7 Things We Struggle to Believe about Our Futures

Have you ever struggled to believe in something? Maybe you wanted to attend a certain university but figured you weren't good enough. Maybe you thought that being yourself around people would mean that no one would ever like or accept you. Or maybe you struggled to believe that God loves you because someone in your past did not.

I don’t mind telling you, there have been many things I’ve struggled to believe about my future: marriage, children, a life free from addiction. The list goes on and on.

God is no stranger to our struggle with faith. Remember, Jacob’s name was changed to Israel, which means ‘struggle with God.’

We struggle to believe in our futures often because we struggle to believe in God. Once we rectify that chink in our faith, a brighter future looks all the more reasonable. We do this by finding our reassurance through prayer and Scripture.

If you’re struggling today, you’re not alone. Here are 7 things we struggle to believe about our futures.

1. Financial Stability

A big area of concern for many believers, especially young adults fresh out of college, is financial stability. Imagining a future free from debt seems illogical, while the thought of going broke seems very plausible.

Even with the promise from loan companies that you will only have to pay a certain amount each month, the interest adds up. Add that to the cost of living on your own (and inflation) and you have yourself a recipe for anxiety.

When doubt about financial stability sets in, remind yourself of Scripture. God knows your needs. Seek Him for wisdom on what practical steps you can take for financial stability, and trust Him with the rest.

“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you.” (Matthew 6:33)

2. Success

Part of the reason some struggle to envision a successful future is that they have the wrong notion of success. If we’re serving the Lord, then a successful future consists of just that, serving the Lord. Maybe we grow in our ability to serve, even the number of people we serve, but the goal is not fame and money. The goal is service.

God is able and willing to guide those who put Him first. Seek God for a successful future, not the world.

“Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light on my path.” (Psalm 119:105)

3. Marriage

The dating scene is as difficult and horrendous as the horror stories claim. That being said, believing in God has never required convenience or good circumstances. We trust God for who He is, not because of what the dating scene looks like. For people hoping to find their special someone, having hope is tough; having patience is even harder. Still, if God is the God of our finances, our success, surely He is also Lord over our love lives.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding;” (Proverbs 3:5)

4. Children

Some have been waiting years and years to have children, but the fear of infertility is all too familiar and runs all too deep. With prayer, petition, and some patience, God will bless most of us with children. But even when that doesn’t happen as we desire, there are other ways to parent. Adoption is a viable option, especially with the overturning of Roe v. Wade. You can also consider mentoring youth inside or outside of the church.

We can trust that God knows what He is doing in our lives. He was with us prior to the moment of wanting children, and He’ll be with us afterward. Seek Him for direction.

“Sons are indeed a heritage from the Lord, offspring, a reward.” (Psalm 127:3)

5. Healing

Some of us were born with certain diseases, others developed sicknesses later in life. While many illnesses go away, that is not the case for all. Some of us live lame or blind. And what marks we don’t carry outwardly we may display inwardly with schizophrenia, memory loss, and more.

We pray and lament, hoping for healing, and question when healing will ever come. Sometimes God answers our prayers quickly, sometimes not, and sometimes He doesn’t do what we want.

However, we should take heart, for he is glorified even in our illness.

“‘Neither this man nor his parents sinned, Jesus answered. ‘This came about so that God’s works might be displayed in him.’” (John 9:3)

6. Addiction & Bad Habits

One of the lies addiction tells us is that we will never change. Spend enough time in addiction, listen to the thoughts enough, and you very well may believe the lie. However, the lie is just that, a lie. Our futures can be bright and beautiful if we allow them to be. And one way to do that is by overcoming addiction.

This is not a feat we can do on our own, but we can make strides by placing our hope in God. We are indeed powerless over the shackles that keep us bound to alcohol, smoking, and pornography. However, Jesus sets us free and whoever is free is free indeed.

Believe and walk in this truth and watch your future grow brighter day by day.

“No temptation has come upon you except what is common to humanity. But God is faithful; he will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to bear it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13) 

7. Worthiness

Where do you get your worth? Some people gain theirs from work, relationships, and money. As Christians, we recognize that our worth comes from God. The moment we are conceived, and even before, God has designed a plan for our lives. And in His plan, He reveals an incomprehensible love for us. Where we go wrong is doubting our worth because of bad experiences or past mistakes. Some of us doubt because our parents didn’t offer affirmation. Sometimes our parents weren’t there at all. Or maybe we lacked friends in school. Maybe you’ve never gone on a date, or don’t have the social status you want. However, all those things, the affirmation of others and the status, the money, all of these are ephemeral. Yet, God doesn’t change. His love is forever.

Start seeing your future as one of worthiness.

Conclusion: A Faith That Contradicts the Past

There’s a line that sticks with me from one of my past dance performances. “The past does not predict the future.” Doubt often leads me to think the statement is false, but how many times does God have to prove me wrong before I stop doubting? How many times does God have to prove you wrong before you stop doubting?

With a faith focused on Christ, what is impossible becomes possible for us (Philippians 4:13).

Let’s aspire to create within ourselves a faith that contradicts the past. Yes, the past may have been hard. We may have suffered, lost, and been hurt in so many ways, but God promises good for those who seek Him. Some good in this life, and oh so much more in the next!

“We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

Related Resource! Listen to our FREE Podcast on managing stress! The Stress Less Podcast with Bonnie Gray. You can listen to our latest episode right here. For more episodes, visit LifeAudio.com!

Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/Rasica 

Aaron D'Anthony Brown is a freelance writer, hip-hop dance teacher, and visual artist, living in Virginia. He currently contributes work to iBelieve, Crosswalk, and supports various clients through the platform Upwork. He's an outside-the-box thinker with a penchant for challenging the status quo. Check out his short story “Serenity.”