I noticed something as I was looking over past entries in my journal. I stressed about the future a ton. I planned out things I hoped I would do and worried about things I knew were coming.

But COVID-19 stopped all those things.

I spent so much time stressing, and yet none of it is happening! That’s been a reminder to me that I’m not in control of my future. Even through the craziness of this time, I don’t need to worry.

WE DON’T KNOW WHAT HAPPENS TOMORROW

We often say that our plans will only happen if they are the Lord’s will. We admit that only God knows the future and that our plans are in his hands.

But in reality, we cling to our ideas for the future more than we’d like to admit. Though I may say that my future is in God’s control, I plan and stress like it’s in mine.

Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil. 

James 4:13-16

COVID-19 has stripped away the illusion of our control. When we’re in the normal routine of life, it feels like we know what will happen tomorrow, next week, next month and in future years.

But the uncertainty of this virus is a reminder that we don’t ever control our futures. When we’re in the midst of a pandemic, or our normal lives, we don’t know what happens tomorrow.

WE KNOW WHO IS IN CONTROL

Though we don’t know what the future holds, we know who controls it.

God is the one who ordains everything that happens in our lives. Nothing happens outside of his rule and reign.

Not only is God in control, but he is good. Because we are his treasured possessions, we can trust that he is working for our eternal good.

Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.

Psalm 34:8

When the world crumbles around us (and when it doesn’t!), we can trust in our good God. Our future is in his hands, not our own.

DON’T FEAR THE FUTURE

Even in the midst of this pandemic, we don’t have to fear the future.

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Matthew 6:34

Tomorrow is in the hands of our good God who loves us. We don’t need to fear, because he knows what is best for us. He will be our strength through tomorrow just like he is today.

Don’t worry about tomorrow. Be still, and trust that God is in control.