The Best Is Yet to Come
- Cliff Young Crosswalk.com Contributing Writer
- Updated Oct 08, 2008
The expectation of summer was always an exciting time for me as a child. My dad would get tickets to a baseball game and I would stare at those colored pieces of paper for weeks thinking about the game, dreaming of catching a foul ball or meeting one of my heroes.
The anticipation was almost as good as the game itself because I could envision any outcome or situation that I wanted. The sky was the limit! Even as the final innings of the game approached, there was always another game I could dream about—this gave me a hope for the future and something I could hold onto.
Today, many of us have lost a childlike eagerness for the future and we find it difficult to live free of feelings of trepidation. Economic instability, housing foreclosures, rising gas prices, national security issues, unemployment, aging parents and (for some) singleness leads us to believe our best days are over. As a result, we tend to approach each day worried and anxious. The Bible addresses these thoughts that we battle.
Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself (Matthew 6:34).
Nearly every occurrence of the word worry in the (NIV) Bible is preceded by do not. Throughout the Old Testament and New Testament, Scripture tells us do not worry. It is a command for us to follow. Why? Worrying doesn’t help, it causes further personal problems, and it shows a lack of trust in God.
Worrying Doesn’t Help
Jesus asks, ‘Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?’ (Matthew 6:27).
Jesus posed this question during his Sermon on the Mount, and those teachings from the first century apply to us today. He gives us instruction on how to face anger, adultery, divorce, revenge, enemies, prayer, money and possessions—not by worrying, but by shining your light, trusting the Lord, repenting of your sins, reconciling with or confronting those who sinned against you (or who you’ve sinned against), loving and giving to your neighbor, coming clean before God, praying, and carrying out the vows you have made to the Lord. Nowhere does he call us to worry.
I have found that worrying about my work, finances, relationships, and future solves nothing! I fail to see or find any solution by focusing on what might happen instead of focusing on the problems themselves.
Worrying Cause Further Personal Problems
Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow. It empties today of its strength.
— Corrie Ten Boom
I only thought that worrying could cause gray hair; however, I have learned there is an actual medical condition for worrying as well.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) – excessive and unreasonable worry over events or activities, such as work, school or health; inability to control or stop worrying; causes fatigue, tension headaches, sleep troubles or muscle aches.
Worrying is the basis of all sorts of medical conditions from stress to depression, and the medical community is still discovering further ramifications of worrying and living with anxiety. At the very least, worrying causes physical and emotional discomfort. At the very worst, it breaks our fellowship with God. Worry not only adds to the feeling of being overwhelmed where it weakens you emotionally, but it can also debilitate our spirit and weakens our confidence in God. However, the Bible gives us encouragement to walk through our struggles.
We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed and broken. We are perplexed, but we don’t give up and quit. We are hunted down, but God never abandons us. We get knocked down, but we get up again and keep going. Through suffering, these bodies of ours constantly share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies (2 Corinthians 4:8-10).
Worrying Shows a Lack of Trust in God
Look at the birds. They don’t need to plant or harvest or put food in barns because your heavenly Father feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than they are (Matthew 6:26).
And why worry about your clothes? Look at the lilies and how they grow. And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and gone tomorrow, won’t he more surely care for you? You have so little faith! (Matthew 6: 28, 30).
When I read these passages, I feel as if Jesus is speaking directly to me. I am reminded of my lack of faith and trust in Him when it comes to giving Him all of my thoughts, concerns and worries. When I choose to struggle on my own without first seeking Jesus, my pride is revealed in thinking I can do it myself or do it better.
If you need wisdom—if you want to know what God wants you to do—ask Him, and He will gladly tell you (James 1:5).
I have often been told that I don’t have because I don’t ask. I struggle with asking anybody for anything because I don’t want to bother someone, don’t want to seem needy, or don’t want to be seen as weak. I often do the same with God and that shows a lack of trust.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will direct your paths (Proverbs 3:5-6).
What Can I Do About Worry and Anxiety?
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. If you do this, you will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6-7).
I love the simplicity of God’s Word.
Don’t worry about anything. Pray about everything.
Prayer should not be a foreign act. It should be more common to us than texting, e-mailing or calling a friend. It should be the first thing, the last thing and everything in between when facing anything in our lives. Everything we do or plan should be bathed in prayer.
Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.
God, through Jesus, has given us a direct line to Him. There is no one we need to go through, go around, or make an appointment with. God asks us to tell Him what we need and give thanks for all He has done. Prayer is not a ritual or some esoteric event. It is simply a child asking his Father for what he needs.
You will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
Who wouldn’t want to experience a peace that is more wonderful than we can imagine? How much better is this peace compared to the stress that worry brings? If we make it all about Him instead of making it all about us, what is there to worry about?
Singer, songwriter Scott Krippayne wrote these words in his song, “The Best Is Yet to Come” …
The race is long, sometimes I stumble, He helps me up, each time I fall
And I lose hope, He gives me courage, so I press on, and give my all
And I know I never have to run alone, and I can hardly wait to make it home
The best is yet to come the promise when heaven awaits
I finally see my Lord and Savior face to face
For He has set me free for all eternity when my life on earth is done, the best is yet to come
In every joy, in every trial, I need to keep, my eyes on Him
He is the way, my sole provider, no matter how the road may bend
When earth’s big treasures cloud my point of view, He reminds me that I’m only passing through
The best is yet to come the promise when heaven awaits
I finally see my Lord and Savior face to face
For He has set me free for all eternity when my life on earth is done, the best is yet to come
Nothing can compare to what’s in store, when we will join the angels singing “Holy is the Lord”
It is not easy to have an optimistic outlook in the midst of financial challenges, personal struggles, tough decisions and loneliness; however, we must believe and have faith that the best really is yet to come. It is God’s promise to us.
For surely you have a future ahead of you; your hope will not be disappointed (Proverbs 23:18).
Where do you place your hope when you choose to worry? Do you place it in yourself, in your strength? Or do you place it in the One who promises you eternal life? Your hope will never be disappointed if you place it in God.
I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world (John 16:33).
