Security now and in the future, it’s what everyone wants. But if you truly think about it, isn’t the future always uncertain? No one is promised tomorrow. Since this world-wide pandemic, that uncertainty has been super-sized, as we say in our American fast-food language.

When faced with fear and uncertainty about the future, I find it helpful to look back so that you can trust and not worry about the future.

My Story of Looking Back

I came across this picture looking for something else. Robert and I moved over a year ago and there are still items in boxes and closets, although we did a big clearing out.

Jackie Trottmann and niece Katie

This picture was taken in December of 2002. This is my niece, Katie. She just started her first year at Auburn.

That Christmas I was in a two-bedroom rental house. I was going through a divorce, was unemployed and running out of money in my savings and checking account. I had been in the radio business for 15 years but had left to take a position where I thought I’d have greater flexibility. That turned into a disaster and I quit.

I called all my radio connections, thinking it would be easy to get back in. But no one was hiring or at least hiring at the compensation they told me, “I deserved.”

I did a lot of emotional healing in that little house. Just when I thought I wouldn’t be able to pay my bills, a wonderful job came to me as a VP of Marketing that helped faith-based and charitable organizations raise funds. It was a dream job.

In the fall of 2003, God brought Robert Trottmann into my life. He’s been my rock and soul mate ever since. We celebrated our 15th wedding anniversary last year.

Look to the Future Because of God’s Faithfulness

Isaiah 41:10 Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strength you and help you.

At times, I’ve said that I wish a had a crystal ball to see how things would turn out. But that’s not how it works. It works by trusting that all is as it is supposed to be when we are faithful and trust that God has this. God’s provision and faithfulness is the source of our security.

It’s not good to dwell in the past and miss out on living in the present moment. But it’s good to go back to the past to see how far you have come and how God has provided in order to trust in your future.

And if you are not where you want to be, then maybe you need to create a vision that could be. Proverbs 29:18 says, “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” So I hope that you have a vision.

Now that the distractions of busyness and outside activities have been cancelled, it’s a great opportunity to take stock and create a new vision for yourself.

If you feel stuck because of fear, self-doubt or uncertainty, these three tips can help you get moving again to go with the flow.

God’s promise is to, “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you.”

I’m trusting that this time we are in will end soon and that all will be well. We can trust that God is faithful when we look back to see that faithfulness so we can look forward with confidence and find security in the future.

If you like this post and want more encouragement sent to you each week, find out more by checking out The Four Steps to Flow.

Want to learn to trust God more fully? This guided meditation in the form of a prayer can help.