What does the future hold for my family and me? If you are like me, you think about this quite often.  The reports you hear about the economy aren’t encouraging. The price of oil seems to continue upward meaning higher gas prices. Everything costs more now and my income stays the same. Will that trend continue? What about health costs? What about my job? Beyond that, what about the safety of America with terrorism threatening us? There is no doubt that we live in a time of real uncertainty. What does the future hold?

The short answer is that no one really knows. We can use logic and see trends. We can be wise and reflect on history to see real cause- and-effect examples in order to make predictions. When we do however, the reality remains that tomorrow is simply uncertain and, in many ways, out of our control. So the question really becomes, “What will my reaction to this uncertainty be?” This is something we can control.

If you are a Christian, then I hope you have a serious reverence and respect for the Bible.  It is the rule and guide for our lives. As Psalm 119: 5 says, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.”  As we seriously consider God’s word we find that there is a correct perspective concerning tomorrow. The correct perspective is not the easiest because it involves faith, but it is critical to experiencing the peace of God and living in hope.

Sometimes, the greatest enemy we have is fear.

President Franklin Roosevelt said in his first inaugural address, “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.”  This was at the time of the Great Depression. Most of us were not alive during this time. We have no personal concept of the toughness of those times. Many faced fear we have never faced. The president knew that a nation living in fear would become paralyzed. That’s what fear can do.

Fear of the unknown usually leads to worry. Anxiety is destructive to the mind, body and spirit. So how does the Bible instruct us concerning worry and concerns for tomorrow?   Matthew 6:33 says, “ But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things will be added unto you.” Verse 34 then says, “Take therefore no thought for the morrow; for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.”  First, we are to make our relationship with the Lord priority one. Then, God in His faithfulness will add to our lives the things He already knows we need. Then, knowing this, we are to refuse to worry about tomorrow. It’s not even here yet!  Plan and prepare, but don’t worry.

What does the future hold for you and your family? The greater question is: “WHO holds the future for you and your family?” Give your tomorrows to the Lord. Some of them may be difficult, but He will lead you through. The lyrics to an old song come to mind:

Many things about tomorrow,
I don’t seem to understand.
But I know who holds tomorrow,
And I know who holds my hand.

Article by Larry Dennison,  Men’s Group Leader, Reformers Unanimous Addictions Program
Lighthouse Baptist Church, Taylorsville