My daughter Georgia and I love to watch The Great British Baking Show reruns with Paul, Mary, Mel, and Sue. We’ve watched the seasons featuring them, several times each by now. While watching it recently, one of the contestants on the show was expressing the fear that they were about to be kicked off, and I found myself chuckling because I knew the truth. This contestant would actually go on to win that season. I caught myself saying out loud, “Don’t worry, honey, you have nothing to worry about; you’re going to win this thing.” It was easy for me to say this because I knew the end of the story.
As a writer, I spend a lot of time thinking things over in my mind and this was no exception. I kept thinking about what a difference it makes when you know the end of the story. This contestant was genuinely worried they were about to be the one to leave the show, having no idea they would be the one to win in the end. As I thought about it, I realized I have a lot in common with this contestant. I get worried when I don’t know what is going to happen. Not knowing how things are going to turn out can be quite stressful. When you don’t know what the future holds, anxiety can arise.
Since none of us truly can know the future, we have to find a way to cope with the fear of the unknown. Remember how I said I wasn’t worried about the contestant leaving because I knew how it all ended? I know Someone who knows how my story is going to turn out and I can choose to trust Him to take care of me. This is how I face uncertain days; I trust Him to see me through. “Casting all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you” 1 Peter 5:7. You don’t have to fear the future when you know the One who holds the future in His hands.
There are days when anxiety tries to weigh me down and fear attempts to smother me. There are heavy burdens that trouble my heart. There are people I so desperately want to help, but I am not the One who can. People I love are hurting. People I love are struggling. Some days, the stress is almost too much to handle. I look around me and I feel as if perhaps the whole world is going crazy. There is so much uncertainty, my friend, and some days, it gets a little hard. What do you do when you don’t know what the future holds? You look to the One who holds the future in His hands. You look to the One who knows the end from the beginning (Isa. 46:10).
When my mind is full of questions and anxiety weighs down my heart, I go to the One who has the answers I need. When I spend time with Him and I look to His Word I am comforted; I am strengthened. In His presence, I always find the help and peace that I need. He calms my worried mind and fills my heart with peace. He gives me the courage to keep pressing on, trusting that He is taking care of all that concerns me. I might not have all the answers, but I can trust the One who does. This knowledge gives me the strength to face each day, knowing that I am safe in His care.
I can’t solve the problems that my friends and loved ones may be facing, but I can carry them in prayer to the One who can. As I wait for things to change, I keep trusting in the One who knows how the story is going to end. I keep trusting in the One who loves them even more than I do. I pray and I carry them to the Healer they need, trusting Him to do what only He can do in their hearts and lives. On my own I am nothing, but my prayers can make a difference. “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much” James 5:16. Instead of worrying, I can choose to pray and trust God!
And, my friend, I don’t know about you, but I have read the end of The Story and I’m sure glad to know… my team wins in the end!
Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! Psalm 46:10
You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. Isaiah 26:3
Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10
When I am afraid, I put my trust in You. Psalm 56:3
Katrina Douglas
4/8/21
