear of the future.” (Proverbs 31:25).

How is that even possible? For someone to sit and reflect on the future and actually be able to laugh about it?  I believe such a person follows the advice found in 2 Corinthians 4:18. “…do not focus on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”

I remember when I was called to move to New Orleans. I had all these plans of serving as a part of the City Year team in Miami. Upon completion of my service year I was going to attend Florida International University and pursue my Master’s in International Business. But God had other plans. I remember crying and calling my mom about it. I was upset because I couldn’t see a future for myself in New Orleans, I thought my future was in Miami. But here I am over the three years later thriving in a city I saw no future in.

I’ve grown spiritually, this is the city I got engaged in, I’ve developed friends who are like family, written a book, ministered to youth at different churches, been able to help start a camp and the list is continuing to be written. So while the uncertainty was daunting, the belief that God has my best interests in mind empowered me to move forward and take hold of the life and opportunities He predestined. I remembered how He came through for me when I had the same struggle with deciding to go the the University of Missouri.

So what’s the lesson? Like our plans, presidents will come and go. But as a women of faith, I know that God will always remain on the throne. As the hymn goes “I don’t know about tomorrow, I just live from day to day, I don’t borrow from its sunshine. For its skies may turn to gray, I don’t worry o’er the future, for I know what Jesus said and today I’ll walk beside Him, for He knows what is ahead, many things about tomorrow I don’t seem to understand. But I know who holds tomorrow and I know who holds my hand.”

Maybe you’re like many Americans, struggling to wrap your mind around who will be our next president. Maybe your concern is about a new job or moving to a city. Perhaps you’re nervous about what happens after graduation or you’re having a hard time being content in your season of singleness and find yourself constantly wondering if your future has a husband in it. Whatever your fear of the future involves, please understand that when you’re linked to the one who holds tomorrow, even in the midst of uncertainty you’ll be able to move forward in confidence.

Action Steps:

Write out what you’re afraid of – I have found that by putting things before my eyes and out of my mind, they somehow seem to decrease in size. They become tangible and as a result disposable. Because I get to decide not to b ruled by them.

This week take time to reflect on what or who you have put your trust in.

  • How has that helped or hurt you over the years?
  • Do you need to make any changes?

Share your thoughts in the comments. Know someone who struggles with fear? Be sure to share this post with them using our handy share buttons.

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