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A Bright Tomorrow: How to Face the Future without Fear
Packed with biblical truth, A Bright Tomorrow addresses anxiety about an uncertain future by reminding readers of what they can be certain of–God’s grace, his unshakeable promises, and the hope of resurrection. Jared Mellinger helps readers remember their security in Christ in the midst of parental fears, cultural decline, aging, death, and facing the unknown. The future is scary, and Jared Mellinger knows we live in a world full of daunting change, frightening uncertainties, and concerning circumstances. Parenting fears, old age, death, and illness are just a few of the common anxieties that weigh on the hearts and minds of most of us at some point in our lives. If you’re a Christian who obsesses over the future or ignores it for good reason, this book is for you. Lasting comfort and peace are found in Christ, who has secured a place for his people and offers a bright tomorrow based on the solid ground of God’s promises. A Bright Tomorrow equips Christians with biblical truths laid out in Scripture to face the future with confidence. Readers will learn to face their fears and worries about the future by living right now in view of the gospel of hope and the promise of life everlasting. This life-changing book will lead Christians to grasp onto certain hope, transforming the way they think about God, themselves, and the world around them. True courage comes from knowing the end of the story, and as Christians with forward-looking hope, we can be eternal optimists and fight fear of the future through Jesus our champion, who gives us victory over death.
144 pages, Paperback
Published June 4, 2018
6 people are currently reading
63 people want to read
About the author
Jared Mellinger
8 books14 followersJared Mellinger is the senior pastor at Covenant Fellowship Church in Glen Mills, PA, where he lives in with his wife Meghan and their six children.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
January 15, 2023
This title of this book says it about how to face the future without fear, but I think it could also be titled “How to face the future full of hope”. I really appreciate this book. I was especially encouraged to read about God’s future grace for every need, the chapter on “Using the Promises”, “We Will Kiss the Wave: how the gospel prepares us for grief and pain (that chapter was so good), and a chapter called “For Parents Who Worry”.
Page 68, “I have learned to kiss the wave (hardship,suffering) that throws me against the Rock of Ages”
Page 68, “I have learned to kiss the wave (hardship,suffering) that throws me against the Rock of Ages”
May 24, 2022
Oh. My. Goodness. Every single Christian needs to read this book. I have always known that our future in heaven is supposed to be an encouraging thing, but I don't think I've practically been able to take heart in it very much. This book dwells on the reality of our joyful, glorious future so well that it had me in tears all the way through. I almost can't believe this bright tomorrow is real - it's that good.
The chapters on God's promises and on parenting were my two favorites (the parenting one can be applied to anyone in your life you care about, not just kids, which is why it really got to me). Every single chapter was stacked with Scripture; Jared really allowed God's Word to speak through his writing. There are chapters on death, aging, suffering, and more, all of them grounded in TRUTH and all of them pointing ahead to when we will be face to face with Jesus, all our tears wiped away and all our suffering over. Read. This. Book. Now.
The chapters on God's promises and on parenting were my two favorites (the parenting one can be applied to anyone in your life you care about, not just kids, which is why it really got to me). Every single chapter was stacked with Scripture; Jared really allowed God's Word to speak through his writing. There are chapters on death, aging, suffering, and more, all of them grounded in TRUTH and all of them pointing ahead to when we will be face to face with Jesus, all our tears wiped away and all our suffering over. Read. This. Book. Now.
August 19, 2020
A Bright Tomorrow: How to Face the Future Without Fear is the latest title by pastor and author Jared Mellinger. Although this book was released in 2018, I'm not sure that it's ever been more relevant. Mellinger begins the book by sharing with readers about receiving the difficult news that one of his daughters was diagnosed with cancer early in life. Although the book wasn't originally intended to be shaped by that hardship, it just so happened to occur in the midst of Mellinger writing the book.
It was sweet to read about how God worked through that difficult trial to help Mellinger and his wife lift their eyes to Christ. I always appreciate the opportunity to learn something from someone who practices what they preach. Rather than this being the sort of book in which the author takes an attitude of dishing out advice without heeding it, Mellinger's tone seems to be more aligned with the words of the apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 11:1, "Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ."
A Bright Tomorrow begins with encouragement for facing the storms of life and proceeds with encouragement for specific scenarios and seasons. In the earliest pages of the book, Mellinger wrote, "Our fretful anticipation of trouble is often more troubling than the trouble itself. Therefore, our need is not so much to be delivered from the presence of trials as it is to be delivered from our fears of the future," (pg. 10).
Although this book isn't particularly in the biblical counseling genre, it's content proves to be very helpful to that end. It was a great encouragement to read as Mellinger addressed lies that Christians tend to believe that lend to increased fear and anxiety. On page 14 he wrote, "We tend to think that the severity of our anxiety is abnormal, and anxiety gains momentum through that lie." He continued, "We sometimes think that worry will help us discover solutions and control the future, but it won't. Worry has never prepared anyone for anything. You cannot control the future through anxiety. Worry is a thief of joy; it is a liar and a sellout. Worry promises preparation but leads to panic. Jesus knows the concerns of his people. He rescues us from our fears because he cares for us. This is the testimony of the redeemed: 'I sought the LORD and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears' (Psalm 34:4)," (pg. 15).
One of my favorite chapters was on the promises of God. Within this chapter, Mellinger highlighted multiple Bible verses which demonstrate aspects of God's character that remain true for us today. Mellinger introduced the chapter by writing, "I want to live every day as one seeking a better country, a promised homeland. I want to live with my heart less controlled by fear and more captivated by future rewards. I want to face tomorrow and every day of my life with confidence in the faithful character of God, undaunted by the mouths of lions, the power of fire, the edge of the sword, torture, imprisonment, enemies, and affliction. (See Hebrews 11:32-38).) I want to be made strong out of weakness and mighty in war. I want to be numbered among those of whom the world is not worthy," (pg. 44). Learning from Mellinger's humility and courage increased my hope in Christ and my longing for His return.
The chapters on parenting and aging were favorites of mine as well. The parenting chapter served as a helpful reminder that God is the one who changes our children's hearts. As a mom, it gave me great hope to read of Mellinger's testimony in which he shared about how he lived a life of rebellion into his teen years before the Lord saved him. The aging chapter encouraged my heart by helping me understand the value of aging as it brings me closer to glory with Christ. I was comforted by the thought expressed on page 102 in which Mellinger wrote, "Decay, loss, and limitations will only make my hope sing louder by causing me to fix my eyes on the bright future Christ has for me. The only things I can lose are things I didn't deserve in the first place. I will one day gain more than I can possibly deserve in this life. And God will empower me by his Spirit to bless his name when loss comes."
In the concluding chapter of the book, Mellinger included a quote by the late preacher Charles Spurgeon. This quote was an excellent summation not only of the chapter but also of the book and I've found myself dwelling on it often. Spurgeon said, "The Christian can stand serenely on the brink of eternity and say, 'Come on! Let every event foretold become a fact! Pour out your vials, you angels! Fall, you star called Wormwood! Come, Gog and Magog, to the last great battle of Armageddon!' Nothing is to be feared by those who are one with Jesus. To us remains nothing but joy and rejoicing," (pg. 128).
A Bright Tomorrow is one of the most hope-filled books I've ever read and it made me long for eternity with Christ. While considering the future often does invoke feelings of fear, this book helped me work through some of those feelings and replace them with eager anticipation for the return of Christ. For this reason, I am very grateful and I'm pleased to give A Bright Tomorrow my highest recommendation.
I received A Bright Tomorrow compliments of New Growth Press in exchange for my honest review.
It was sweet to read about how God worked through that difficult trial to help Mellinger and his wife lift their eyes to Christ. I always appreciate the opportunity to learn something from someone who practices what they preach. Rather than this being the sort of book in which the author takes an attitude of dishing out advice without heeding it, Mellinger's tone seems to be more aligned with the words of the apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 11:1, "Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ."
A Bright Tomorrow begins with encouragement for facing the storms of life and proceeds with encouragement for specific scenarios and seasons. In the earliest pages of the book, Mellinger wrote, "Our fretful anticipation of trouble is often more troubling than the trouble itself. Therefore, our need is not so much to be delivered from the presence of trials as it is to be delivered from our fears of the future," (pg. 10).
Although this book isn't particularly in the biblical counseling genre, it's content proves to be very helpful to that end. It was a great encouragement to read as Mellinger addressed lies that Christians tend to believe that lend to increased fear and anxiety. On page 14 he wrote, "We tend to think that the severity of our anxiety is abnormal, and anxiety gains momentum through that lie." He continued, "We sometimes think that worry will help us discover solutions and control the future, but it won't. Worry has never prepared anyone for anything. You cannot control the future through anxiety. Worry is a thief of joy; it is a liar and a sellout. Worry promises preparation but leads to panic. Jesus knows the concerns of his people. He rescues us from our fears because he cares for us. This is the testimony of the redeemed: 'I sought the LORD and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears' (Psalm 34:4)," (pg. 15).
One of my favorite chapters was on the promises of God. Within this chapter, Mellinger highlighted multiple Bible verses which demonstrate aspects of God's character that remain true for us today. Mellinger introduced the chapter by writing, "I want to live every day as one seeking a better country, a promised homeland. I want to live with my heart less controlled by fear and more captivated by future rewards. I want to face tomorrow and every day of my life with confidence in the faithful character of God, undaunted by the mouths of lions, the power of fire, the edge of the sword, torture, imprisonment, enemies, and affliction. (See Hebrews 11:32-38).) I want to be made strong out of weakness and mighty in war. I want to be numbered among those of whom the world is not worthy," (pg. 44). Learning from Mellinger's humility and courage increased my hope in Christ and my longing for His return.
The chapters on parenting and aging were favorites of mine as well. The parenting chapter served as a helpful reminder that God is the one who changes our children's hearts. As a mom, it gave me great hope to read of Mellinger's testimony in which he shared about how he lived a life of rebellion into his teen years before the Lord saved him. The aging chapter encouraged my heart by helping me understand the value of aging as it brings me closer to glory with Christ. I was comforted by the thought expressed on page 102 in which Mellinger wrote, "Decay, loss, and limitations will only make my hope sing louder by causing me to fix my eyes on the bright future Christ has for me. The only things I can lose are things I didn't deserve in the first place. I will one day gain more than I can possibly deserve in this life. And God will empower me by his Spirit to bless his name when loss comes."
In the concluding chapter of the book, Mellinger included a quote by the late preacher Charles Spurgeon. This quote was an excellent summation not only of the chapter but also of the book and I've found myself dwelling on it often. Spurgeon said, "The Christian can stand serenely on the brink of eternity and say, 'Come on! Let every event foretold become a fact! Pour out your vials, you angels! Fall, you star called Wormwood! Come, Gog and Magog, to the last great battle of Armageddon!' Nothing is to be feared by those who are one with Jesus. To us remains nothing but joy and rejoicing," (pg. 128).
A Bright Tomorrow is one of the most hope-filled books I've ever read and it made me long for eternity with Christ. While considering the future often does invoke feelings of fear, this book helped me work through some of those feelings and replace them with eager anticipation for the return of Christ. For this reason, I am very grateful and I'm pleased to give A Bright Tomorrow my highest recommendation.
I received A Bright Tomorrow compliments of New Growth Press in exchange for my honest review.
August 16, 2018
An excellent book on the Christian's future in Christ and the gospel. I especially found the last chapters on aging, death, and the return of Christ to be moving and faith-building. This book will serve your soul!
July 7, 2018
Back in 2016 his then 2 year old daughter was diagnosed with cancer; then came two years of chemo with all of the concerns, exhaustion, visits, and exams. Therefore, who better to write a little book on fear and faith than Jared Mellinger, Senior Pastor of a Sovereign Grace congregation, Covenant Fellowship Church in Glen Mills Pennsylvania. Write a book he did, and what a book! "A Bright Tomorrow: How To Face the Future without Fear" is a 144 page manuscript just published in June 2018. It takes on many of the very things we fear and brings the hope of Gospel to bear on them. What keeps this from being a happy-clappy-feel-positive-all-the-time kind of work, is knowing that it was written during the days of his little girl's diagnosis and treatment.
"A Bright Tomorrow" is written to "push back fear and unbelief and to awaken our souls to the boundless comfort and hope we have in Jesus Christ" (1). By the time you turn the last page you will find it has hit its target of cultivating "confidence as we look to the future" (127). Mellinger takes this Gospel-hope and probes our multi-layered fears about the future, showing us that "our need is not so much to be delivered from the presence of trials as it is to be delivered from our fears of the future" (10). The book is not a long pamphlet on triumphalism, but a rich resource wrapped in hope. In fact, Mellinger never shies away from the reality that we will face suffering at times. Nevertheless, as the author asserts, the grace "by which we are saved prepares us for suffering by waging war on fear and unbelief, and by implanting an unshakable hope in our souls" (66). Mellinger also addresses our culture of panic and how the Christian hope sets us free from playing the culture's panic-game. The last two chapters on death, dying and eternity should make a reader jump up with hands raised high, shouting "Glory! Come, Lord Jesus!"
"A Bright Tomorrow" unfolds in twelve chapters that have reflection questions at the end. This small book makes for good devotional reading. It also lends itself to Bible study classes. If you're afraid, worried, or facing a financial black-hole, you should take up and read this book. If you just received a gut-wrenching diagnosis, had a child go wayward, or lost your job and have no idea how you can face tomorrow, you should find a way to snatch up a copy of this volume and pour over it. In fact, if you're human, you need to get this book and make it your top reading priority! I happily, heartily, and highly recommend this book.
My big thanks goes to New Growth Press for giving me a copy of the book used for this review. All of the thoughts and comments in this review are mine, given without stipulations from the publisher or reservations.
"A Bright Tomorrow" is written to "push back fear and unbelief and to awaken our souls to the boundless comfort and hope we have in Jesus Christ" (1). By the time you turn the last page you will find it has hit its target of cultivating "confidence as we look to the future" (127). Mellinger takes this Gospel-hope and probes our multi-layered fears about the future, showing us that "our need is not so much to be delivered from the presence of trials as it is to be delivered from our fears of the future" (10). The book is not a long pamphlet on triumphalism, but a rich resource wrapped in hope. In fact, Mellinger never shies away from the reality that we will face suffering at times. Nevertheless, as the author asserts, the grace "by which we are saved prepares us for suffering by waging war on fear and unbelief, and by implanting an unshakable hope in our souls" (66). Mellinger also addresses our culture of panic and how the Christian hope sets us free from playing the culture's panic-game. The last two chapters on death, dying and eternity should make a reader jump up with hands raised high, shouting "Glory! Come, Lord Jesus!"
"A Bright Tomorrow" unfolds in twelve chapters that have reflection questions at the end. This small book makes for good devotional reading. It also lends itself to Bible study classes. If you're afraid, worried, or facing a financial black-hole, you should take up and read this book. If you just received a gut-wrenching diagnosis, had a child go wayward, or lost your job and have no idea how you can face tomorrow, you should find a way to snatch up a copy of this volume and pour over it. In fact, if you're human, you need to get this book and make it your top reading priority! I happily, heartily, and highly recommend this book.
My big thanks goes to New Growth Press for giving me a copy of the book used for this review. All of the thoughts and comments in this review are mine, given without stipulations from the publisher or reservations.
October 12, 2018
A book for the believer who worries –balm for the soul.
What do you worry about? Illness and suffering? Your kids going astray? The state of the world? Aging and dying? In A Bright Tomorrow, Jared Mellinger proposes it is only when we grasp God’s sure and precious promises about the future that we are enabled to live in hope today. This is a book for the believer – both the one who worries about the future and who avoids thinking about it. It is balm for the soul.
Some books are written for when you’re in the midst of challenges and worries. Others help prepare you for those days to come. This might be one of the rare ones that does both. It is short, easy to read, and contains both promise and comfort.
Mellinger brings us to biblical truths that ground us in times of worry – the future grace promised, the hope that we’re given for the times ahead, the promises of God that never fail, and the love of Christ that we can never be separated from.
He then turns to more specific areas of life that we worry about: future trials and struggles, our children, the state of the world, and aging and death. He reminds that “the worst that the waves of hardship can do is throw you against the Rock of Ages, work for your good, and prepare for you an eternal weight of glory”.
This book is edifying, Christ-focussed and soaked in scripture. Highly recommended reading.
What do you worry about? Illness and suffering? Your kids going astray? The state of the world? Aging and dying? In A Bright Tomorrow, Jared Mellinger proposes it is only when we grasp God’s sure and precious promises about the future that we are enabled to live in hope today. This is a book for the believer – both the one who worries about the future and who avoids thinking about it. It is balm for the soul.
Some books are written for when you’re in the midst of challenges and worries. Others help prepare you for those days to come. This might be one of the rare ones that does both. It is short, easy to read, and contains both promise and comfort.
Mellinger brings us to biblical truths that ground us in times of worry – the future grace promised, the hope that we’re given for the times ahead, the promises of God that never fail, and the love of Christ that we can never be separated from.
He then turns to more specific areas of life that we worry about: future trials and struggles, our children, the state of the world, and aging and death. He reminds that “the worst that the waves of hardship can do is throw you against the Rock of Ages, work for your good, and prepare for you an eternal weight of glory”.
This book is edifying, Christ-focussed and soaked in scripture. Highly recommended reading.
July 30, 2020
I read this with ladies from my community group and it was incredibly encouraging during the early days of the pandemic. It really helped foster deeper relationships among the group members and prompted us to dig into Scripture more each week.
August 22, 2024
Full of Christ-centered hope for those who are tempted to look to the future with dread.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews