Helping Families Face The Future

FIVE GREAT RESOURCES FORHelping Families Face The FutureWith another new year just beginning, it is very natural for us, as families, to be thinking seriously about the future. Although there are many things we cannot know concerning the future, there is one thing we know for sure - it is unpredictable. One year ago, at this time, there were wives whose husbands were apparently in good health. A year later, they are widowed. There were families who considered themselves to be financially secure, but an unexpected disaster has depleted their resources. There were parents enjoying an energetic, pleasant teenager who has now become a rebel. There were couples that appeared to be models of good marriage, but are now divorced. Who would ever have expected these things? No, we really can’t predict much about the future. The Apostle Paul gives some great advice about facing life: “Forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 3:13-14 KJV). In other words, don’t live in the past, face the future courageously, and live life one day at a time. It was Solomon who wrote, “Boast not thyself of tomorrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth” (Prov. 27:1). He was not suggesting a careless or carefree approach to the future. He’s simply warning us of its uncertainty. We may not know what the future holds, but we know Who holds the future. And we can trust Him for whatever He allows or sends our way. And in that we can safely rest. We used to sing the chorus that says, “God knows all about tomorrow, for He holds it in His hands.” What does it take for Christian families to face an uncertain future? Let’s consider together five great resources: courage, commitment, convictions, concentration and confidence. 1. GREAT COURAGE:
When we consider the things that are taking place these days, that are greatly affecting our families, the future looks somewhat bleak, to say the least. However, in Isaiah 41:10 we read, “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” There are four precious things in this verse that we can count on to give us the great courage we need: God’s presence with us; God’s personal care for us; God’s power to strengthen us; and God’s promise to uphold us. It doesn’t get any better than that! 2. GREAT COMMITMENT:
Commitment is the “glue” that holds the family together. It is the measure of our determination. It is our refusal to be distracted, discouraged, or defeated. It is our commitment to Christ and to each other that will strengthen and enable us to face uncertainty. It is our willingness to declare, “We are a family! And for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, we will stick together!” 3. GREAT CONVICTIONS:
Convictions are those things we believe. That’s why it is so important to have biblical convictions. Our convictions condition our conduct. Our beliefs give substance to our behavior. We must believe right if we expect to live right. As we face the future, we may find ourselves standing on nothing but what we believe. Will our convictions be solid enough to support us if our world caves in? That’s what Paul meant when he wrote, “I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day” (2 Tim. 1:12). 4. GREAT CONCENTRATION:
Concentration is intense focus on our goals as a family. Remember, he who aims at nothing usually hits it! We must have clearly defined and achievable goals. Acts 2:46 says that the Christians in the early Church practiced their faith, “with gladness and singleness of heart.” And we, too, must stay focused as we face the future as a family: “That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us” (2 Tim. 1:14). 5. GREAT CONFIDENCE:
Confidence is our hope, our trust in God. The psalmist wrote, “Hope thou in God” (Ps. 42:5). There is no real hope in government, in educational institutions, in financial securities, or in military strength. Our only hope is in our God! Psalm 78:7, speaking of the family, says, “that they might set their hope in God.” That’s our greatest confidence as we face an unknown future.
From so many angles, the outlook for the family in the coming year is rather dark. But, when the outlook is dark, remember that we have the “uplook.” The future really is as bright as the promises of God. By Jack Palmer