Looking at both the imminent end of one year and the beginning of another gives us a unique perspective on how short and fleeting our lives are. Our present will soon become our past as our future arrives and becomes our “now,” and it will happen whether we’re ready for it or not. This annual transition can spark a number of emotions, one of which could be fear of the future. The world feels this every year, but the believer can maintain a confidence that others lack.

The world has a way of making its own plans, independent from God. However, as Christians, we’re living in the world but aren’t part of it. There’s no way of knowing what will happen tomorrow, next week, next month, or next year. Making God an integral part of our plans protects us from disaster. “Look here, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year. We will do business there and make a profit.’ How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone. What you ought to say is, ‘If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that.’ Otherwise you are boasting about your own pretentious plans, and all such boasting is evil” (James 4:13-16, NLT).

We’ve become accustomed to seeing evil and tragedy occur in our external environment. We make a mistake when we focus on it; this focus can put so much fear in us that we forget how to make plans to successfully face the future. What most people forget is that trusting in God brings success to all God-inspired plans. “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths” (Proverbs 3:5, 6). Letting Him guide our steps keeps us safe.

God loves us and wants to show us grace, which is His undeserved, unearned favor. A deeper definition of grace is the unmerited, abounding provision of the operation of God's unrestrained, infinite love that works through Jesus Christ for mankind, especially for those who depend on Him. It enables us to be confident in a fearful world. “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16). With the condition the world is in today, a future without God’s grace is terrifying and disastrous.

During His ministry, Jesus prophesied what the world would evolve into. “And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places…And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold” (Matthew 24:6, 7, 10-12, NKJV). That time is here. However, despite what we’re seeing around us, there’s nothing to fear when we rely on God.

The future is bleak for those who don’t know God and don’t want to know Him. It’s the exact opposite for the people who choose to lean on Him. Letting Him lead us forward gives us peace, hope, and joy in the midst of it all.