How do you move forward when life suddenly takes a turn and your future is not what you expected? Perhaps an unexpected loss has dismantled the life you love. Discover today how to let go and embrace an unknown future.
Please meet our guest, Hadassah True, who knows the excruciating pain of loss and what it takes to find a way forward. She beautifully shares with us three steps to letting go and five Biblical truths to embrace an unknown future. Our unexpected pain may not be the same as Hadassah’s; however, her insight will help us move forward with any unexpected loss.
Discover how to let go and embrace an unknown future from our guest Hadassah True. #unknownfuture #embrace #letgo #hadassahtrue Share on XHow to Let Go and Embrace an Unknown Future
By Hadassah Treu
When the tragedy struck, I plunged to the bottom of a sea of darkness and excruciating pain. Nothing would have prepared me for this moment–the moment of my husband’s unexpected and premature death about two years ago. One moment I was happily married to my best friend, living a life I loved and cherished. And the next moment, my happy life and my secure future with my love were forever gone. I sat on the brink of a bottomless pit instead of a bright future and only saw blackness.
So, how was I supposed to live on, let go and embrace an unknown future after this devastating loss? The life I knew was forever gone. and the time ahead with my husband I envisaged was no longer.
I want to share with you three steps to let go that I learned with time and five biblical truths to help us embrace an unknown future.
Letting Go—Three Steps
#1 Letting Go of the Past
The past is difficult to release when we experience a life-altering hurt. We cling to the wonderful life before our sorrow. We want our life back together with the person or restoration of what we lost.
It is helpful to realize and accept that the past is forever gone. We are not the same anymore and will never again have the same life we had before the loss. We need to surrender the past to start living in the present and move forward with the hope that God is redeeming our loss and still has a good plan for us.
“Yet their Redeemer is strong; the Lord Almighty is his name. He will vigorously defend their cause so that he may bring rest to their land.” (JEREMIAH 50:34 NIV)“Letting Go of the Past: It is helpful to realize and accept the past is forever gone.” —Hadassah Treu #lettinggo Share on X
#2 Letting Go of Unhelpful Thought Patterns
Another step of healing after loss is to identify and let go of unhelpful thought patterns. When we are in pain, we can view ourselves as victims of circumstances that can lead to hopelessness and despair.
We need to guard ourselves against negative thinking, not forgetting that our feelings of pain don’t always tell us the truth. It is better to constantly remind ourselves of God’s truths, which will keep us grounded and affect our emotions.
“We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true by being in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.” (1 JOHN 5:20)“Another step of healing after loss is to identify and let go of unhelpful thought patterns.” —Hadassah Treu #lettinggo Share on X
#3 Letting Go of the Future We Anticipate
When we unexpectedly lose a loved one or something treasured, we must cope with multiple losses. One loss is the anticipated future and all the expectations and dreams. The past and the future we envisioned are forever gone.
“A helpful step of healing is to take time to mourn the loss of the anticipated future and then let it go. ” —Hadassah Treu#lettinggo #loss Share on X
“Very truly I tell you, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy.” (JOHN 16:20)
Embracing an Unknown Future—Five Helpful Biblical Truths
Several key biblical truths can help us embrace the unknown future. When we meditate on them and keep them in our hearts and minds, it will be easier for us to walk towards our future unafraid and at peace.
#1 God Knows Our Future
We don’t know our future, but God knows it. He not only knows it, but He has also carefully planned and designed it and has full control over it. From this point of view, our future, although different from what we imagined, is in the safest place: in God’s hands.
Whenever we feel scared and confused, we must remember that we know the One who knows our future and everything about us. God is the One Who knows us on the most intimate level and knows our earthly life from beginning till the end in all details.
“You have searched me, Lord, and you know me.” (PSALM 139:1)
#2 God Doesn’t Change
The fact that God doesn’t change and always stays the same means that whatever happens in our future, we have Someone who is unmovable and stable. He is our Rock and safe haven.
This wonderful truth means that we can always count on God’s constant presence, on His love, care, provision, and faithfulness. Till the end of our lives, God will remain faithful, never leaving our side—what a comforting truth helping us to live without fear of the future!
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” (HEBREWS 13:8)
#3 God Is Our Source and Provider
God is the source of everything we need and He is our Jehova Jireh (The Lord will provide). When we start living daily in the light of this truth, we can much more easily embrace an unknown future.
There is nothing in the future we may need (physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually) that God is not willing and able to provide. He is and remains the source of all our blessings during our earthly lives.
As they make music they will sing, “All my fountains are in you.” (PSALM 87:7)
#4 Jesus Christ Is Our Intercessor
The fact that Jesus Christ constantly intercedes for us and our needs is a wonderful comfort when we struggle to embrace an unknown future. There is not one moment when we will not need prayer.
How much more courageous we can be when we live in the light of the reality that we have a high priest who has not only opened the way for us to the throne of grace but who lives to intercede for us!
“Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through Him, because he always lives to intercede for them.” (HEBREWS 7:25)
#5 God Has a Good Plan and Future for Us
Do we truly believe that God has a good plan for us? Do we truly believe that His will for us is good and acceptable? We can draw great encouragement and comfort from the fact that God is good. He is good all the time, and He is good specifically to us.
His good plan may involve hardships, struggles, and heartache; however, it also includes an abundance of grace, unconditional love, and constant help and support. God always has our ultimate good in His mind and His firm intention is to bless us, no matter what.
Friend, when next time something unexpected happens and changes your present and future forever, take these steps to let go and strengthen your heart with these biblical truths so you can run forward unafraid and prepared. Since God is the One Who is, Who Was, and Who is to come, your past, present, and future belong to Him and are secure in His hands.
What has helped you let go and embrace an unknown future? Is there a certain Biblical truth that you will lean on this week?
Hadassah Treu is an international Christian author, blogger, and poet, the Encouraging Blogger Award Winner of 2020. Hadassah is a contributing author to several faith-based platforms and devotional and poetry anthologies. You can connect with Hadassah on her blog https://onthewaybg.com and with the handle @onthewaybg on Twitter, Facebook, and Pinterest.
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I can’t imagine that grief that you endured Hadassah, but I do know what God’s saving grace feels like. I’m grateful that you found courage and strength to endure through him.
What a beautiful note that you wrote to Hadassah. I am so glad that you know God’s saving grace. Maree
Hadassah, reading this brought tears to my eyes as I remembered the summer of exchanging emails and prayers for your dear Thomas. And then surreal shock when you wrote with the heartbreaking news. You have walked through deep valleys, sweet sister. What amazes me most is the way you have let us see your broken heart and used it to point us back to Christ. You glorify him so much with your life. I know it doesn’t make any of it easier, but you are stewarding the calling to the glory of God. You are dearly loved, and I’m honored to call you my friend!
Stacey, What a beautiful note to Hadassah. Thank you. Maree
Amen. The one that really resonates is letting go of what I thought something would be. I think a lot of newlyweds could benefit that exact point.
Yes, newlyweds would benefit. Thinking back on what I expected life to look like makes me shudder. Thank goodness God is in control. Maree
Hallelujah and Amen in JESUS!!
God bless you! Thank you for stopping by. Maree
Beautiful and heartbreaking, Hadassah. Thank you for sharing the wisdom you’ve gained and know that I continue to pray for you each time I see your name.
Peace and grace,
Tammy
I love that when you see Hadassah’s name, it prompts you to pray for her. Happy 4th of July. Maree
Thank you Hadassah for sharing your experience here & what you found helpful.
I too know the pain of loss, I lost my late husband to brain cancer & two of my children within a year of each other.
But God is faithful & carries us through the ‘valley of the shadow of death’ for it is but only a shadow for i know I will see my loved ones again. This is not only His promise but His fact as…
I experienced this when I was in heaven for a short period. Which you can read about on my website in the Reading nook if you like. 😊
Bless you,
Jennifer
Jennifer, Yes, you do know loss. Thank you for your vulnerability and for showing us there is a way through the pain with God. Have a blessed weekend. Maree
Thank you for this encouragement today. I needed to hear this, this came as a blessing for me today.
I am so glad Hadassah’s words blessed you. Thank you for stopping by. Maree
Thanks so much for all your encouraging comments! I am happy that the post spoke to you and inspired you. Praying God’s blessings over all of you!
Your words were beautiful and spoke to many. Thank you for blessings us. Maree
“We need to guard ourselves against negative thinking, not forgetting that our feelings of pain don’t always tell us the truth. It is better to constantly remind ourselves of God’s truths, which will keep us grounded and affect our emotions.” Thank you for this, and for being open to share such a close piece of yourself. God knows all those it will touch. Blessings to you as you navigate with the Lord, forward.
I love what you pulled out of Hadassah’s post. Happy 4th of July weekend. Maree
I’m so thankful He holds our present, past, and future, Hadassah!
Me too! We have an amazing God. Maree
This is beautiful, Hadassah. Thank you for sharing.
It’s so comforting to know that God is good, that He is sovereignly in control of our lives, and that He will never leave us. Thanks for sharing your story and offering hope to us when we face pain and loss.
Donna, I love pondering all that you said about God. Happy 4th of July. Maree
Hadassah, this is so beautiful. I had not thought about letting go of the future after a loss. But if we don’t grief will follow us through. Thank you for your encouraging and insightful words from you own loss and grief.
Our expectations sure can wreak havoc on our future. Thank you for stopping by. Maree
I’m going to echo what Barbara said. In those times of devastation the world cannot offer the comfort that God supplies. We have to bypass what we normally look to, and go all the way to Him.
Yes, straight to God. God bless you. Maree
Thank you so much for sharing these truths with us from your deep experience, Hadassah. Even when our world is thoroughly shaken, God holds us safely in His hands.
Yes, such truth God is holding each of us. Maree