Facing the Future – Fear or Faith
Today my sister and brother-in-law and mom joined us at the Cracker Barrel in Loveland to celebrate my mom’s 89th birthday. We enjoyed our meal and time together. My mom continues to be in good health. When were together I told them about my physical therapist making some comments about speech therapy. I told my physical therapist that I actually had a few sessions with one of the speech therapists at Northern Colorado Rehab Hospital. He worked with me on my memory….but I couldn’t remember his name! I did recall it later though. I am at that stage where I tell someone if I can’t remember a name at that moment that “I will recall sometime in the next few minutes or hours.”
We also made a stop by the Good HealthWill store. This is a great place in Loveland with used medical equipment. We did pick up a “racing” wheelchair that I will use for some of my exercise. I have until May 17th to see if I can get ready to traverse as much of a three mile course as I can.Otherwise I will take advantage of my son and daughter-in-law and any others wh
Cracker Barrel Loveland 89 years old
o want to help push me along the course. You can donate to Teen Challenge of the Rocky Mountains and support my effort and the cause of effective recovery from drug and alcohol addiction at www.coloradogives.org/ksummers
In Jesus Today, Sarah
Young was commenting, “The Lord has good plans for you: Offer for a hope and a future. Many people fear the future, but ultimately yours is glorious – beyond anything you can imagine!” (Young, S. 2012. Jesus Today, pg. 230, Thomas Nelson Press)
Reading this reminded me of a question on the TV game show “Family Feud.” The question was “on a scale of 1-10 how much do you fear the future?” The greatest response of those surveyed was 10. When you look at the daily news, there is certainly cause to fear the future. Uncertainty seems to abound at every turn. When I heard this week of another shooting at Fort Hood, I wasn’t sure if it is was a current event or the anniversary of the previous shooting. We see the turmoil around the world with Russia and the Ukraine. The search continues for missing Malaysian flight 370.
But as we face the future we must make a choice between fear and faith. Fear will paralyze and create internal anxiety. It will impact our confidence and leave us in a perpetual state of uncertainty and dread. That removes the joy from living.
However, faith in the God who is in control and knows the future and holds our life in His hands brings confidence and joy. We may face tough times and times of difficulty, but when we trust a God who promises to be with us and give us strength and work in the midst of every situation, we can live life with confidence, peace and joy.
God’s love for us drives out fear.
“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear…” 1 John 4:18
God’s care and watchfulness over our life removes worry
“Therefore I (Jesus) tell you, do not worry about your life…But seek first his (God’s) kingdom and his (God’s) righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (Matthew 6:25, 33,34)
God promises His peace through Christ. Jesus said,
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives.Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John14:27)
Today you can choose faith and face the future with confidence in knowing the God of the universe who knows the beginning from the end is with you and directing your steps. That is what I have been learning as I have been on a road that I could never have anticipated for my life.