"The future is almost always a topic that incites anxiety and fear. But what would it be like if, for once, we chose faith and hope over fear? In this article, Jessica shares her experiences with all life has thrown at her and how she made it through. Like that Backstreet Boys song goes, “In a world like this where some back down, I know we're gonna make it.” Future, here we come!"
by Jessica Ann
The future. The uncertainty of what is to happen remains to be one of man’s greatest sources of fear. No matter your age or achievements, this fear of the unknown, with burning questions like “what does the future hold for me?” transcends all.
As much as we avoid admitting it, we make plans and have an enormous expectation to ensure the plan works out. And when they do not, we take a big hit and conveniently blame ourselves.
Needless to say, these are turbulent times. People and organisations around the world have taken hit after hit. Yet despite our collective hardships and heartaches, disruptions and derailed plans, life, is good. Perhaps that sounds cheesy, simpleminded, pollyannaish, at least to some. Let me explain.
We have become so accustomed and comfortable with our life that when something pops the bubble we’ve been in, we find ourselves lost, not knowing how to cope, worried about the future and without a doubt, questioning our faith.
I’m here to tell you as an individual who has been challenged tremendously with life’s turbulence for the most part of my life, there’s always a silver lining to any negative situation.
"And what got me through was faith. As easy as it may sound with words, it was, by far, the most difficult pill I’ve had to swallow to move forward. "
Like most individuals, I made major plans when I was 17 as to how I wanted my life to turn out. And as we all know, what we plan does not always pan out the way we want it to because if it’s not in the books by the big guy up there, you can forget about it happening.
My faith was challenged over the last three years. I went into major financial debts, I was left heartbroken over a failed relationship, I lost both my parents to death, I injured my back and was told by every doctor I went to that I may never recover but would need a lifetime of physiotherapy and medications.
It really seems like I’ve seen it all, been through it all. Anyone facing all these situations can easily be questioning God and life right now, thinking “What did I do to deserve this?”.
Here’s the thing. They did not happen because of something I did, or didn’t do.
They were just chapters in my book.
I got through all that life threw at me and overcame them. As a result, I got to a better version of my life. It’s what I have gained out of these life experiences that made me a better woman today.
Faith helps you persist and brings out the best in you despite a heart and bone-breaking journey.
Faith introduces you to a version of yourself God created you to be and pushes you to be that version of yourself.
Faith heals brokenness and pain.
Faith leads to hope, hope leads to love and love always brings you back to God our Father.
Speculating our future is a sure road to anxiety and fear. It’s probably the one reason why God has called us to walk by faith, not by our “intelligent” prediction. Rather than having faith, we always prefer to beg God to do things our way.
So, why don’t we choose faith over fear, optimism over pessimism, courage over comfort, hope over despair.
Not only because the alternative is a recipe for greater suffering, but because hope is the only way we will be able to transform the suffering of this dark hour into a catalyst for the highest good in the lighter, brighter days that will surely follow.
Be hopeful no matter what your circumstances may throw at you and stay in faith!
by Jessica Ann
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