Overcoming the Fear of the Future
Pastor Tyler Renteria
Many of us wrestle with fear—especially when it comes to the unknown. The fear of what’s ahead can cause anxiety, making it difficult to live in the present. But fear of the future is something we can learn to navigate differently with God’s help. Today, we’re diving into how to approach this kind of fear in a way that invites peace, not panic. Click the link above for the full message.
What Is Anticipatory Anxiety?
Most people have experienced moments when they’re worrying about something that hasn’t even happened yet. Psychologists call this anticipatory anxiety—the habit of anticipating the worst-case scenario. It’s common to feel overwhelmed by future possibilities, even if they never come to pass.
Perhaps you’re already feeling this. Maybe you glanced at your schedule this morning and felt anxious about the busy week ahead. Maybe family conflict looms as the holidays approach, or you’re anxious about a big decision that’s on the horizon. These thoughts can leave us paralyzed, even if we don’t realize it.
While these concerns are very real, it’s important to acknowledge how this kind of worry can impact us. When we are consumed by fear of the future, it robs us of joy and peace in the present. Corrie Ten Boom, a Christian activist during WWII, famously said, “Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow. It empties today of its strength.”
How Fear Impacts Our Spiritual Lives
When we live in constant fear of the future, it goes beyond just mental exhaustion; it has a spiritual impact as well. Our fears can take up so much space in our minds that they leave little room for God’s promises to take root. Fear replaces the joy we’re meant to experience in our day-to-day life with worry and dread.
But what if we shifted our perspective? What if we recognized that this isn’t the kind of life God desires for us? We aren’t meant to live in fear of what’s next. God’s protection isn’t something we have to wait for in the future—His refuge is available to us right now, in this very moment, even in the middle of our anxious thoughts about the future.
The Battle of the Mind
When it comes to dealing with the fear of the future, the battle often starts in our minds. In Psalm 64:1, the psalmist prays, “Hear my voice, O God, in my complaint; preserve my life from dread of the enemy.” This verse highlights a key truth: much of the fear we experience isn’t based on real, present threats. It’s based on potential future threats—the things we think might happen.
We are often more afraid of the hypothetical future than we are of any actual present danger. When we allow our minds to dwell on worst-case scenarios, we lose our joy in the here and now. But God calls us to take these thoughts captive before they take us captive.
How to Take Every Thought Captive
So, how do we take our thoughts captive? 2 Corinthians 10:5 gives us clear direction: “We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ.”
Taking thoughts captive doesn’t mean we suppress or ignore our fears. Instead, we must actively transform them by filtering them through God’s Word. When we immerse ourselves in God’s promises, we replace anxiety with trust.
One of the most powerful promises we can lean on when we fear the future is God’s promise of provision.
God’s Promise of Provision
God’s Word is full of reminders that He is faithful to provide. Consider these verses that speak to God’s provision:
Exodus 16:4 – “Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘I will rain down bread from heaven for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day.’”
Lamentations 3:22-23 – “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.”
2 Corinthians 4:16 – “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.”
It’s crucial to notice the timing of these promises. God provides what we need for each day—today’s strength isn’t meant to carry us through tomorrow. If you don’t feel equipped to handle next week or next month, that’s okay. God promises to give us what we need, but we can trust that He will provide it at the right time.
Our mission is simple: Live for God today and trust Him for tomorrow.
Navigating Decisions About the Future
A huge part of the fear of the future stems from decision-making. We fear that one wrong move could ruin everything, and the weight of those decisions can feel overwhelming. When you’re deciding whether to move, change jobs, or make a big life change, it’s easy to feel like everything hinges on making the perfect choice.
But God’s will for our lives is less about making the “right” decision and more about walking faithfully with Him, no matter where life takes us. Often, we get caught up in thinking that there is only one correct choice, and if we miss it, we’ll miss out on God’s best for us. But in reality, God is more concerned with the condition of our hearts than He is with the specific circumstances we choose.
The Freedom to Choose
2 Timothy 1:7 reminds us, “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline.” God doesn’t want us to be paralyzed by the fear of making the wrong decision. He gives us the freedom to choose while inviting us to trust Him with the outcomes.
When we walk in the power of the Holy Spirit, we can move forward confidently, knowing that God is with us no matter which path we take. It’s not about making perfect choices but about faithfully following Jesus in each moment.
Finding Hope in God's Character
One of the hardest things about fearing the future is learning to trust God when we can’t see what’s ahead. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by uncertainty, but the key to overcoming this fear is found in who God is.
God is sovereign, which means He is in control, even when life feels chaotic. He knows the future, and His plans are good. Even when our circumstances seem overwhelming, God’s character doesn’t change. He loves us, He holds us, and He will never leave us.
We don’t have to fear the future because we know the One who holds it.
Call to Action: Trust God Today
If you find yourself overwhelmed by fear of the future, here are a few practical steps to take today:
Identify your fears – Take time to acknowledge the specific things that are causing you anxiety.
Pray over them – Bring your fears to God, asking Him to meet you in the midst of them.
Seek God's promises – Spend time in Scripture, focusing on verses that speak to God's provision and faithfulness.
Take action – Don't wait until you feel “ready.” Trust God enough to move forward, even in the face of uncertainty.
By taking these steps, you’ll be reminded that God is in control, and you can rest in His promises, knowing that He will provide what you need at just the right time.
Further Reading
Other Links
Want to hear more? Check out last week’s message titled, “The Fear of God,” from Pastor Reed at View Church onYouTube.
For more resources, visit our View Church resource page.