Are you feeling uncertain, anxious, and even fearful about the future? When it comes to the nation’s economy, the housing market, gas prices, our volatile health, and the stability of this country and this world, there can be much to cause fear or anxiety.
Yet God’s Word is full of assurance that our future, as those who trust in Him, is hopeful and our eternal destiny is secured.
Ephesians 1 reminds us that not only were we chosen in Him before the foundation of the world, but we have an eternal inheritance waiting for us (verses 4, 11). That means God is at the beginning and end of our lives and everywhere in between. If we are worried about our provision now or in the days ahead, we learn in verses 13 and 14 that we are “sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it” (ESV). And certainly, if God can take care of our eternal life, He can take care of everyday life as well.
If you are in Christ (meaning you are trusting in the atoning death and resurrection of Jesus alone for your salvation), here are three scriptural passages to build your faith when the future looks uncertain:
- A Reminder from Habakkuk to Praise God When Life Looks Bleak
It’s easy to look around us and think that in the drought (which could be physical, financial, moral, or spiritual), we are going to die along with everything else. But the Prophet Habakkuk assured the Israelites of God’s redemptive power—something we can apply to our circumstances today. In Habakkuk 3:17-19, we have this reminder:
“Even if the fig tree does not blossom,
And there is no fruit on the vines,
If the yield of the olive fails,
And the fields produce no food,
Even if the flock disappears from the fold,
And there are no cattle in the stalls,
Yet I will triumph in the Lord,
I will rejoice in the God of my salvation.
The Lord God is my strength,
And He has made my feet like deer’s feet,
And has me walk on my high places” (NASB).
- Affirmations that God is Immovable and Unchanging
In Psalm 46:1-3, we read:
God is our refuge and strength,
A very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear,
Even though the earth be removed,
And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
Though its waters roar and be troubled,
Though the mountains shake with its swelling” (NKJV).
In addition to this verse, we know from the New Testament that “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:7). While everything around us changes, ages, or declines, He does not. His purity, righteousness, mercy, and holiness stay the same.
- Assurances of God’s Continual Protection
Fear can overtake us when we fail to love—and therefore trust—God. But loving God perfectly drives out any fear (1 John 4:18 NIV). God is sovereign over all things and assures us in His Word that He will protect His own. God told His people He is not One to slumber or sleep (Psalm 121:4) and we don’t need to fear what may be in front of us because He goes alongside us. In Isaiah 40:1-3 we read:
“But now, thus says the Lord, your Creator, O Jacob,
And He who formed you, O Israel,
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by name; you are Mine!
“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
And through the rivers, they will not overflow you.
When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched,
Nor will the flame burn you.
“For I am the Lord your God,
The Holy One of Israel, your Savior”
In addition, Paul wrote this to the Romans to give them confidence in this same God who got him through numerous hardships, suffering, and near-death experiences:
“For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39 ESV).
With God’s love encircling you and His hand protecting you, there is nothing to fear.
For more on building your faith when life looks uncertain, see Cindi’s books, Letting God Meet Your Emotional Needs, and Women on the Edge.
Thank you my family and I are going through a lot right now. The Scriptures really helped me today! Thank you and God bless you!
Thank you, Christina, for taking the time to read this and respond. God’s Word is trustworthy so cling to it. My prayer is that you will continue to be encouraged and comforted through Scripture.
Hi Cindy!
Some people trust others so easy. I keep my own council and think twice before trusting others. When it comes to trust God, to me it’s a reassurance that He will keep His promise because of His love toward us. It always blesses me reading your post. I know deep in my heart He will speak to my heart. Walking through a valley of uncertainty right now.
Affirmations that God is Immovable and Unchanging!
Assurances of God’s Continual Protection!
Wrote them on a piece of paper and put on my fridge so every time I’ll be remind it to CLING to His promises because the world will fail me, but He won’t 🙏🏻 blessings to all🦋
Hi Hayde, Thank you so much for letting me know how that blog resonated with you and where you are in your trust of God right now. I actually wrote this blog during a time of uncertainty for me, too, and am trusting in those very categories that you mentioned. He knows all and He will see us through. What joy there is in anchoring our hope in Him, knowing we are not at the mercy of our circumstances or random events, but in the loving, capable hands of a God who protects and never changes. Thanks for encouraging my heart this morning with your words. May you be encouraged back, today. 🙂
Thank you for such a great encouraging word. It’s not easy to live in peace without trusting in God. Having faith that what He said He will do. When I trust in God, many of my fears are washed away and His love brings me comfort in all things. Hope you are well my friend.
Hi Ramona,
It’s always good to hear from you and how God is continuing to work in your life and deepen your faith in Him.Thanks for dropping me a line now and then and letting me know how you are continuing to be encouraged by His Word. You are much loved…by Him and by me. 🙂
Thank you for directing me to God’s amazing promises. My faith in Him and His Word is what keeps me going. He never fails me!
Amen, Sarah! He never fails, disappoints, or forgets. I’m glad you have that truth cemented in your heart and you are trusting in Him and His Word. 🙂
Hi Cindi
Do you have any study books that have video’s as well?
I’M looking for something for our ladies group.
Thsnk you
Leisa
Hi Lisa,
Thank you for your inquiry about videos to go along with my study books. All of my books have reflection/application/Bible study questions at the end of each chapter (except “When You’re Running on Empty” and that one has a free downloadable “Small Group Facilitator’s Guide” to help you lead a study on that one, as well0. I do have a video page on my website with many brief teaching clips from my book, “When God Sees Your Tears” and “Drama Free,” along with a couple of full-length one-hour presentations based on the content of several of my books. However, I do not have a video teaching package on any one particular book at this time. If you don’t find what you’re looking for on that page, please check back in 2025 for a possible video package to accompany my new book to release in Jan. 1 2025 on “The New Loneliness: Connecting with God and Others on a Deeper Level.” Thank you again for asking ad God’s blessings as you lead your ladies group in a better understanding of God’s ways and His Word.
Cindi, thank you for this writing and the scriptures you selected. God has greatly encouraged me through the verses in Habakkuk. He pointed out that things in life fail…fig tree doesn’t bud, no grapes on the vine etc. My tendency is to be ashamed, wondering what I did or did not do to cause these failures that everyone can see. God reminded me that I truthfully don’t have as much control or responsibility for things that happen in my life. Things that don’t work out the way I expected are not necessarily because I made mistakes. Instead of feeling ashamed and discouraged, I am so thankful that I truly don’t have to control everything in order for progress and provision. I can’t. He never expected me to. I praise Him because He is Sovereign and I know He is good despite circumstances looking confusing, unsuccessful and regrettable. I
Thank you for leading me to rethink. I am now rejoicing and praising Him for “my fields that aren’t producing food” because I believe He is responsible and in control and I am allowed to not be. Carol
Carol, thank you so much for your comments today. I can totally relate. I recently was suffering a sinus infection (first time in 15 years that I’d been sick) and I had been praying and telling God” “I’m sorry I allowed myself to get stressed and run down and I shouldn’t have…” and it was like God had interrupted my thoughts and whispered to my heart “This wasn’t you. This is on Me.” I actually wrote that down in a devotional. Then a couple weeks later, I had some potentially scary news at the doctor (as a result of that sinus infection?), and immediately I started thinking “What did I do? Is this because I wasn’t taking care of myself? Should I have not gone on that antibiotic? Did I allow myself to get stressed and did I trigger some cancer cells?” Those unspoken thoughts were interrupted by my doctor this time who looked straight at me and said “You didn’t do this. This wasn’t you.” It was like she was reaffirming what God had whispered to me two weeks earlier. I have those two affirmations in my memory as I go through this uncertainty knowing God is in full control and nothing touches me that hasn’t first passed through His loving hands. I will share that in a book one day, once I know the outcome to all of this. But for now, I join you in rejoicing that, like you said, “He is in control and I am allowed not to be.” 🙂 Blessings on your day, dear Carol.