What's Next?

As Anna digs though the graduation cards and gifts scattered all over her room, her minds starts to wander. She starts thinking back to the past four years of high school and all of the great memories she made.

"What an awesome time," she thinks. And then a wave of panic hits her like a brick wall. Her mind starts whirring with thoughts of the future.

"I can't believe I leave for college in two months. What if college isn't as fun as high school? What if I fail? What if I don't make any friends? What if I can't pick a major? What if I don't get a good job? Oh Lord, what's next?"

> > Look It Up > >

Maybe you're like Anna--fearful and apprehensive about what lies ahead. If so, you're not alone. Look at Psalm 34. Even David felt fearful and uncertain about the future.

Here's the background of the psalm: David had been anointed as the future king. As a result, jealous King Saul, the reigning monarch, was trying to kill him. Abandoned and terrified, David sat in a cave wondering what the future was going to hold for him (see 1 Samuel 22:1).

Not until David turned to God -(Psalm 34:4)- and remembered God's goodness--(Psalm 34:8) -was David able to come to grips with his fear.

.:: Think It Through ::.

Consider the good side of fear: While jogging, you are chased by a vicious pit bull bearing fangs and foaming at the mouth. The adrenal glands kick in and suddenly you are transformed into what you always wanted to be - a world-class sprinter. Covering 100 yard in under 10 seconds, you jump over a 6-foot fence - an unofficial world record!

Then there's the bad side of fear: Like Anna, you ter fear (in this case, fear of the future) paralyze and consume you. You focus on the situation rather than on the solution.

> Work It Out >

Are you afraid of your future? Freaked out by the thought of college or career? Scared you won't find happiness and fulfillment? Why not follow David's lead?

1. Seek the Lord. Tell Him you worries and ak Him to deliver you from your fears.

2. Remember God's goodness. He's not interested in playinggames with your emotions. God cares deeply about his people. (Claim the promise of Romans 8:32. It's an amazing verse!)

Nail it Down:

" 'For this reason I say to you, do not be anxious for you life, as to what you shall eat, or what you shall drink; nor for your body, as to what you shall put on. Is not life more than food, and the body than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single cubit to his life's span? And why are you so anxious about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do the spin, yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory did not clothe himself like one of these. But if God so arrays the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more do so for you, O men of little faith? Do not be anxious then, saying, 'what shall we clothe ourselves?' For all these things the Gentiles eagerly seek; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious for tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

(Mattew 6:25-34 NASB)