Some Psychologists tell us that when we fear, worry, and stress about things, it is usually because we are thinking about some past event, or we are thinking about something bad that might happen in the future. Often, we can be sitting perfectly safely in our home, with nothing threatening around, but we have fear and anxiety about a potential event.

One of the techniques to overcoming this fear, stress, or worry, is to put our focus on the present place and time, and try not to think about the future. Doing this, can cool our emotions, gather our thoughts, and look at the future more objectively.

In Psalm 31:14-15 David deals with his fears and discouragement by saying, “But I am trusting you, O Lord, saying, “You are my God!” My future is in your hands. Rescue me from those who hunt me down relentlessly.”

Then he writes in verses 23-24, “For the Lord protects those who are loyal to him, but he harshly punishes the arrogant. So be strong and courageous, all you who put your hope in the Lord!”

Like David, when we are weak, discouraged and disappointed, we should remember to hand over our future to God and trust his plans.

Dear Lord, when we encounter obstacles, disappointment and discouragement in life, we can find ourselves with a negative and fearful outlook for the future. Help us interrupt this thought process, and hand our future over to you, so that we can be strong and courageous because we have put our hope in you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.