There are some deep and profound directions that God has given to mankind to ensure that life can be more than just bearable. Due to Adam and Eve's sin, all of their descendants have carried a heavy burden (Rom. 5:15-20), but God had a plan for the salvation of Adam and Eve and all mankind (Hebrews 2:14). He already had experienced the rebellion and sin of Lucifer and a third of the angels. That must have been a terrible thing as it had never occurred before - ever. The angels had already been given eternal life, so they must live forever with a future that is dismal indeed, as it is outside of all that God controls - and He even controls that outer darkness (Jude 13). Mankind, though, did not have the access or understanding of the true majesty of the Almighty Creator, so for them there was aid or help provided (Hebrews 2:16). Job noted that life was short and full of trouble (Job 14:1). There was no needed inspiration to note that fact - all humans live it and for some it is a daily truth, for others it is something that appears sometime during one's lifespan.
There have been books written to detail the suffering of countless thousands in wars, concentration camps, times of great famine or disease and moments in history when humans have cried out to God - and felt deserted. We are the product of our past, in the sense that everything we are today is a result of what happened yesterday. Much of what happened is not anything we would wish for and usually we were helpless in the way we are affected. When education was limited or forbidden, for example, children grew up with a limited amount of knowledge. That sad fact of our histories might have been changed if we had had the ability to be educated. We do have some control over our lives today. We can choose what to do within the limitations of time, finances and intelligence etc. But we still are shackled to our past. "Living for today" sounds noble and right, but it cannot be separated from yesterday and most certainly not from tomorrow or the future.
It is true that we cannot be certain what our future will be and in some cases we are not certain there is a tomorrow. When bombs shower down on a population, time and chance determines if there is a tomorrow to worry about. Nevertheless, ignoring the future is more than just foolish, it is debilitating and very harmful. We plant our seeds in the spring hoping for a future harvest. We study books in order to grow in knowledge and therefore make better decisions in the future. Even the creatures on earth plan for the future as though there will be one for them. Go to the ant, we are admonished, and see how they prepare for a future (Prov. 6:6-11). Everything we do cries out for a future. That future may only be tomorrow - but it may also be eternity. Once life ends, the only future we have lies in eternity.
There are some profound scriptures that are designed to stabilize and strengthen people during a time of stress or troubles. We may find ourselves worrying about the next day or week ahead, but worry and anxiety become hindrances to making plans or preparing to meet the challenges that are coming (Matt. 6:34). What we need is something to strengthen us in the day of trouble so that we can be active and thinking clearly as we seek solutions and act to control the troubles we face. That something is a hope that lies in the far distant future. Without that, the inner man is dying. We readily succumb to the pressures of life if we have no hope for the future.
The survivors of the greatest horrors of the concentration camps of WW2 state that they owe their survival to the plans they made for the future. They believed there would be a future for them and that belief made it possible for them to begin again once freedom came. Those without any hope or vision, often languished and died during their time in prison or even upon release. Proverbs 29:18 carried the need for "vision". The result of poor or no vision is that people perish. In the NKJV the words used to describe this is "cast off restraint." One of the most positive and strengthening themes that Jesus consistently preached about was the soon coming Kingdom of God or Kingdom of heaven. "Soon coming" - is in the future and it was a goal and hope that people could use to stabilize themselves in times of great difficulty. In the midst of His teachings about being careful not to be overly anxious or to worry endlessly (Matt.5&6), Jesus planted a special verse about the future. He told people to "seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you" (Matt. 6:33). These verses speak to action in a positive direction. Having our eyes fixed on a goal seems to provide an automatic plan for action. It takes our thoughts away from the worrisome things that prevent clear and constructive thought, and focuses us on the future. Our minds then begin to ask: "How do I get there?" The lesson is clearly shown in the example of Peter and the apostles preaching at the Pentecost that followed Jesus' resurrection. They spoke of the future. Acts 2:13-21 is a small part of the message, but it resulted in many asking: "What shall we do?" (verse 37). On a human level, we try to plant a seed in our children by asking: "What will you be when you grow up - butcher, baker, candlestick maker?" Children see themselves as future firemen, doctors, farmers or something exotic. Parents and teachers use this vision or goal to show the way of getting there - by studying and staying in school. We put a lot of effort into providing our children with a hope in a wonderful future. For them, the goal may shift and change as they grow, but we strive to give them a goal and encourage effort. That becomes character development and makes them strong. There is a development of a way of thinking that arises from developing a goal in the future.
Jesus gave us a great gift when He taught to seek first the Kingdom. He gave mankind hope, direction and a goal that was more than enough of an answer for all the difficulty they faced in life. Paul said he counted his troubles (that were many) as dung (Phil. 3:8). Jesus gave us the means with which we could use our minds effectively and also the "zone" we could enter that would be pleasing to God, so we could be blessed by Him. Paul and all the followers of Jesus used the message of hope that Jesus gave about the Kingdom. It was a theme that allowed people to look beyond the world about them and believe in a future that was incredible (Acts 28:28-31).
Paul wrote that hope was an anchor for the soul (Hebrews 6:19). His message was surrounded by encouraging words about being heirs of God, and it highlighted the fact that Jesus Christ was already preparing a place for His followers for all eternity. Hope is built upon a glimpse into the future. We may not see clearly and there may be some mysteries involved, but humans need something to look forward to. Even pagan priests knew that as they developed their own design for some sort of future. It seems almost every religion had some sort of future to offer to people. The writings of Plato and the pyramids of Egypt are stark witnesses to those hopes. They were false and lacked the proof that Jesus Christ gave to His followers, but that was all people had to cling to in times of great stress. When people are desperate, they will cling to straws in the hope of having a future. God supplies a solid, proven and wonderful future - beyond the wildest dreams of humans. He backed that up with the sacrifice of His Son. Although that glorious future may seem a long way ahead, the hope gives us strength for today.
It can be your future. God has prepared everything and He is looking for those who seek His gift.