Discover 27 uplifting Bible verses on planning for the future. Find encouragement and guidance to navigate life’s journey with faith and purpose.
If there’s one thing that every person can do better, it’s trusting God for the future. We all have things that we are worried about. We make plans and experience anxiety about what’s coming, but many times, the things that we are anxious about never even happen.
Instead, we end up wasting time and energy on worrying, something that God commands us not to do. Instead, we need to learn to trust God for the future and lean on Him in all things. To help you do just that, here are 27 verses on planning ahead and trusting God with your future.
Bible Verses On Planning
Bible Verses About Trusting God’s Plan Vs. Your Own Understanding
1. Proverbs 3:5-6 – Trust in the Lord
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.
– Proverbs 3:5-6
It is much easier to lean on your own understanding than it is to trust God’s plan, but the Bible teaches us that if we desire our paths to be straight, we need to trust God with all that we are. Lean on Him at all times and He will lead you in all that you do.
2. Jeremiah 29:11 – God Has a Plan
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord,
“plans to prosper you and not to harm you,
plans to give you hope and a future.”
– Jeremiah 29:11
God has a plan for you, you just have to trust Him to lead you in it as time goes on. Don’t expect to have everything figured out. Part of the process is trusting His plan and placing your hope in Him rather than yourself.
3. Isaiah 55:8-9 – God’s Ways Are Higher
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord.
“As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.”
– Isaiah 55:8-9
Remember that God’s thoughts and ways are much higher and better than your own. In humility, come to God and allow Him to lead you in His thoughts and ways. Walk the path that He sets before you and place your faith in Him.
Heart Of Wisdom – God’s Word As Your Guide To The Right Path
4. Psalm 119:105 – God’s Word Is a Lamp
Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.
– Psalm 119:105
As you walk, use God’s Word as a lamp for your feet and a light for your path. Allow it to illuminate every situation that you find yourself in as you strive to follow Him in all things. Follow it in the darkness of life and it will never lead you astray.
5. Proverbs 4:6-7 – Do Not Forsake Wisdom
Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you.
The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.
– Proverbs 4:6-7
Seek wisdom in all that you do and find it in your relationship with the Lord. Allow it to shape and mold you as you seek out God in every situation. Though it costs you and requires humility, welcome wisdom into your life every chance you get.
6. James 1:5 – Ask God For Wisdom
If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God,
who gives generously to all without finding fault,
and it will be given to you.
– James 1:5
If you lack wisdom, simply ask God for more in faith. He will be faithful to give it to you generously if you ask in faith.
Your Own Plans Vs. Things God Has Planned For You
7. Proverbs 19:21 – God’s Purpose Prevails
Many are the plans in a person’s heart,
but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.
– Proverbs 19:21
Although we can make many plans in our lives, it is ultimately the Lord’s plans and purposes that come to fruition. Learn to trust Him over your own plans and to expect to follow His plan rather than your own.
8. Proverbs 16:9 – The Lord Establishes Steps
In their hearts humans plan their course,
but the Lord establishes their steps.
– Proverbs 16:9
Though you may have an idea of how you’d like your life to go, be ready to allow God to lead you in a different direction as He establishes your steps forward. Trust that His way is better and let Him guide you.
9. Psalm 20:4 – May God Give You Success
May He give you the desire of your heart
and make all your plans succeed.
– Psalm 20:4
As you allow God to shape and mold the desires of your heart, He will give you those desires and make your plans succeed. However, it requires humility and giving all things up to Him as He leads you and guides you in His plans for you.
Waiting Season – Understanding The Purpose Of The Lord In Delays
10. Isaiah 40:31 – Hope in the Lord
But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.
– Isaiah 40:31
Remember that God’s timing is always better. Although things may not happen when you want them to, trust in God’s timing and understand that there is always a purpose in delays.
11. Psalm 27:14 – Wait on the Lord
Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.
– Psalm 27:14
Learn to wait on the Lord and take heart in the plans that He has for you. If now is not the right time, know that He has something better waiting for you down the line. Trust Him above all else and ask Him to help you be patient.
12. Lamentations 3:25-26 – Place Your Hope in God
The Lord is good to those whose hope is in Him,
to the one who seeks Him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.
– Lamentations 3:25-26
The Lord is good to those who seek Him and wait on Him as you place your hope in Him. Be patient and quiet as you wait for the Lord’s salvation in all that you do. Allow Him to guide you into His plans and help you see them clearly.
What The Holy Bible Says About Planning & Seeking God’s Will
13. Proverbs 16:3 – Commit All to the Lord
Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and He will establish your plans.
– Proverbs 16:3
No matter what you are doing, commit it to the Lord and entrust it to Him. Ask Him to lead you in it and to give you wisdom to make the right decisions. He will establish your plans and lead you on the paths of righteousness.
14. James 4:13-15 – Place Your Plans Before God
Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city,
spend a year there, carry on business and make money.”
Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow.
What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.
Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.”
– James 4:13-15
You can always make plans, but know that the Lord’s will prevails in every situation. Trust Him and know that His ways are better and higher than your own. Ask God to guide you in these ways and help you to see His goodness and provision in every situation.
15. Ephesians 5:15-17 – Be Careful How You Live
Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise,
making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.
Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.
– Ephesians 5:15-17
Do not be foolish by thinking that you are the director of your own life. Remember that God’s plans will always be fulfilled. Instead of trying to control your own life, have faith in God and seek to understand what His will is for your life.
Scripture References About Being A Faithful Steward
16. 1 Corinthians 4:2 – Be Faithful
Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.
– 1 Corinthians 4:2
As you live, remember that God calls you to be a faithful steward of all that He has given you. Keep this in mind as you make plans and seek to live for Him. Be faithful in what you have and use it for God’s glory rather than your own.
17. Matthew 25:21 – Be a Good Steward
His master replied, “Well done, good and faithful servant!
You have been faithful with a few things;
I will put you in charge of many things.
Come and share your master’s happiness!”
– Matthew 25:21
When you are faithful with what God has given you, He tends to give you more. If you are responsible with little, you will gain much. Remember this as you make plans for the future and ask yourself, “How do these plans steward what I have been given?”
18. Luke 16:10-11 – Be Trustworthy
Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much,
and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.
So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth,
who will trust you with true riches?
– Luke 16:10-11
If you have not been faithful with what you have been given, why would you expect God to give you more? Be faithful in all things and you will receive the fruit of your faithfulness.
Bible Verses About Renewal Of Your Mind And Thoughts Of Peace
19. Romans 12:2 – Renew Your Mind
Do not conform to the pattern of this world,
but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is
—His good, pleasing and perfect will.
– Romans 12:2
As you make plans for your future, be sure to regularly renew your mind with the truth of Scripture. Immerse yourself in God’s truth and allow it to guide you in everything that you do.
20. Philippians 4:6-7 – Do Not Be Anxious
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation,
by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding,
will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
– Philippians 4:6-7
Do not allow anxiety to upset the guidance of God in your life. Trust Him with all things and allow His peace to overtake any worries that you have. Give all up to Him and know that He will be faithful with all things.
21. Isaiah 26:3 – Trust in the Lord
You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast,
because they trust in You.
– Isaiah 26:3
When you truly trust God with everything, He will keep you in perfect peace. Be steadfast in your faith in God and allow Him to carry you through all things that come against you.
Scripture Quotations – Strategic Planning For The Glory Of God
22. Proverbs 21:5 – Be Diligent
The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.
– Proverbs 21:5
Be diligent as you make your plans. Trust in the Lord and He will lead you on the paths of righteousness and success, bringing you true joy in all that you do.
23. Ephesians 2:10 – Created For Good Works
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works,
which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
– Ephesians 2:10
Remember in all things that God created you in Christ Jesus for good works. How do the plans that you make account for doing those good works for which you were created? Consider this in all that you do.
24. Psalm 90:12 – Number Your Days
Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
– Psalm 90:12
As you make plans, have a sober mind in knowing that your days are numbered. This teaches you to have a heart of wisdom as you truly strive to use your time wisely.
Decisions That Will Lead To Years Of Famine Or Plentiful Years
25. Proverbs 10:5 – Do Not Be Lazy
He who gathers crops in summer is a prudent son,
but he who sleeps during harvest is a disgraceful son.
– Proverbs 10:5
Do not be lazy with the things that God has entrusted to you. Ask God to give you a good work ethic as you seek to be faithful in all that you have been given.
26. Proverbs 28:19 – Work Your Land
Those who work their land will have abundant food,
but those who chase fantasies will have their fill of poverty.
– Proverbs 28:19
Work hard at whatever God has placed before you and He will surely be faithful. It may not be what you currently want, but work hard at whatever it is that you have right now. Be faithful as God is faithful toward you.
27. Genesis 41:55 – Trust and Be Diligent
When all Egypt began to feel the famine, the people cried to Pharaoh for food.
Then Pharaoh told all the Egyptians, “Go to Joseph and do what he tells you.”
– Genesis 41:55
In times of famine, it takes trust and diligence to work your way out. Be diligent in following the Lord and being faithful. He will guide you on the paths of righteousness as He works out His plan in your life for your good.
More Helpful Bible Verses
25 Bible Verses On Discernment
15 Bible Verses On Doubt
20 Bible Verses on Worship
19 Bible Verses About Temptation (& How To Overcome It God’s Way)
9 Bible Verses on Fasting
9 Bible Verses on Grace
