As the year is nearing its end, my heart is overwhelmed with the thoughts of the coming year.
It is the realization that over a month from now and another year will soon take its way.Where did those months go? What have I done this year? Are all things that I did count as worthy after all? These are some questions that keep bugging me as days quickly pass by.
I recalled that I am not yet at the best state of my health. I am still in this healing journey that I could not tell when would be the end. Then comes another year again. As these days just fall off speedily, my worries and anxieties for the future keep racing on as well – “How can I survive next year?” “Do I need to work again?” “Will I get better or my health will continuously go down the slope?” “Where will the Lord lead me this time?” I could not find any answers to these questions. I see the unknown. I look forward to uncertainties.
My musings on these concerns invite worries and fears as unwanted visitors. “Lord,please help me to trust you.” The Lord led me to recall His goodness in the past. His mercy enabled me to still stand despite all the sufferings and heartaches. His grace is indeed sufficient for meas I walk this journey that He has given me today.
These past months, the book of Psalms has been a very great encouragement for me to stay strong and trust the Lord more as my life trails on a seemingly oblivious path. There is stillness in God. There is beauty in His given brokenness. David inspired me a lot in my journey of faith.
In his sorrow, and agony he called unto God,
“How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily? How long shallmine enemy be exalted over me?” Psalm 13:2
In His abundance, He acknowledged God’s provision and leading,
“The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pasture. ..” Psalm 23
In His confusion and fears, he trusted God,
“Trust in the Lord and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.” Psalm 37:3
“Unto thee, O Lord, do I life up my soul. O my God, I trust in thee; let me not be ashamed,let not mine enemies triumph over me.” Psalm 25
In his waiting, he hoped in God
“Therefore, my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope.”Psalm 16:9
“For the king trusteth in the Lord, and through the mercy of most High he shall not be moved.”
Psalm 21: 7
“And now, Lord, what wait I for? My hope is in thee.” Psalm 39:7
All of us have worries and fears for the future. Think for a moment on what worries you now.It will not just cripple you from your joyful walk with God, but it will also cause you to doubt God’s power in your life. When these lies get into us, we lose focus on Jesus and His goodness. We begin to think of ourselves more and what we can do. This will cause us not to see His strength and grace that is sufficient for the day.
The Scripture reminds us how we ought to trust our future in the Lord. Jeremiah 29:11 says,“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord,plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”This is God’s promise to the Israelites who were carried away captives from Jerusalem to Babylonia. The Lord promised that He would visit them after seventy years to cause them to come back to their place. Seventy years is such a long time to keep holding on to that promise. But God never fails to deliver His promises. And we can be assured of that.
There are also times that God seems so silent. But His silence does not mean He does not hear. He is just preparing to fulfill His plan and will for us.
When we are tempted to worry about the future, we remember that:
- We can pray to God (Philippians 4:6)
- We can meditate God’s promises to divert our minds (Psalm 1:2) (Psalm 119:11)
- We can plan for the future and lift it up to God (Proverbs 16:3) (Proverbs 16:9)
My heart comes to say that, “It is almost the end of the year. Thank you for seeing me through Lord.” My hope in the future comes though trusting Christ and resting on His promises. His mercies and lovingkindness endure forever.
Another year will come again but He holds the future. I should not afraid of it because I know that God is ahead of me. Those uncertainties and dark roads are hidden opportunities to again trust His plan and will for my life.
“Those who leave everything in God’s hand will eventually see Gods hand in everything.”
– Anonymous
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