Why are you worried about tomorrow?

There is something called dreading the future or anticipatory fear. It simply means the feeling of being scared about something that hasn’t happened yet but might happen in the future.

For example, being diagnosed of a terminal illness. You think of it and you’re worried because you know you’re going to die. Or you’re a woman in your mid-forties, never married, and soon hitting menopause. You begin to worry for fear of not getting children. Other examples may include, grieving the loss of dear ones such as parents, siblings, children, etc. Every loss pains and being scared of how the future will hold for you puts you in an anticipatory fear. You may also dread the future by thinking of how you will live your life after retirement.

Anticipatory fear is a psychological trauma. It makes you live in your mind instead of reality. It often affects the quality of life and can lead to a nervous breakdown. Frank Anderson (MD) has said:

When the anticipatory fear is rooted in a past event or experience, it is often associated with dread, which can be physiologically intense and frequently associated with something ominous or traumatic in nature. Some form of trauma is often at the root of a dread response.

Are you going through anticipatory fear at the moment? Don’t worry, God has a solution for you.

1) First, in Matthew 6:34 Jesus says, “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

Jesus knew the dangers of dreading the future. Therefore, He is saying to you, “Live in the Present”; one day at a time. Instead of getting caught up in the “what-ifs” of tomorrow, focus on the present and find peace in the now. Tony Evans puts it this way in his Bible Commentary on Matthew 6:34:

Today is the tomorrow you were worried about yesterday. Focusing on living for God’s kingdom today is the antidote to worry.

If you focus on the present, you can change many things in the future. Tell God to show you how to live the present.

2) Second, learn to trust in God’s plan for your life. Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

When anticipatory fear grips you, you must remember that God has a plan. Trusting in His plan means believing that whatever the future holds, it’s for your good. Remember Paul’s words to the believers in Rome in Romans 8:28, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” Know that God has got your back.

3) Third, remember the goodness of the Lord in time past. Isaiah 46: 9 says, “Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me.” You can overcome dreading the future by reflecting on how God has guided you in the past. In the state of an anticipatory fear, Pastor Greg Davies says:

Recall those moments when you faced similar challenges, filled with thoughts of doom and gloom, thinking all was lost. Remember those days you felt it was over, yet God intervened and saw you through. He will come through for you again.

4) Fourth, tell all your worries to God in prayer. Philippians 4:6-7 says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” When fear takes hold on you, bow your head, close your eyes, and seek the peace that only God can provide through prayer. God cares and loves you so much.