Trust in Your Future

 July 19 2005

Question:

Do you think some people have the ability to see into the future?  I’m facing some tough decisions, and a friend of mine is trying to get me to see a fortuneteller he knows.  I’m tempted to do it, but I don’t want to throw my money away if she can’t help me.

Billy Graham’s answer:

I sincerely hope you won’t give in to the temptation to take this road.  God knows your needs, and it would be far better for you to trust Him and seek His will – because His will is always perfect. Why do I advise you against seeing a fortuneteller?  One reason is because you could well be throwing your money away; how do you know this person isn’t a fraud.  Instead, I urge you to turn to Jesus Christ and ask Him to come into your life. 

Jen’s response:

For once, Graham and I have something in common.  Well, almost.  He is concerned that the fortuneteller might be a fraud.  I can tell you with no uncertainty that the fortuneteller is a fraud.  If you were to see this person, you would be wasting money that could be better spent on whatever it is you decide to do about the decisions you are facing. Fortunetellers make their money preying on people who are insecure.  This is a confidence game. They convince you that they can help, and you give them money to basically have some of their confidence rub off on you.

Actually, Graham’s response is interesting precisely because he doesn’t say that the fortunetelling is scam.  I think the reason he is open about the possibility of telling the future is because he is in exactly the same game as the fortuneteller, only he isn’t using a crystal ball, and doesn’t really give you any advice, he just tells you to trust in Jesus and then takes your money. 

Here is how I handle difficult decisions.  I ponder, I think, I weigh the pros and cons (and yes, writing these down is often very helpful), and eventually, it usually becomes clear what the right path for me is.  Just give yourself the time to contemplate the decision and don’t stress yourself out about how important it is to make the right decision, and the decision will usually become clear.  In any case, all you can do at any time is what you think is right.  And, if down the road you get additional information that points you in another direction, there is nothing saying you can’t change the direction you were going in.  You have the ability to create your life as you want to and think is best for you. And, yes, you will make mistakes, but unless the mistake is actually fatal, you will survive and learn from that mistake.  Experts are actually just individuals who know what mistakes can be made and how to avoid them.  How do they become experts?  By making mistakes.

Good luck.