Question: Do you ever obsess about planning for the future and want everything to be perfect?
Story
Chloe opened her journal again and continued writing. She had just remembered something else she needed to add to her list.
Her phone ding and she checked. It was her best friend, Ella.
HEY CLO, WANNA GO TO THE SHOPS WITH ME? I HAVE TO GET SOME GROCERIES FOR MUM AND YOU KNOW HOW I HATE GROCERY SHOPPING. I NEED A PARTNER IN CRIME. LOL.
Chloe smiled and crossed her legs under her. She wanted to go, but she had so much work to do. Plus, she needed to finish her list of things that were stressing her. She didn’t really feel like shopping.
She sighed and texted Ella back.
SORRY ELL! I HAVE TONS OF THINGS TO FINISH AND I HAVEN’T FINISHED WRITING MY LIST. I FEEL REALLY STRESSED; YOU KNOW!
She pressed send and waited for her friend to reply. But instead, Ella rang.
As soon as Chloe picked up, Ella blurted. “Is this the same list of things that worry you?”
Chloe bit her bottom lip.
“Clo?”
Chloe exhaled. “Yes, it is.”
“Why do you continue adding to that list? I mean seriously, half the stuff doesn’t even apply to you yet. We’re only 15!”
“I know, I know. But there are so many things I don’t know about the future and it just bugs me…you know?”
“Alright, read me the first 5 things on your list,” Ella demanded on the other line.
“Why?” Chloe didn’t feel like reading her private list to her friend.
“I want you to hear yourself saying them out loud. Just do it Clo.”
Chloe took a deep breath and nodded. She held the book up and began to read.
“Who will I marry? How many kids am I gonna have? What if I can’t have kids? Will my husband leave me cause I can’t birth babies? What about my career? What am I going to study and where will I work? What if flunk school and can’t even go to university?”
“Stop!” Ella’s voice rang clear from the other side of the phone. “Seriously Chloe, did you hear yourself? I mean, you’re talking about stuff that isn’t even close to happening. Or are you going to get married tomorrow or something?”
Chloe shook her head. “No. No, I’m not.”
“And are you going to graduate next week? We have 2 and a half years to go. So much can happen. In my opinion, you need to rip every page of that book and let God take care of your future. You’re going to have a worry heart attack for nothing.”
Chloe’s dark eyes rounded at her friends’ words. She opened her mouth to defend herself, but nothing came out. She looked down at her list. Ella was right. Everything she had written was for when she was a grownup. Maybe she should let God take care of the future. That didn’t sound like such a bad idea after all. Closing her book with a thud, she closed her eyes and said, “I’ll wait for you and we can walk to the corner store to do the shopping.”
The cheering and hollering of Ella made her giggle, and she realised it had been days since she had laughed with all her heart.
How does God feel when you worry and obsess about the future? He feels saddened that you are worried about something. He is the only one that has control over. Our worry will change nothing.
1 Peter 5:7 says (NIV) Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
Whenever you feel overwhelmed or anxious about the future–talk to him about and let God take care of it.
What can you do about it?
Trust fully in the promises of our God and pray!
Also, here are three tips on what to do when you’re feeling worried/stressed or anxious.
- Identify your feelings and write them down–what is causing you to feel that way?
- Practice exercise and breathing–learn to relax your muscles and think positive. Prayer is a great thing to practice. Also, personal time with God in the morning is essential. This sets you up for the day.
- Be open and talk about your feelings to your parents or an adult you trust, like a chaplain, a counsellor, a teacher or mentor at church.
What verse can help…
Jeremiah 29:11 “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.”
