Peace for What Lies Ahead

If you could know the future, would you want to? As our nightly prayer and devotional remind us, for most of us, the answer might be yes — because we long to feel prepared, safe, and in control. Yet, as Amber Ginter reminds us, peace doesn’t come from knowing what’s ahead — it comes from trusting the One who does. Amber recalls a moment in a Hobby Lobby when she came across a sign that read, “Thank you, Lord, for all the things that didn’t go the way I planned.” The message stopped her in her tracks — a humbling reminder that God’s plans often look different from our own, yet they are always better. Isaiah 55:8–9 tells us, “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.” God’s higher wisdom means we can release our grip on control and rest in His sovereign care. Like a loving Father, He withholds what might harm us and leads us toward what will bless us — even when we can’t see the full picture. We don’t need to predict the future to have peace about it. Proverbs 3:5–6 invites us to trust in the Lord with all our hearts and not lean on our own understanding. When we acknowledge Him in every decision, He makes our paths straight. Friend, whatever lies ahead, you can trust an unknown future to a known God. His plans are steady. His love is constant. And His peace — the kind that surpasses understanding — is available to you right now, in this moment, no matter what tomorrow holds. TONIGHT’S SCRIPTURE “You crown the year with your bounty, and your carts overflow with abundance.”— Psalm 65:11 (NIV) MAIN TAKEAWAYS True peace comes from trusting God, not from knowing the future. God’s thoughts and ways are higher than ours — His plans are always for our good. Releasing control allows us to experience the peace that comes from His sovereignty. Trust in God brings clarity and direction even when circumstances feel uncertain. You can confidently place your future in the hands of a God who never fails. SCRIPTURE REFERENCES Psalm 65:11 Isaiah 55:8–9 Proverbs 3:5–6 Philippians 4:7 YOUR EVENING PRAYER Dear God,So often, we long to know what’s coming next because uncertainty makes us anxious. But peace doesn’t come from control — it comes from trusting You. Help us to surrender our fears about the future and rest in Your perfect wisdom. When our plans fall apart, remind us that Your ways are better. Thank You for being our peace, our protector, and our provider in every season.In Jesus’ name, Amen. THREE THINGS TO MEDITATE UPON List Bible verses that speak about God’s peace (like John 14:27, Philippians 4:7, and Psalm 29:11). Write down your current worries beside them, and use Scripture to reframe your fears. Meditate on Psalm 65:11 — memorize it and repeat it when you’re tempted to rely on yourself instead of God. Journal about Isaiah 55:8. Be honest with God about where you struggle to trust His plan, and ask Him to show you His peace today — then share that peace with someone else. CALL TO ACTION Subscribe to Your Nightly Prayer for nightly encouragement rooted in God’s Word. Visit LifeAudio.com for more devotional podcasts to strengthen your faith. Share tonight’s reflection with a friend who needs a reminder that peace is found in trusting God’s timing, not knowing the outcome. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.