An undergraduate student challenged my comments on health policy. She thought that, because she was going to be a physician, her future was secure with ample income and a great career. She would not entertain any other possibility. And she wasn’t even in med school yet!
She refused to believe her view of the future was not a sure thing.
That was a number of years ago and I still shake my head.
Boasting
The Bible warns us not to pin our hopes on our own views of the future.
“Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth.” (Proverbs 27:1)
“Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit.” Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away. Instead, you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that.” But as it is, you boast in your arrogance; all such boasting is evil.” (James 4:13–16)
While we are admonished to do good works and strive to live our lives for the glory of God, we are not to rely on expected results, but to rely on God and trust Him for our future.
We have responsibility only for our part in the process; God has total control of the outcome.
Worry
Not counting on a good thing has a companion: worry.
Just as we don’t control the good outcomes we work for and might expect, we don’t control possible bad events in the future.
“So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (Matthew 6:34)
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” (Philippians 4:6)
God is Sovereign
God is sovereign over everything, including our future. What we must do is pray and trust.
Questions for you
Are you relying on a specific future event?
Are you worried about what might happen?
What are you going to do instead?
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