Fear of Crossing Life’s Bridges

Do you ever hesitate to cross a bridge? What are the reasons we fear to do this? The other side may be an unfamiliar place. You may ask, “Where will the path lead us? What unknowns will we face?”

What are the reasons we fear life’s bridges?

We’re uncomfortable when the way ahead of us leads to uncertainty. Our anxiety heightens as we step into foreign territory that brings major disruptions to our lives.

Perhaps we are facing a new career, marriage, or even death. We are unsure what lies on the other side. Crossing the bridge can be scary.

I have struggled with these fears, too.

When I was a teenager, people might have classified me as a professional worry-wart. I was nervous about all the big unknowns in my life. Yet I didn’t understand the reasons for my fear.

I wondered what I would do for a job. Where would I live? Who will I marry?

I dreaded the future. The road ahead seemed foggy and barely discernible to me.

My anxiety grew to other areas.

Smaller problems, like upcoming tests, bothered me, too. If I had a history test on Friday, I would begin to tense up on Thursday. The night before, I would toss and turn in bed. I couldn’t sleep.

All night, my mind reeled with questions. Had I studied enough? Will I remember what I studied? Will there be surprise questions on the exam tomorrow?

By test time, I was a nervous wreck. I had worried about everything, but my worry produced nothing beneficial. I was mentally and physically exhausted.

In desperation, I sought a solution.

After going down this path too many times, I realized I had to change my strategy. I had to find the reason for my fear. I needed to do something different, but I didn’t know what. That’s when I talked to my dad.

“Don’t cross that bridge ’till you come to it.”

That’s the advice Dad gave me. I didn’t understand what he was saying at first, but I finally got the idea. He meant I shouldn’t worry about that bridge out in the distance because I’m not there yet. I have enough troubles for today; I don’t need to fret about tomorrow’s problems, too.

His advice helped me immensely. (I’m sure it spared me a few ulcers, too.) My life became more bearable when I began to trust God one step at a time.


This led to an amazing discovery.

I began to realize God only gives us grace to handle a problem when the time comes. He doesn’t give it to us ahead of time.
Have you ever wondered how a friend can cope with a difficult problem while you can’t? You say, “I could never survive what you’re going through.”

Maybe the reason is because God already has given your friend grace. He’ll give it to you, too, whenever you have a problem. You don’t have it now because you don’t need it at the moment. But when you do, ask God for help. His grace will see you through.

Planning is still important.

Let me make this clear. Dad wasn’t suggesting I forget about planning. He still wanted me to study and prepare for what’s coming. Rather, he urged me to live in the moment and to focus on the here and now.

I needed to replace worry.

Instead of worrying about the future, I found I could pray about it. I could ask God to prepare me for what I will be facing. When we do that, He promises to give us peace.

“Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”
“And the peace of God, which passeth understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus,”
Philippians 4: 6, 7

So the next time you cross a bridge, remember God’s wonderful promise. When you venture into unfamiliar territory, He’ll be there with you to help . You have no reason to fear. You can cross that bridge with confidence.