When Trusting God With Your Future Doesn’t Come Easily
We threw out the old calendar—the one with the tattered edges and scratched-out plans—and we burned it to ash last week. We watched the flames lick it up like they were happy to say goodbye to the year and all it held. As I watched the tangerine flames dance in the winter wind, I considered the secret for really trusting God with your future—whether you’re coming out of the best year of your life or the worst.
As I reflected on the year, I gained courage. I also thought about the many times in Scripture when God’s people told stories about his past faithfulness. Maybe we should follow their lead at the start of this new year.
Maybe God is calling us to pause.
To look back.
To gather courage as we reflect on where we’ve been and how he carried us.
Trusting God With Your Future
Throughout the past year, our family faced difficult surprises. But the difficulties shaped us. Matured us. Refined us. They taught us about trust and faith and perseverance.
We took risks and set goals. Some of our dreams came to fruition. Others were crushed.
We took hundreds of trips to the woods to catch frogs and toads and crayfish—to build fires, sleep in tents, and dip nets into the swampy water we call the frog pond.
I came to know God through experience: a relational kind of knowing that is deeper than knowing about him and looks like doing life with him.
And he showed up tried and true—unchanging. Abounding in love-in-action.
I look back, and I give thanks for it all as the calendar burns.
I give thanks that the darkest valleys did their refining work.
And I am strengthened in resolve as I look to the next year.
I have no way of predicting what lies ahead. I could try.
Lean Into God
But instead, I’ll stand on the confidence that the same God who led us through the valleys and the mountaintops throughout this past year will be faithful to do the same in the years to come. Our paths will be threaded with both trouble and abundance—this is Jesus’ promise.
But here is our best promise: He will go with us.
He will go with us to the hospital and to the cemetery.
He will go with us to new jobs, new schools, and new seasons.
He’ll go with us to the uncertain appointments, interviews, and assignments we’re not sure we signed up for.
And this will be our confidence. It will be enough.
The same God who walked with us throughout the past year will go with us into the next.
Do you need truth to lean on as you head into this new year? Let’s stand on God’s Word together . . . .
Bible Verses About Trusting God With Your Future
Here are a few Truths about trusting God with your future:
1. God will strengthen you, help you, and uphold you.
We find this truth in the book of Isaiah.
Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand (Isaiah 41:10 ESV).
2. God is waiting to show you his goodness.
We find this truth nestled in the Book of Psalms.
I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living! Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord (Psalm 27:13-14).
3. Trust in God, and he will give you peace.
Isaiah reminds us:
You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock (Isaiah 26:4).
4. The Lord is our refuge.
We find this truth here:
Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us (Psalm 62:8).
5. We don’t need to fear calamity because the Lord is with us.
We find this truth in Psalm 56:
In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me? (Psalm 56:4)
Your Turn to Gain Courage From Your Past Year:
As we begin this new year, set aside an hour or 15 minutes to reflect on your past year. What were the highs and lows? What did God teach you? When did you doubt him? In what ways did he prove his faithfulness? Did you wrestle with him? How did he change you? In what ways was he faithful?
We all need space to step back, assess where we’ve been, and find courage for what lies ahead of us. The same God who carried you in the past will carry you into whatever you face tomorrow. Lean into him. Keep your heart soft. You will see his goodness; be confident of this.
The same God who carried you in the past will carry you into whatever you face tomorrow. #TrustGod #GodWillCarryYou #GodIsFaithful Click To TweetA Free Devotional for When You Need Help Trusting God With Your Future:
I have a gift for you today. Hope for Hard Days is a free 10-day online devotional to help you hold onto hope when life is tough. You will find 10 readings to help you connect with God and claim his peace. Click here and I’ll send it to your email inbox today for free with promo code HOPE.
These two books are free on Kindle Unlimited or available to purchase in print:
God wants to work in your life to accomplish what you’ve been unable to do through willpower alone. Lean Into Grace: Let God’s Grace Heal Your Heart, Refresh Your Soul, and Set You Free shares practical ways to experience God’s freedom, healing, power, and presence in your life. Find this life-changing book for free on the Kindle Unlimited plan or for 12.99 in print right here. This book will transform your life and revitalize your relationship with the Lord!
Calling all mothers and daughters!
Additionally, my 12-year-old daughter, Bekah, and I wrote a mother-daughter devotional book to help mothers and daughters grow closer together while connecting with God. Girl to Girl: 60 Mother-Daughter Devotions for a Closer Relationship and Deeper Faith includes 60 devotions with Scripture, commentaries from both of us, conversation starters, and even a shared journaling section. Multitudes of mothers, daughters, mentors, and younger women are being transformed by this book! You can find your free Kindle Unlimited eBook or buy it in print for just 11.99 right here.
