Have you ever spent too much time worrying about the future?

I have. Anticipatory anxiety is when you’re worried sick about something that hasn’t happened. It comes down to overthinking, as though we have absolute power over the future. Some people want to engineer exact outcomes by studious planning, but none of us really can.

You may know it by the common term, future-tripping. It becomes apparent when someone verbalizes several what-if questions in a nervous tone. But a constant conversation in your head filled with what-if questions can lead you to paralysis by analysis— frozen by fear.

Today, I’ll tell you about God’s plan to overcome your fears.

But first, maybe it’ll help you to know that while future-tripping might be a modern term, it’s been humanity’s common blight since our Genesis fall. Every generation of every family has had to deal with fear. And as a matter of historical relevance to today’s celebration, fears surrounded the events of Jesus’ Passion Week. It culminated in what we know as Good Friday and the Cross. And fear’s justification didn’t just magically vanish after the first Easter morning. Adding insult to injury, after our sinless Savior was violently executed, His Body came up missing.

Let’s read about it from Mark 16:1-8.

God’s people were divinely prepared.

Jesus spent about 3.5 years publicly teaching. He prepared His closest followers for His future death and resurrection. But, just like we are prone, they often missed the importance of what He told them.

A few days before their Thursday Passover meal, they were with Jesus as He rode into Jerusalem’s hosannas. Surely, Zechariah’s prophecy was fulfilled. “Fear not, daughter of Zion; Behold, your King is coming, Sitting on a donkey’s colt” (Zech. 9:9). But days later, angry shouts of “Crucify Him, Crucify Him” rang out (Matthew 27:22-23)! Yet, as it unfolded, “His disciples did not understand these things” (see John 12:12-16).

Preparing them for future fears, Jesus said: “Do not seek what you should eat or what you should drink, nor have an anxious mind. For all these things the nations of the world seek after, and your Father knows that you need these things. But seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you. Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom” (Luke 12:29-32).

Jesus also gave them an end-times heads-up. He said, “There will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near” (Luke 21:25-27).

His followers heard all His teachings and could ask Him questions. Some people think their questions are dumb. But I say, don’t be afraid to ask dumb questions. Dumb questions are easier to handle than dumb mistakes.

Jesus did everything necessary to prepare His followers for their future. Their fears were nothing compared to the future He planned for them. They would not inherit a “spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7). The Spirit of adoption reminds today’s Christians: “The sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us” (Romans 8:18).

But God’s people all live in the present.

Jesus’ original followers lived in a time filled with what seemed like one confusing crisis and then another, one fearful thing after another.

Thomas was a doubter. Doubt is often, though not always, a byproduct of fear. When it was time to go with Jesus to see about Lazarus and his sisters, the disciples said something like, Umm, Jesus, you know some people want to kill you. They will be at the funeral. Thomas spoke up as they were heading out, saying, So this is how it ends. I guess we’ll all go and die with Him (see John 11:1-11). I get that sentiment. I’d have gone with Jesus, but I might have also been shaking my head in fear and doubt.

At Jesus’ arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane, His 11 disciples did not look like fearless heroes. They couldn’t even stay awake and pray with our Lord in His agony. He prayed until His sweat became like drops of blood, but they kept nodding off (Luke 22:41-46). While He talked with them, Judas and the religious mob showed up to arrest our Lord. Judas cowardly kissed Him. Peter violently operated in the flesh. And like a bunch of scared little schoolgirls, “all the disciples forsook Him and fled” (Matthew 26:36-56). One young Jesus follower was so afraid that when the mob grabbed for him, he ran right out of his clothes (Mark 14:50-52). Don’t judge them! We might have done the same. God knows; some of us might have even been like Judas or Peter.

Let’s not forget the Marys from our Mark 16 text. When they saw Jesus’ body was gone, “they fled from the tomb” (8). They shook with fear, too frightened to talk. Their speechlessness didn’t last very long.

We live in the present, too. It seems like a different world than the one in which Jesus’ first followers lived. But we’re also confronted daily with anxiety, confusion, and doubt. Our fears can get so bad that in moments of clarity, we ask, “How in the world did I get here?”

How did you get here?

We all came to Easter Sunday with differing needs and plans. Maybe you’re here out of religious duty. Perhaps you like the excitement of attending church on holy days. Or, maybe you gave in to a persistent friend or loved one. You might have found this church without a direct invitation. Or perhaps you’d say, “Even though I’ve not been here as often as I should, these people and this place is my church home.”

Nevertheless, I can assure you that you’re not here by your own doings. The Holy Spirit has drawn you so He can show you the possibility of a better future. No chance, coincidence, or luck are involved.

Still, I’m not as concerned with how you got here as I am with how you will leave. So first, let me reassure you. The tomb is empty! If you came here to pay your last respects to Jesus Christ or Christianity, you’ve shown up too late. Jesus “was crucified.” But “He is risen!” (6).

Jesus Christ is alive, and that changes everything!

No one can argue away The Empty Tomb. The wealthy Joseph of Arimathea and the notable Nicodemus knew they’d laid His body there. The Romans knew they’d sealed it shut. But their soldiers knew it was empty! The Marys knew it was empty! Peter and John knew it was empty! And you and I know it was and still is The Empty Tomb!

The point of The Empty Tomb is “the stone had been rolled away” (4) so we could see He lives! The stone rolled away means your story is open-ended! Now, “You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose” (Dr. Suess).

Sure, there’s more than one way to leave The Empty Tomb. But I can only recommend God’s way: believing His future over your fears! Like the Marys at the tomb, we see and hear, but we don’t have all the answers. So, we choose to walk by faith because God has set before us an open door (see John 10-7-10, Rev. 3:20), and we know “He is risen!”

If you came to The Empty Tomb expecting a sob story, I can only tell you this: Jesus lives!

And “Because He lives, I can face tomorrow, Because He lives, all fear is gone; Because I know He holds the future, And life is worth the living, Just because He lives!” (Bill & Gloria Gaither).

We can choose the future of God’s people over the fears of this world.

What is God’s plan to overcome your present fears?

The process is all about how you leave The Empty Tomb.

1) First, you must turn away from your sins and put your faith in what Jesus has done to save your soul. You can do that today.
2) Then, begin reading God’s Word, especially the New Testament. Read it as if the quality of the rest of your life depends on it—it really does.
3) While reading His Book, talk to God about your fears as though He’s your best friend. He really is! This is called your prayer life.
4) Next, you need to gather and connect with other believers as often as possible. We’re a family that meets here every Sunday.
5) Lastly, tell somebody else about your faith in Jesus Christ. Tell them you’ve chosen the future of God’s people over the fears of this world.

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At this link, you’ll find an explanation for the question- What Does It Mean to Be a Christian? Take some time to slowly read it today.