As I thought about that time of life, I tried to get back in the head of my 17-year-old self. What were my questions and concerns about the future? What was I thinking about? What advice or information might have been helpful if someone had told me—and I was willing to listen—at that time?
One thing might have been to hear that life will rarely go just as expected or planned, and if we’re not careful, this could really cause a lot of stress when things don’t go our way, or we find ourselves in unexpected circumstances. In these unsure or unexpected situations is where we really learn the truth found in Matthew 6:31-34:
“So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
When we try to figure everything out ahead of time, we’re likely to frustrate ourselves and cause a lot of stress. Instead, let us learn to take things one step at a time and make sure we’re seeking God and following His ways as we go. When we do that, we can know that He will provide for all of the unexpected things that will come up.