What Does the Future Hold?
Ahhh…new year. Clean slate. New beginning. Twelve months of potential.
But not everyone is optimistic about the future. Some say that if the past is any indication, we’re in for big trouble in 2018.
Newspaper headlines from 2017 brimmed with accounts of disasters. We witnessed man-made disasters such as the Chennai oil spill in February. We watched as Hurricanes Irma and Harvey unleashed their fury. Wildfires ravaged California. Middle East tensions escalated. And North Korea has been making its presence known on the world stage.
The economic picture is gloomy, too. An out-of-control national deficit, combined with lower donations to charities have many worried. Aid workers cite “donor fatigue” in describing reduced giving to help victims of natural disasters around the world.
All in all, the baby new year has its work cut out for it.
Even as adults struggle with their response to uncertainties, our children and grandchildren are watching us. And they’re wondering…is our faith real? Do we trust God only in the good times? Is the future bleak because God is no longer in control?
How we respond to our circumstances—good and bad, certain and uncertain—speaks volumes to the children who watch us. If we really believe God is sovereign, and that He loves His children, we will trust Him for each moment.
God does not want His children—adults or little ones—to obsess about the future. He wants us to live in such a way that we will be prepared for the future by having dealt with our past. Unless the sin of our past has been paid for by the only sacrifice God deemed acceptable – His Son, Jesus Christ – the future will continue to be a source of fear.
No one knows the details of what the future holds. But we do know who holds the future…and who holds us.
And that’s enough for me. How about you?
What helps you face the uncertainty of 2018?
It’s unfortunate that we only hear about the doom and gloom! A lot of good things happen according to God’s will. And knowing that he’s in charge of all things helps me to face whatever the future holds!
I love Jeremiah 29:11, knowing that my future will be forever with my Lord and Savior. This is why no matter how bad it seems it will not compare to the glory that will be ours for all eternity!
Blessings to you my dear sister! Hi happy new year
Happy new year to you, too, Lee Ann!
Thank you, Ava, for your outstanding post. The depth of our faith is revealed in the midst of trials. May we always demonstrate to the children in our lives the truth that Jesus reigns!
Many blessings,
MaryAnn
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MaryAnn Diorio, PhD, MFA
Author & Writing Coach
http://www.maryanndiorio.com
“Heart-Mending Books for the Young
and the Young-at-Heart”
Thank you, MaryAnn. Yes, indeed, Jesus reigns! And the children in our lives need to see us not just say the words, but live like it, too!
What is past, is past. We cannot change it. We can, however, move forward in faith and remember how much God loves us. Thank you, Ava, for setting the right tone for the new year.
Thank you, Cheryl.
Happy new year!