Fear about the Future

It isn’t as bad as you sometimes think it is.

It all works out. Don’t worry.

I say that to myself every morning.

It will all work out.

Put your trust in God,

and move forward with faith

and confidence in the future.

The Lord will not forsake us.

He will not forsake us.

If we will put our trust in Him,

if we will pray to Him,

if we will live worthy of His blessings,

He will hear our prayers.

-Gordon B. Hinckley “Put Your Trust in God”

Constantly, I am afraid of the challenges that lie ahead of me.

For example, at the beginning of a new semester at school, I get overwhelmed when I see the class outlines of the whole semester. I look at all that has to be done and I think, “How am I going to do all of this?”

This also happens when I get a new calling in church. Or when I think about how I am graduating at the end of this year and I am not 100% positive on what will happen next. My limited vision of the future scares me non-stop, but I have learned how to cope.

The main idea is that, in your mind, the future can be broken down into small doses. Don’t worry about everything all at once, but rather take it in bite-sized pieces.

For example, I recently had to write a research paper for one of my classes. As I read the rubric it felt like too much work. So instead of being overwhelmed with the whole process of writing this paper, I gave myself baby steps and I refused to procrastinate. I designated a day where I would find 3 sources to cite, and told myself the next day I would find an additional 3 sources. Then I would write for at least 10 minutes a day over the course of many days. This helped me avoid anxiety and stress, and I was able to write the paper with no problem.

Breaking down things into baby steps has helped me numerous times. I often tell myself, “Right now I just need to go to the doctor,” instead of excessively worrying about what is wrong with my incredibly sore throat, or “Right now I just need to go buy dessert for the party,” instead of worrying about how anxious I am going to be at the party, or “Right now I just need to practice this small section of this long Beethoven piece,” instead of worrying that I am never going to learn how to play the piece fast enough or good enough for my final, graded performance.

As long as I am working hard and doing what I know is right, there is no need to worry so much.

David A. Bednar once said the following which I feel applies to our fears about the future. (In reality the context behind this is that he addressed the question of how to differentiate between our own thoughts and what the Holy Spirit tells us, but his quote also applies to worrying about our future.)

“Quit worrying about it...You be a good boy, you be a good girl, you honor your covenants, you keep the commandments; and I promise you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ that as you press forward with faith in Christ, your footsteps will be guided. As you open your mouth, it will be filled, and you will be where you need to be, and most of the time, you will not even have any idea how you got there.”

It’s so true. I have looked back on my life and seen how much I have been guided without even realizing it, and I know that in the future I will continue to receive inspired direction. I know Heavenly Father has incredible future plans for each of His children.