Submitted by Curtis Tucker
Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5-6)
Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5-6)
Are you worried about your future? (part 5)
Many of us are worried. We're concerned about our families; aging parents, a rebellious child, a troubled marriage. We're concerned about our finances; what if I lose my job, what about saving for retirement, what about all the debt I have. We can certainly get stuck worrying about the future. But, God has promised us a couple of things that give us assurance that the future does not have to cause us great worry. He says that His will is good, pleasing and perfect. And, He will show us which path to take. This should give us confidence that as we step into the future God steps with us.
Even if you are dealing with family situations, or financial struggles, or challenges to your faith, remember your present is not your future. This is not the end of your story! God has an awesome plan for your life!
For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. (Jeremiah 29:11, NLT)
Here are some important “don’ts” as we contemplate the future:
Don't worry- "Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done." (Philippians 4:6, NLT)
Don't assume- “What you ought to say is, ‘If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that.’" (James 4:15, NLT)
Don't plan without prayer- "We can make our own plans, but the Lord gives the right answer." (Proverbs 16:1, NLT)
Don't procrastinate– “Do you not say, 'Four months more and then the harvest'? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest” (John 4:35, NIV)
What will you do about your worries of the future? How can you put into practice these Scriptures? Pray that God gives you His peace over the concerns for the future.
