Learn How to Stop Worrying About the Future

Bible verses about worrying about the future are the perfect antidote to anxious thoughts.  Do you worry about things that may or may not happen? Perhaps you find yourself in a vortex of “what if’s”. We all do it! I will think about all the potential scenarios and then make a plan for every hypothetical outcome. Making a plan for all the hypothetical outcomes eases the anxiety… for a little while. Until those anxious thoughts multiply- and they do!

 Anxious thoughts are like gremlins multiplying when you throw water on them. When you put your mind on worrying about the future, the anxious thoughts will grow and then we feel as though there is no escape. Hence the need to keep Bible verses about worrying about the future handy. After all, it is the antidote.

So, what causes so much worry about the future?

It all starts with a thought – an anxious thought. We become a fortune teller of sorts, predicting future danger. Why don’t we ever predict future goodness?

Worrying about the future is also quite common. Our brains are wired to fill in gaps of missing information. The future is a mystery – so our brains try to imagine all sorts of “what if’s” or hypothetical scenarios to prepare accordingly. That’s how we manage the anxious thoughts.

Thought (what if) – feeling (anxious) – action (make plans)

So let’s review. First, worry about the future starts with an anxious thought. It might be a thought that starts with what if…? Think for a second – what are you afraid of regarding the future?

Next, the fearful thought about the future causes anxiety, worry or fear. It doesn’t feel good, so we try to get rid of the emotion by doing something.

I don’t know about you, but I tend to try to come up with a plan to keep the fearful thoughts from becoming a reality. As a result, making a plan for all the different predictions of danger can wear a girl out!

What do you do to help ease worrying about the future? Are you tired of worrying?

Sure, we can do all sorts of things to help ease the feelings of worry and cope better, but that’s like mowing weeds down. I’m gonna do you one better. Instead of managing the anxious emotions with “coping skills”, let’s pull them out by the roots. We are gonna start challenging the thoughts. This will yield better and longer lasting results.

This brings us to Bible verses about worrying about the future. We must challenge fears about the future with truth. The only pure truth – is God’s Word.

Are you ready to start challenging the thoughts?

Bible Verses About Worrying About the Future

Using Scripture to battle the mind reaps huge benefits. The Bible has the power to transform our thought life.

For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Hebrews 4:12

Thoughts are based on beliefs we have about our self, our world and God. We must make sure we are lining up our thoughts with God’s words to defeat worrying about the future.

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is, his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2

As we get to know The Bible, our view of God becomes clearer. The better we understand how powerful and loving our God is, the less time we spend worrying (cause we know and trust He’s got it covered). Consequently, we experience more peace as we trust His words about our future.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13

While it is true, we will have trouble in this world, we also can have peace in spite of the troubles we face. We can choose to change anxious thoughts from fearing the future, to entrusting the future to God.

I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. John 16:33

The most powerful Bible verses that crush worrying about the future are the Attributes of God. When our thoughts center on our fears -the fears grow. Consequently, our view of the power of God shrinks.

“Worry implies that we don’t quite trust God is big enough, powerful enough or loving enough to take care of what’s happening in our lives.” Francis Chan

My favorite attributes of God that minimize worrying about the future are the following Bible verses:

He is powerful enough to change anything in a single moment.

He determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name. Great is our Lord and mighty in power some my call in his understanding has no limit. Psalm 147:4-5

He is sovereign – in control at all times. Nothing surprises Him about our circumstances.

Our God is in heaven; he does whatever pleases him. Psalm 115:3

God loves his people – He is love. Consequently, He lovingly cares for His people and their future.

What is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them? Psalm 8:4

God tells us not to fear throughout the entire Bible. This indicates a few things… He knew fear would be common to us and he doesn’t want us wasting time worrying. He has better plans for our time and it is not His will that our joy and peace be diminished by fear.

“…do not fear for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name and you are mine. Isaiah 43:1b

But how do we get rid of fear of the future?

Get in the Word!

Get in the Word! It is through the renewing of our mind (Romans 12:2) that we have a clear view of how big God is and how small we are! It’s never too late to begin studying the Bible. Time in Scripture builds faith (Romans 10:17), crushing fear.

Jesus replied, you are in error because you do not know the scriptures or the power of God. Matthew 22:29

Knowing what God says about the future also helps us take thoughts captive. We experience anxious thoughts about the future that result in fear. Those fearful thoughts must be lined up against Scripture in order to sort truth from lies.

We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:5

Be prayerful.

Be prayerful. God desires we take our fears straight to Him. After all, He can do more in a moment then we can do in a lifetime.

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

Practice Shifting the Focus Away From Worrying About the Future

It’s important to shift your focus by practicing healthy thought patterns. Whatever you put your mind to will grow. Just like going to the gym to strengthen your body takes time and intention, so does weeding out anxious thoughts by renewing your mind with Bible verses about the future.

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2

Practicing gratitude shifts negative anxious thoughts to thoughts of praise and positivity.

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Meditating on the attributes of God reminds us of his power in all things – even our future.

I will remember the deeds of the Lord some I call and yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. Psalm 77:11

What exactly do Bible verses about worrying about the future tell us?

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:34

Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly father feeds them. Are they not much more valuable than they? Can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? Matthew 6:25-27

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6

Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. Psalm 23:4

 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord himself, is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation. Isaiah 12:2

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you some my: I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10

Cast your cares upon the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken. Psalm 55:22

But now call my Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in you. Psalm 39:7

 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. Romans 8:18

Final Thoughts on Worrying About the Future

My hope for you when reading over Bible verses about worrying about the future is to be reminded of how big God is in relation to our circumstances. Remember His power, love and sovereignty and be flooded with His peace. Make the choice to believe His words over your worries.