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.
AUTHOR
Jared Mellinger is the senior pastor at Covenant Fellowship Church in Glen Mills, PA, where he lives with his wife, Meghan, and their six children. He is the author of Think Again: Relief from the Burden of Introspection and A Bright Tomorrow: How to Face the Future without Fear.
“Through Jesus, Christians have a ‘God of hope’ (Romans 15:13). But we are so prone to allowing circumstances, trials, disappointments, failures, heartaches, and worries to cloud the sun of our unconquerable hope. This little book radiates hope, shining with the assurance of our heavenly Father, ‘Surely there is a future, and your hope will not be cut off’ (Proverbs 23:18). I initially read A Bright Tomorrow because I was asked to do so in view of possibly writing an endorsement. Now that I’ve written it, I intend to read the book again because it encouraged me so much the first time.”
Donald S. Whitney, Professor of Biblical Spirituality and Associate Dean at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, KY; author of Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life, Praying the Bible, and Family Worship
“I interact with a lot of people who have faced the devastation of losing a child. When your worst fears have become your reality, some wrestling with whether or not you can genuinely trust God moving forward and what that should look like is inevitable. I’ve wanted a book that I could give to people who ask me what to do with the very real fears they have about the future. And now I have it. A Bright Tomorrow offers readers a sound, Scripture-saturated, concise, and winsome invitation to trust God with everything.”
Nancy Guthrie, Author of Hearing Jesus Speak Into Your Sorrow
“This isn’t pastoral hyperbole—I absolutely love Jared Mellinger’s new book, A Bright Tomorrow. As those in union with Christ, we are hardwired for hope, whether or not we have yet to see, experience, and enjoy this wiring and hope. God will bring to completion the good work he has begun, not only in us as his beloved daughters and sons but also in his entire creation. This is our hope. This is our living, heart-transforming, all-creation renewing, mission-engaging hope. With art and heart, Jared not only throws the curtains wide open on the glories of our all-things-new future, he also demonstrates the present power of remembering God’s future into our present moment.”
Scotty Ward Smith, Pastor Emeritus, Christ Community Church, Franklin, TN; teacher in residence, West End Community Church, Nashville, TN
“This book will help you to see. When your yesterday or today has been bleak, the road ahead looks only dark. Jared has brought together much of what Scripture says about tomorrow in a way that you will have courage to forge ahead with hope. Read it slowly.”
Edward T. Welch, Best-Selling Author; faculty member at CCEF
“I am grateful for Jared’s book and Aggie’s story where ‘Grace Reigns’ even where shadows fall and the sorrows rain. Such profound confidence in the past, present and future promises of God that cannot fail is gospel triumph.”
Bryan Chapell, Senior Pastor, Grace Presbyterian Church
“This is a beautiful book torn out of a father’s own anguished heart. Reading these words, it was clear: Not only is it important to Jared that his readers hear this and believe it, but it is most important to the writer himself. We all have fears about the future, and sometimes those fears can be acute, even paralyzing. Reading Jared’s book was soothing medicine that helped set my mind on things that are unseen but real and enduring. Give this book to someone you care about who is anxious about the future.”
Rankin Wilbourne, Pastor of Pacific Crossroads Church, Los Angeles, CA; author of Union with Christ
“We live in a scary world. Fear of an unseen, menacing future often troubles our hearts and robs us of joy. Jared Mellinger’s A Bright Tomorrow demonstrates from God’s Word that everyone who trusts Jesus has a Protector who is almighty, always faithful, overwhelmingly loving, and ever present. And Pastor Mellinger speaks from experience: for their own family, the Mellingers are embracing the hope that comes from God’s rock-solid promises.”
Dennis E. Johnson, Professor of Practical Theology, Westminster Seminary California
“We occupy a time where fear is the dominant chord: fear the future, fear death, fear pain. Mellinger’s book abounds in practical and biblical wisdom pointing us to the bright future we have in Christ. God has promised us an inheritance, goodness, mercy, and resurrected life. This is a timely word and a book that needs a wide reading. Christians can be eternal optimists because we already know the end of the story.”
Patrick Schreiner, Professor of New Testament at Western Seminary
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Darby A. Strickland
Edward T. Welch
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Timothy Z. Witmer
Andy Farmer
Michael Gembola
Edward T. Welch
Edward T. Welch
Edward T. Welch
David Powlison
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.
This whole book was excellent, but I especially appreciated that it addressed the fear that parents can feel in regards to their children and how unhealthy it can be. I needed the reminders that Jared included in the whole book, but in particular that chapter. This book is excellent for those who struggle with fears.
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.
We live in uncertain times. As we face the tension of the political climate and deal with various trials in our families and lives, we can be prone to fear about the future. Yet, for Christians, we have certain hope and firm foundation because of an unchangeable and faithful God. In these unsure times, then, we need the encouragement of sure truth. Pastor Jared Mellinger provides such truth in his book A Bright Tomorrow: How to Face the Future Without Fear. Facing the Future with Faith Written with a pastoral perspective and from personal experience, Jared Mellinger opens the book by encouraging his fellow Christians to realize the difficulty of facing the future with confidence (chapter 1) and resting in the person and work of Christ in how to deal with fear (chapter 2). He then equips readers to face the future with faith by looking at biblical categories and reasons (chapters 3–6) before connecting how to have a confident faith in specific areas of life, including parenting, culture, aging, and dying (chapters 7–12). This book does a superb job of blending pastoral perspective with personal experience. Mellinger points believers to look to the truth of God’s Word as the basis of their hope and faith while relating to them as he has faced the trial of walking with his daughter in her battle with cancer. The counsel contained in the chapters of this book are biblical and relatable, helping those in the midst of battle to understand how they can handle fear and the place of lament in the struggle. The main idea featured with each chapter’s title helps readers know what the chapter is about. The hope of the book is not some type of natural optimism but sincere faith in the God who sees all and is sovereign over all. Neither does A Bright Tomorrow seek to merely put forth knowledge but asks readers to reflect through questions found at the end of each chapter. A Comforting Book on the Character of God From the opening pages to the closing words, A Bright Tomorrow by Jared Mellinger points troubled and fearful Christians to the trustworthy and faithful character of God. The book calls for believers to not focus on the uncertainties the future may bring in their lives but to find their hope and place their trust in a faithful God. If you are concerned with what the future may hold, find comfort in the One who holds it. If you are facing uncertain times in your personal life or with your family, make sure you get a copy of A Bright Tomorrow by Jared Mellinger. A Bright Tomorrow reminds you of the truth to get you through tomorrow. I received this book from New Growth Press in exchange for this review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own and are my honest review of the book.
This whole book was excellent, but I especially appreciated that it addressed the fear that parents can feel in regards to their children and how unhealthy it can be. I needed the reminders that Jared included in the whole book, but in particular that chapter. This book is excellent for those who struggle with fears. I received this book from the publisher. This is my honest review and is in no way influenced by receiving a complimentary copy.
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.