As a mother of five, I often find myself thinking about our family’s future. The thoughts come in waves, sometimes subtly in the background and other times crashing over me in a flood of anxious questions: Will we be able to send our children to college? Will we have enough funds for their future needs? Can we pay our bills next month? What about our debts? And perhaps the one that weighs most heavily on my heart: What will happen if one of us gets sick? With medical expenses being so unpredictable, the fear of illness adds another layer of uncertainty. I often wonder, Will we be able to afford proper care?
These concerns are so real, so immediate, and at times, overwhelming. And yet, almost every day, I find myself at Mass, praying the same words over and over again: "Jesus, I trust in You."
But here’s the thing—no matter how many times I say those words, the anxiety doesn’t always magically disappear. It lingers in my heart, like a shadow I can’t shake off. I ask myself, Is it normal to feel this way when I’m doing my best to trust God?
The answer, I believe, is yes.
Being Human Means Feeling Anxious
As parents, it’s natural to feel concerned about the future. We love our children deeply, and we want to provide for them in every way possible. We want to be sure that they will have what they need—education, security, opportunities—and that’s where the worry comes in. The uncertainty of finances, bills, and debts can make us feel like we’re carrying the weight of the world on our shoulders.
Despite all this, I remind myself that feeling anxious doesn’t mean we lack faith. It doesn’t mean that we’re failing to trust God. It simply means we’re human. In fact, Jesus himself acknowledged our worries in the Gospel. In Matthew 6:34, He says, "Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."
Those words have been a source of great comfort for me, especially when my anxiety spikes. They remind me that God understands our concerns, and that it’s okay to feel worried from time to time. The key is learning how to balance our human need to plan and prepare with our spiritual call to trust in God.
Leaning on Faith in Uncertain Times
I often reflect on what it means to truly say, "Jesus, I trust in You." For me, it’s more than just words whispered in prayer. It’s a daily act of surrender. Every time I go to Mass, I bring my anxieties to the altar and ask God for the grace to trust in His plan—especially when the path ahead looks uncertain.
Trusting in Jesus doesn’t mean that the worries vanish instantly. But it does give me a sense of peace, a quiet assurance that He’s walking with me through every trial. When the bills pile up, or when I wonder if we’ll have enough to send the kids to college, I remind myself that I’m not carrying this burden alone. God is in control, and He has never failed us yet.
Taking Practical Steps With Trust
Of course, trust in God doesn’t mean that we sit back and do nothing. I’ve learned that trust goes hand in hand with action. As a family, we’ve made it a point to be diligent in managing our finances, creating a budget, paying off debts bit by bit, and setting aside what little we can for the future.
Even small steps make a difference, and through it all, we place our plans and efforts in God’s hands, trusting that He will multiply our efforts and provide for our needs.
Finding Peace in the Present
I often remind myself that anxiety comes from focusing too much on the future, on things I can’t control. But God invites me to focus on today. He gives me the grace for this moment, not for the unknown worries of tomorrow. When I find myself spiraling into anxious thoughts, I try to ground myself in the present: What can I do today to serve my family? How can I show love today?
And I remember that God will take care of the rest.
Jesus, I Trust in You
If you, too, are a parent worrying about the future—whether it’s about your finances, your children’s education, or simply paying next month’s bills—I want to remind you that it’s okay to feel anxious. But it’s also okay to let go and trust God.
We’re called to be good stewards of what we’ve been given, but we’re not called to carry the burden of the future on our own. Every time you feel the weight of worry, bring it to God in prayer, just as I do at Mass. Say those words, "Jesus, I trust in You," and allow Him to carry what feels too heavy.
The path may not always be clear, but I believe with all my heart that God will provide, just as He always has. He sees our hearts, our efforts, and our love for our children, and He will take care of the details, even when we can’t see the way forward.
So, let’s continue to take it one day at a time, trusting that God will meet us in every moment—today, tomorrow, and always.
"Jesus, I trust in You."
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