No Fear of the New Year: God Holds Your Future

Welcome to a brand new year! Are you excited about the next twelve months? Do you have big plans, like a graduation or an exciting spring break trip? A move from high school to college, or from college to the big world?

For some, the flip of the calendar is reason for anxiety, especially if you’re facing family tumult or just found out someone you love has a terminal illness and won’t make it another twelve months. Maybe the past 365 days were rough for you and you have no reason to believe the next 365 will be any better.

Perhaps the milestones that excite your peers—such as starting college—terrify you and you’re not looking forward to them at all.

Wherever you fall on the spectrum, you’re not alone. But one thing reigns true: God holds your future.

When Life Becomes a High-Speed Chase

One of my favorite movies is about a young man who was coerced into working as the getaway driver for a crime boss. As you can imagine, there were some pretty intense high-speed chase scenes. When I looked at behind-the-scenes making-of-the-movie footage, however, I was intrigued to learn that the chases were real, not computer generated, and the vehicle was actually controlled by a trained stunt driver strapped into an apparatus on top while the actors did their thing inside of it. At no point was the vehicle ever out of control.

But you never see the stunt driver in the movie.

Does your life feel like it’s spiraling out of control? Perhaps you’re in a relationship that isn’t going well, or you’re struggling at school, or your family is in the midst of a crisis. If so, consider Jesus’ last words to his disciples:

“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me… And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Matthew 28:18, 20

Jesus might have physically left the world at that point, but that doesn’t mean he’s gone. He promised to be with them always, and that includes us, his modern-day disciples.

So where is he?

Jesus Is In Control

Jesus dwells in us through the Holy Spirit. Check out these scripture passages:

“I pray also for those who will believe in me…that they may be one as we are one—I in them and you in me…”

Jesus speaking in John 17

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.

Paul in his letter to the Ephesians (3:16-17)

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”

Jesus speaking in John 15

Jesus hasn’t left. Even when you mess up, or when someone else messes something up, he still has control over the situation, and at no point does he ever take his hands off the steering wheel.

Don’t be Afraid of Leopards: God Holds Your Future

While running errands a while back, my five-year-old declared from the backseat, “Mom, I’m not afraid of leopards.”

His candor brought a smile to my face. “Well that’s good,” I said, “because we don’t have any leopards around here.”

His reply? “But I wouldn’t be afraid of leopards even if we did because God is here.”

He makes a solid point: Why are we afraid of anything? God has said it plainly, “Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9) and, “surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). Need more proof? Check out Psalm 139:

“Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.”

Ahh, the lessons taught by a five-year-old.

It’s safe to say God is here with you, with me, everywhere. We have no reason to fear the coming year because with God, it’s just another year. He hasn’t changed and he hasn’t left.

No Fear of the New Year: “God, help me focus on you!”

Don’t think there’s something wrong with you if knowing God is present doesn’t automatically lay your fears to rest. Like some of the most annoying weeds in my garden, fear, anxiety, and depression put down deep roots. They have to be pulled repeatedly before they die.

But this is what’s so awesome about God: He can turn your fear into faith. He’s not like us humans who might become offended if you say, “I’m having a hard time focusing on you when you speak. Will you please help me?” God wants you to come to him in your imperfect state and he knows you need his help believing him. Find him in prayer and in his Word.

Faith Over Fear: More Resources For Letting Go

You don’t have to have all the answers.

but, hey, why not?

Bring me your questions about faith, life, God, the Bible… and I’ll help you find the answers.

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You choose faith over fear when you dig into the Bible. Need a starting point? Check out these posts, which all contain helpful Bible passages:

• Indestructible Faith: How to Toughen Up For Hard Times
• 10 Bible Passages that Confirm God’s Love for You
• Where to Look in Scripture During Your Darkest Nights
• 10 Bible Passages For When God Seems Distant and Aloof

More scripture proof that Jesus is in control can be found in:

• John 15
• John 17
• Ephesians 3
• Isaiah 14:24-27
• Isaiah 45:1-13

Other Related Posts:

• Why You Can Trust God Instead of Freaking Out
• Why Christian Teens Need Not Be Afraid of Silence
• Lacking Self-Confidence? You Don’t Need it!

God holds your future. No matter what’s on your calendar, a new year brings new chances for spiritual growth, stronger faith, and a renewed closeness with him. May you move forward knowing he has great things in store for you!