While sitting at the back seat of our car en route to a conference where I was invited to speak as one of the guest speakers this morning, I recalled an SMS I received earlier in the day from a close friend asking "how are you going to cope in your new station" haven't heard of our transfer, he seems to be worried about what the future holds for us, and my wife seems to be taken aback for that inquiry. But should I be worried about the future and fill my heart with anxieties? certainly not. Doing that will lead to fear, and when fear sets in failure is inevitable.
Most people have anxiety about the future. They worry about what will happen in the future especially when starting a new thing. The prospect of not knowing what the near future holds can produce a lot of fear and anxiety. People want to know whether things will turn good or bad for them before embarking on any project. Can anyone tell what the future holds?
No one can tell what may happen
The future is in God's hands. No one can predict what may happen, even if you tried, you can't be 100% certain. You can only trust yourself and have faith that things will turn out good for you. Even if your fear wins over your faith and the things you are afraid of do happen there are factors you can take advantage of to conquer the circumstances.
1. Take a step at a time
One day at a time is all we ask from the Lord. You must learn to take one day at a time and take things slow. Today is all you have, instead of worrying and restless about how things will turn out the next day, next week, or months, put all your attention on today. Take the best you can from today. Each day has its unique opportunities to learn new things and you can take advantage of that to deal with your problems. Today has the answers to tomorrow's problems. While taking advantage of each day you can assure yourself that the future will be good for you.
2. Avoid being anxious
Anxiousness can lead to boredom, and when it's about the unknown future it can create tension that could lead to an error of choice on what to do best to handle the situation. Anytime you get anxious about what the future holds for you, try to visualize yourself in that future doing what you think best you can do in your mind. This will help you to create a mental picture of the future and how you fit in it. This is a great way to reduce the fear and stress of a coming situation and increase your self-confidence.
3. Relax and enjoy the moment
Changes are inevitable in life, and when it's about an uncertain future it means you are about entering into a season of changes in your life. And since you can't do anything about it try to enjoy the moment by thinking less about it. Find something you can do to occupy your mind and free yourself of anxieties and pressure. Listen to some good music and sing along with the time, watch a hilarious movie and laugh your tensions away, play with your kids or go for a walk with your wife if you are married. Engage yourself in activities that will give you a different perspective about things. Learn to relax, this will free you from your worries.
Remember that worrying makes things worse. Worrying cannot change anything. Do your best each day, and hope for the best, and whatever does happen, always ensure you are doing your best.
4. You may need help
At times most people find it hard dealing with the anxiety or fear of the future, if you are in such a category then talking to a counselor or clergyman can be of great help. I have had the privilege to provide counsel to several people in this case. There are ways to help manage fear and anxiety, all it takes is some effort to find those answers.
If anxiety only leads to boredom it wasn't such a problem but it does not. Anxiety kills and it's hard to fight it.
We can never predict the future but there are things we can do to feel safer and avoid stress.