“I am convinced that …neither the present NOR THE FUTURE, nor any powers… will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38

 

The future can be frightening to contemplate. We crave certainty and demand control. But the future is ungraspable. It’s a will-o’-the-wisp way out there. Will I have a job? Will I be married? Will I succeed or fail? Will I be alive or dead? The uncertainty surrounding these questions can be so crushing that it impacts how we live in the present which, in turn, impacts the shape of our futures. In that sense, worry is a thief two times over – both our present and future are taken from us.

 

When we are in this condition, people are prone to parcel out substanceless advice: oh, don’t worry about it, it’ll all work out! Then a pat on the shoulder and they’re gone. That kind of thing too easily dismisses our experience and doesn’t properly size up the very real emotions of worry or fear in us.

 

Simple-minded words alone will not banish these debilitating emotions, but there is something that will. One combats smaller forces with greater forces. If you place a small magnet next to a ball bearing, it will roll towards the magnet. That is just nature at work. You can’t coax the bearing in another direction by trying to shoo it away. Oh little ball, please oh please roll in the other direction! Sorry. Won’t work.

 

But, you can take a more powerful magnet and place it on the opposite end of the table. Immediately, the ball bearing will turn course and roll in the other direction. The greater power trumps the weaker. The more irresistable force defines the course of that ball bearing.

 

What is the greater power we can rely on when uncertainty threatens to cripple our senses? It is the certainty of God and His promises. He will stay with us through every circumstance. He holds our futures in his hands. The moment you believe it – really believe it – you’ve just plopped down that irresistable, all powerful magnet near your life, and all your perspective will shift in the direction of heaven. And the worry you were feeling will simply evaporate. In its place you will have the peace that passes understanding.

 

Blessings,

GodCares