This week at a Bible study, we discussed what consumes our thoughts. At first, a few obvious answers came to mind—work, family, relationships, money. But then I realized the one thing that truly occupies my mind more than anything else: my future.

As we shared, I discovered I wasn’t alone. The other women felt the same way. Most of us think about the future constantly, especially in the working world. We are trained to anticipate what’s next. That’s why we create five-year business plans and set goals every year. But when you think about it, that’s not always what scripture tells us to do.

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Scripture calls us not only to have faith in what our future holds but to have HOPE—hope in Jesus.

I don’t know about you, but having hope for my future can feel scary. There are moments when I’m enjoying life, when I’m in a joyful or fulfilling season, and I find myself fearing its end. I hold onto it tightly. Or maybe for you, it’s a fear that God won’t provide in the way you want or even NEED. Trust me, as someone who is entirely commission-based, married to a husband who is also entirely commission-based, it’s easy to be afraid of a check not coming in next month.

But after a year of working in full-time photography, I find it ironic that my biggest worry is about the future and God’s provision. And yet, here I am, in a job that FORCES me to pray and rely on Him for inquiries and a paycheck. Of course, that comes with hard work and good business practices, but I’m talking about heart posture—because we can always want more.

Scripture calls us not only to have faith in what our future holds but to have HOPE—hope in Jesus.

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BUT here is what I do know scripture tells us:

• We will be provided for, much like the flowers of the field.\
  “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.” —Matthew 6:28-29
• We are to trust in the Lord.
  “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” —Proverbs 3:5-6
• We are to put our hope in the Lord.
  “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” —Isaiah 40:31
• His ways are better than our own.
  “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” —Isaiah 55:8-9

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Our fears tell us a lot about where our thoughts lie. 

So if you find yourself consumed by thoughts of the future, I hope this reminds you that God is already in it. He sees it all, He knows what you need, and He is faithful to provide. Our job isn’t to control it all—it’s to trust, to work diligently with what He has given us, and to place our HOPE in Him.