Edward T. Welch, a Biblical counselor and author, says that “worriers are false prophets.” They use the past to predict the future. If something bad happened in the past, it might happen in the future. Projecting negative images from the past onto the future, we feel anxious and afraid. We worry because we are trying to grab hold of some control of the future. That is impossible.
But there is a way to use the past to “know” the future. Psalm 66:5 says, “Come and see what God has done, His awesome deeds for mankind!” Countless other verses encourage us to look back to see God’s mighty works. And God never changes. Hebrews 13:8 reminds us of this promise: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” So if the Lord never changes, then we know that His promises will still remain true in the future. Even though I may not know the specific details that will occur, I do know the character of my God and I can trust Him.
“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” (1 John 3:1) God’s love is deeper than I can imagine, it covers completely, and never ends. Knowing that He is sovereign over all things and that He has such great love for me should motivate me to trust Him. Everything He allows me to face is for my good. I don’t need to know the future when I can know my God.