Many people, however, doubt that they will have the future they desire. They have seen sudden and unexpected events​—such as the COVID-19 pandemic—​upend society, devastate the economy, and threaten their life. As a result, they feel that their future is far from secure.

In view of the uncertainty, people are eagerly searching for something that will guide them to a better future. Some trust in such unseen forces as fate or fortune. Many pursue education and wealth, thinking that these things will guarantee that they get what they want. Others feel that being a good person is all they need to do to have a good life.

Will any of those options lead you to the future you desire? To find out, you need to consider these questions:

• What really determines your future?

• Can education and money guarantee a better life?

• Will being a good person guarantee you a secure future?

• Where can you find a reliable guide to a secure future?

This issue of The Watchtower can help you find the answers.

WHAT MANY BELIEVE

ASTROLOGY: Some people believe that their future is fixed based on the way the stars were lined up at the moment of their birth. They consult astrological forecasts, or horoscopes, to find out what will befall them and then act to avoid harm or find success.

FENG SHUI: Others believe that the key to success is to bring their surroundings into harmony with unseen forces in nature. Lo Wing,a who lives in Hong Kong, says, “A feng shui master told me that putting a special crystal in a designated place in my store would help me earn more money.”

ANCESTOR WORSHIP: Still others believe that they must appease dead ancestors or various deities to gain their protection and blessing. Van, who lives in Vietnam, says, “I believed that by paying homage to my ancestors, I would enjoy a better life now and a secure future for me and my children.”

REINCARNATION: Many view existence as an endless cycle of life, death, and rebirth. They believe that the good or bad they experience now is the result of events in a previous life.

Many, though, consider such beliefs as superstition. Yet, they still dabble in palmistry, horoscopes, Ouija^® boards, tarot cards, and the like. They feel that perhaps there is a chance that such practices can help them know their future.

WHAT ARE THE RESULTS?

Have those who trust in such beliefs and practices found a good life and a secure future?

Consider the experience of Hào, who lives in Vietnam. He turned to astrology, feng shui, and ancestor worship to guide him. Did he find success? Hào says, “I failed in my business, fell into debt, faced family conflicts, and was emotionally wrecked.”

Qiuming, from Taiwan, likewise believed in astrology, reincarnation, fate, feng shui, and ancestor worship. After examining these subjects carefully, he said: “I realized that such teachings and customs are in conflict with each other and are confusing. I found that the astrological predictions were often incorrect. As for reincarnation, if you have no memory of your previous life, how can you change and do better in the next life?”

As Hào, Qiuming, and many others have come to realize, our future is not determined by fate, the stars, deceased ancestors, or rebirth. Does this mean that we have no control over our future?

Many feel that the way to guarantee a better future is for them to pursue higher education and wealth. What have been the results for some who have made that choice?

Many think that those who are well-educated and rich have a secure future. They believe that a university education can help a person become a better worker, a better family member, and a better citizen. They may also feel that a good education will lead to a better-paying job and that those who make a lot of money will be happy.

A CHOICE MANY MAKE

Consider the comments made by Zhang Chen, who is from China. He says, “I believed that I needed a university degree to get out of poverty and that a high-paying job would guarantee a happy and satisfying life.”

To improve their chances of gaining a secure future, many are eager to attend famous universities, perhaps in other countries. This trend had increased noticeably until COVID-19 restricted international travel. A 2012 report by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development says: “Asians account for 52% of all students studying abroad.”

Parents often make great sacrifices so that their children can attend university overseas. Qixiang, from Taiwan, recalls: “My parents were not well-off, but they sent all four of us children to college in the United States.” To pay for such education, his family, like many others, had to go deep into debt.

WHAT ARE THE RESULTS?

Education can improve life in some ways, but it does not always bring the results that students expect. For example, after years of sacrifice and incurring significant debt, many cannot find the job they wanted. A report by Rachel Mui in Singapore’s Business Times says: “Graduate unemployment appears to be a growing issue.” Jianjie, a doctorate holder who lives in Taiwan, says, “Many have no choice but to accept a job that has nothing to do with their degree.”

Those who can obtain a job in their chosen profession may still find that their life has not turned out as they had hoped. After returning from university in the United Kingdom, Niran, who is from Thailand, found a job in his field. “As I expected, the degree helped me to get a job with a higher salary. However, the higher salary demanded more work and more time from me. Eventually, the company laid off most of its employees, including me. I realized that there is no security in any job.”

Even those who are rich or have achieved the so-called good life still face family problems, health tragedies, and economic uncertainty. Katsutoshi, from Japan, admits, “I enjoyed many material things, but I was frustrated by competition, jealousy, and bullying.” Lam, a woman who lives in Vietnam, says, “I see many people strive for a well-paying job to obtain financial security, but in reality, it has the opposite effect​—insecurity, health disorders, emotional exhaustion, and depression.”

Like Franklin, many have concluded that there is more to life than pursuing higher education and riches. Rather than focus their life on material things, some seek a better future by striving to be a good person and to do good to others. Will pursuing such a way of life guarantee a secure future? The next article offers the answer.

A COURSE MANY FOLLOW

Many still believe that proper behavior is the key to a secure future. They try to be respectful, cultivate good manners, recognize their place in society, and maintain a good conscience. “I always believed that if I was honest and sincere,” says Linh, a woman in Vietnam, “I would be blessed in return.”

Some are motivated by their religious beliefs to do good. A man named Hsu-Yun, who lives in Taiwan, says, “I was taught that a person’s deeds while he is alive will determine whether he will enjoy endless bliss or suffer torment after he dies.”

WHAT ARE THE RESULTS?

It is true that when we do good to others, we enjoy many benefits. However, many who sincerely try to be good to others find that doing so does not always lead to what they might expect. “I learned firsthand that those who do good are not always blessed in return,” says a woman named Shiu Ping, who lives in Hong Kong. “I tried my best to care for my family and to do good. But my marriage failed and my husband abandoned me and my son.”

Many have seen that religion has not always made people better. “I got involved in a religious organization and became a director of youth activities,” says Etsuko, a woman who lives in Japan. “I was shocked to see the loose morals, power struggles, and dishonest use of funds by those involved in my religion.”

Some who are devout have felt disappointed when their good deeds went unrewarded. That was how Van, a woman from Vietnam, felt. “Every day I bought fruits, flowers, and food and offered them on the altars of my dead ancestors, hoping that I would enjoy blessings in the future,” she says. “Despite all the good deeds and religious rituals that I had performed for many years, my husband was struck with a debilitating disease. Then, while my daughter was studying abroad, she passed away at a young age.”

If being a good person offers no assurance of a secure future, what does? To answer this question, we need a reliable guide​—a source of information that can answer our questions and point the way to a secure future. Where can we find such a guide?

As discussed in the preceding articles, people have tried to find a better future by putting their trust in such things as fate, education, wealth, and being a good person. Taking these approaches, however, is like using a faulty map to get to a destination. Does that mean there is no reliable guide for the future? No!

GUIDANCE FROM A SUPERIOR SOURCE

When making decisions, we usually consult someone who is older and wiser than we are. In a similar way, we can find sound guidance for our future from a Source who is far older and wiser than we are. The counsel from this One has come to us in a collection of sacred writings that began to be produced about 3,500 years ago. This collection of holy writings is a book called the Bible.

Why can you trust the Bible? Because its Author is the oldest and wisest Person in the universe. He is described as “the Ancient of Days” who is “from everlasting to everlasting.” (Daniel 7:9; Psalm 90:2) He is “the Creator of the heavens, the true God, the One who formed the earth.” (Isaiah 45:18) He identifies himself by his personal name, Jehovah.​—Psalm 83:18.

Because the Bible is from the Creator of all mankind, it does not favor one culture or race over another. Its counsel is timeless and has benefited people in all lands. It is available in more languages and has been more widely distributed than any other book.a This means that people everywhere can easily understand it and be guided by it. These facts support the Bible’s own statement:

“God is not partial, but in every nation the man who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.”​—ACTS 10:34, 35.

Just as a caring parent provides guidance for his children, Jehovah God is a loving Father who offers us help through his Word, the Bible. (2 Timothy 3:16) You can trust his Word; after all, he made us and knows what course of life is best for us.

What do you need to do to be assured of such a future? Consider the next article.

Some 3,500 years ago, Jehovah God told those who worshipped him what they must do to have a secure future: “I have put life and death before you, the blessing and the curse; and you must choose life so that you may live, you and your descendants.”​—Deuteronomy 30:19.

To have a bright future, those people had to make the right choice. Today we have the same options. The Bible explains how to choose a secure future: “By loving Jehovah your God, by listening to his voice.”​—Deuteronomy 30:20.

HOW CAN WE LOVE JEHOVAH AND LISTEN TO HIS VOICE?

LEARN FROM THE BIBLE: To love Jehovah, you first need to learn about him from the Bible. As you do, you will discover that he is a loving God who wants the best for you. He invites you to pray to him “because he cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7) The Bible promises that if you make the effort to get close to him, “he will draw close to you.”​—James 4:8.

APPLY WHAT YOU LEARN: To listen to God means to follow his wise guidance found in the Bible. As you do, “your way will be successful and then you will act wisely.”​—Joshua 1:8.