Does your future look uncertain right now? Is it sometimes easier to panic than to pray? Would you like to know how to hold it all together?
I love how Colossians 1:17 tells us, “He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.” And that means you and your future are being held together by Him too. 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 and 11). That means God is on both sides of our destiny and everywhere in between. And 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 biblical reminders to build your faith when your future looks uncertain.
- Your God Continually Protects His Own
Fear can overtake us when we start looking at what might happen tomorrow, rather than on how God is taking care of us today. 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 43:2-3 we read:
“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.
- Your God is Immovable and Unchanging
In Psalm 46:1-3 (NKJV) 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.”
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.
- Your God Won’t Forget About Your Provision
On days when you start to worry about your provision, you have promises, both in the Old and New Testaments, that remind you of not only your day-to-day provision, but your eternal inheritance.
In Psalm 16, David, who knew what it was like to be hunted and unfairly treated, wrote:
“The Lord is the portion of my inheritance and my cup;
You support my lot.The measuring lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
Indeed, my inheritance is beautiful to me…I have set the Lord continually before me;
Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken” (verses 5-6, 8).
And in Matthew 6:25-33, Jesus reminded His followers that if His Heavenly Father could care for the birds of the air and lillies of the field, neither of which worry about their lives, how much more will He provide for those who love Him? Seek Him first and He’ll provide for all that you need (Matthew 6:33).
For more on building your faith when life looks uncertain, see my books, Letting God Meet Your Emotional Needs, and Women on the Edge.
I tend to worry more when I don’t spend as much time with the Lord. For example, for almost 9 years, I was only spending about 10-15 minutes in God’s Word and prayer each morning. During this time, I was worrying more and not trusting in all of God’s wonderful promises. Since November 2024, I began getting up an hour earlier each morning 5:45am, and spending about an hour in God’s Word and prayer and journaling daily. Since then, God has blessed me with way more peace, joy, creativity, and hope for the future. I’ve been thinking of setting up a public facebook page for my artwork and writing to encourage and bless others in their walk with the Lord. Hopefully in May, Lord willing. P.S. My friends Christa and Lian and me start our Bible study on your book The New Loneliness this Saturday. I’m so excited about it! May the Lord bless your ministry!
Amber, thank you for sharing how God has blessed as you’ve been investing your time in prayer and His Word. And I’m so glad to hear you’ll be starting a study of my book this Saturday. Thanks for letting me know and I’ll be praying for you three.
I always find a warm comfort in your writings. They leave you with the belief that God never forgets us, regardless of how our life is evolving.
One day I may come over to the US from Australia for one of your seminars that you have time to time. I would think that they would be quite inspirational, and I’d probably be the only man in the room!
Thank you, Matt, for your kind words. Blessings to you there in Australia.
Thank you Cindi for the reminder that God is always near to meet our needs as we put our trust in him daily. You are truly a blessing to me! I gotta get your new book to add to my collection.:)
You’re welcome, Ramona. And yes, get The New Loneliness on Amazon right now while it’s less expensive than I can get my own copies for!