Don't Let Fear of the Future Stop You From Enjoying Your Life Today

Fear of the future is a real thing. I googled it. It is called "Chronophobia" which is the fear of time.

Who knew?

People with chronophobia are afraid of passing time because they fear their time on earth is limited.

Ummmmm, hello, it is!

Those who suffer most with chronophobia are those in prison, the elderly, as well as those who have been diagnose with a terminal illness. They feel that time moves too fast keeping them from accomplishing their purpose on earth.

The truth is, many of us are probably experiencing symptoms of chronophobia (fear of time/future) because of the effects of Covid-19. This novel virus has interrupted everyone's life in some way or another reeking havoc on our physical and mental well-being with things like quarantine, self-isolation, social distancing, lockdown, economic shutdown, and empty shelves at the grocery store (like toilet paper, which makes zero sense).

Add to that all the political hub bub that is bombarding the TV and internet (I mean some people have really lost their marbles). All of this can start making your head spin and cause you to physically and mentally shut down and basically give up on life. When you can't figure out what is going on, "what if's" attack causing you to be paralyzed with fear.

News Flash! This is exactly what Satan wants you to feel. His tactics have not changed from the beginning of time when he deceived Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden. He wants you to doubt God's goodness by distorting the truth and ultimately sabotaging the good work God has planned for you to do.

Now, more than ever, we need to know God, his authority, his power to protect his people, and his plan to complete the good work. Don't let a pandemic keep you from moving forward in life.

Here are some steps to help you enjoy today!

Do the work God has prepared for you to do.

Don't shrink back from your dream. Yes, it may need to be tweaked a bit, but don't let Satan get in your head. God desires to use your very gifts and talents in society to reveal His glory. Your life matters. What you do matters. Don't let Satan tell you any different. Use every situation to see the need in the world around you and then meet that need with the resources God has given you. Nothing changes. You have something to offer the world to make it better.

For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. - Ephesians 2:10

Number your days.

Yes, we all have a limited amount of days here on earth. The truth is, our bodies are decaying day by day. Don't let Satan scare you with "your days are limited" tactics. That is nothing new. You already knew that. Now go live life for today. Do you want to make a difference? Get after it. Do you want to enjoy God's beauty? Go on a vacation.

Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

- Psalm 90:12

Make the best use of your time.

There is nothing worse than going through life and wishing you had done things differently. Some of us will say that about this pandemic. When we look back, we will say, "oh man, why didn't I take advantage of a slower pace when I had it?"

There is something very key here that we must understand. Time is important! What you do with your time is even more important. Having a plan is essential. Without a vision the people perish. Why? Zero vision/plan produces inactivity. Inactivity is idle time. Idle time is the devils playground. And this is where Satan will start to get in your head and cause you to doubt God, yourself, and the work God has prepared for you.

Be very careful, then , how you live--not as unwise but as wise,

making the most of every opportunity because the days are evil.

- Ephesians 5:15-16

Remember God is in control.

Make no mistake. Satan knows God's power and authority. He knows his own time here on earth is limited. Why else do you think he is using "fear of time" to distract you from the good work God has called you to do? He fears the same thing. He has limited time to cause you to doubt God, distort the truth, and cause division.

Take the story of the demon possessed shepherds in Matthew 28. The demons saw God, knew God, and knew His authority to judge and cast them into everlasting punishment.

So they ask to be cast into a herd of pigs. If Satan were in control wouldn't you think he would have had the power to say the word himself and be cast into the pigs. Or how about just do it if you are so powerful, Satan! But he understood that God's word trumps and triumphs every time. God is the One with the authority!

"What do you want with us," Son of God?" they shouted.

"Have you come here to torture us before the appointed time?"

---

The demons begged Jesus, "If you drive us out,

send us into the herd of pigs."

-Matthew 8:29,31

Focus on Heaven

Death here on earth is not the end. I remember when I was little I would try to imagine eternity in a grave. That was a was very scary thought... to think that after we die we would just lay in a grave for ever and ever and ever. No more life as we know it. But this is not what the Bible teaches about eternity. Reality is, there is life after death. It is either in heaven or hell. Those are the two options...God or Satan.

God does not intend to harm you but to prosper you and give you a hope and a future. Everything we experience now is intended to prepare us for the future. And our ultimate future is completely restored and redeemed the way it was intended to be.

But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and

a new earth in which righteousness dwells.

- 2 Peter 3:13

Satan's plan, however, is to completely derail all the good things God has planned for you with doubt, distortion, and division. He is waging war, spreading lies and fear among the saints hoping they will waver and shrink back from making God known and making the world a better place, and enjoying all that God has created.

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering,

for he who promised is faithful.

- Hebrews 10:23

Don't let a pandemic and the things surrounding it cause you to loose focus on the life God has called you to.

Don't be deceived. Know truth. And the truth will set you free!