Overcoming Fear of the Future
Every turn of the new year can bring thoughts of the future. 2024 is going to be a year of so much change in my life, and I’m sure in many of your lives as well. I am a senior in college, graduating in May, and diving into the real world shortly after. I am reflecting on the past, looking to the future, and trying to stay motivated in the present. Wherever you are in your high school or college journey, at some point you’re going to face it: Senioritis.
Senioritis: “a supposed affliction of students in their final year of high school or college, categorized by a decline in motivation or performance”
As a senior in high school you might just be ready to go! Ready to go to college or ready to start working, ready to move, ready to start your new chapter of life, and feeling like senior year is going by way too slow! But cherish this time of your life. Cherish the season of growth you are in! Senior year might be the last time you get to live in the same city as your childhood friends, and it might be the last time that you get to live with your parents. Although everyone’s story is different, we can agree that finding motivation can be hard at times.
Finding motivation to keep giving 100%, when you know the next chapter of change is right around the corner, can be difficult, but we can find it in God!
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10
We can find motivation to keep going because we know that this path we are on is for God’s glory, and he has placed us here in this moment for his good. Prayer is extremely powerful. Pray that God will give you the motivation that you need and that he will use you where you are.
As a senior in college, I find myself daydreaming about what my future holds. What will my job be? Where will I live? What kind of home will I live in? Will I have roommates? Will I still have friends if I move away? Who will I end up marrying? When will I get married? Will I have enough money to survive? All these things will end up CONSUMING me if I allow them to! God does not want us to live with this worry and anxiety.
Here are a few scriptures about worry and anxiety that I like to look back on when I am feeling overwhelmed about the future.
“So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first His kingdom and His 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 6:31-34 (NIV)
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13 (NIV)
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28 (NIV)
When I get overwhelmed about the future, I also love this reminder about our emotions.
Anxiety, fear, worry, and stress: all things that DO NOT come from God
Peace, hope, joy, and goodness: all things that DO come from God
When we are fearful, we are relying on our own abilities instead of relying on God for EVERY aspect of our lives. God has never failed us. But if we rely solely on ourselves, we are guaranteed to fail! Life doesn’t always end up exactly how WE planned it to be, and that is why we trust in HIM! The beauty of the gospel is that we will never be enough on our own, and that is why we need a perfect savior, why we need Jesus.
This year I want to focus on the good that God has for me in the present! It’s very easy to get off track, always thinking about the future and what I can’t wait for. For instance, I can’t wait to graduate, I can’t wait to get my own house, I can’t wait to get married. Instead, I want to enjoy the present moment in which God has placed me. Whether you are in a not-so-perfect job, annoyed with your roommates, in a state of singleness, struggling with tragedy or anything else that seems to be not going the way you thought it would, know that all things really do work together for His good. We can choose joy in every moment. Just like Paul says, “Rejoice in the Lord always”, and “In every circumstance give thanks”. Your present moments are preparing you for the future God has in store. The moments you can’t wait to get to will come in time, so enjoy all the wonderful blessings that are taking place right now.
Jessica is a member of Team LO and a senior at LA Tech majoring in Graphic Design. She enjoys spending quality time with her friends and family and loves to use her creative side!
Keep up with Jess on Instagram @jessicaroserob
