I tend to always think ten steps ahead. I’m always trying to figure out what I need to do next or what needs to happen next in order for life to go on as it should. I constantly have ideas swirling around in my head of what I imagine my life to look like in the next six months— or the next year or the next five years— and I put a lot of energy into trying to align all the parts to make those ideas a reality.
Six months ago, I had solid plans. I knew when and where I would raise my future kids, what my career goals were and what life would generally look like for the next five or ten years. Then my husband got a new job…1,500 miles across the country. So we packed up our stuff and sold our house and moved ourselves and our two pint-sized dogs far, far away. Far away from all of our family, all of our friends, and all of our plans.
For quite possibly the first time ever, I wasn’t thinking ten steps ahead. It was impossible. It was like someone hit the reset button on my life. I looked backward and reflected on my life up until that point, and looked forward into the abyss of the unknown.
Is there an “unknown” looming over your head right now?
You may not be facing a cross-country move. Perhaps you’re recently divorced and can’t seem to imagine your future without your spouse by your side. Or maybe a medical diagnosis has changed the way you must live your life from now on. Or perhaps
growing debt is keeping you from imagining a future life without financial struggle. Big or small, sudden or gradual — any kind of change can make it seem like your world has been thrown off its axis.
In times of change, when you feel paralyzed by confusion, find a moment to pause and commit to trusting God. No matter what you are facing, God sees you and knows you and is responsible for your future. And who better to hold your future than a loving, omniscient, omnipotent God?
Yes, you may still wonder what the future holds. Yes, you may still prepare for certain things that you hope to happen. And yes, you may sometimes doubt that God knows what he’s doing. But at the end of the day, sink into prayer and a little bit of Scripture, and seek the peace that is available to you when you learn to trust God.
Pray through Psalm 31 with me, that your trust in God may start today and continue to strengthen:
I come to you, Lord, for protection;
never let me be defeated.
You are a righteous God;
save me, I pray!
Hear me! Save me now!
Be my refuge to protect me;
my defense to save me.
(Psalm 31:1-2)
God, I don’t know what’s going to happen next in my life, and it makes me afraid. Protect me. Do not let fear consume me. Give me peace and comfort, and help me to trust you.
You are my refuge and defense;
guide me and lead me as you have promised.
Keep me safe from the trap that has been set for me;
shelter me from danger.
I place myself in your care.
You will save me, Lord;
you are a faithful God.
(Psalm 34:3-5)
God, you are my safe place. Through the troubles that life brings, I can always find shelter with you, and I thank you for that. Strengthen my faith and my will to trust you.
…my trust is in you, O Lord;
you are my God.
I am always in your care…
(Psalm 34:14-15a)
My life is in your hands, God. Remind me that even though things may not pan out as I expect or want them to, you are perfect in all of your ways and you still have everything under control. Help me to keep trusting you more and more every day. Amen.
