The Rest of the Story
Have you ever listened to Paul Harvey? He had a way of telling ordinary stories that became extraordinary by the time he reached the end. Just when you thought you knew where he was going, he’d reveal one final twist and close with those famous words, “And now…the rest of the story.” I wish life always felt like the anticipation of, The Rest of the Story.
But lately, I’ve been so consumed by the mighty middle of the story, that I have forgotten the rest of the story. I have been struggling with a lot of anxiety and stress. And truly, I have never been one to let things stress me out. Even my team will often ask, “how can you be so calm with THIS happening?” Whatever THIS happens to be. I learned a long time ago that we can’t bring our own personal emotions into an already emotionally charged situation, and resolve it. I am usually calm and rational, and as long as I don’t add additional fuel to the fire with more of my own feelings and impatient jabs in between, things typically work themselves out much more smoothly. And even still in realizing this, my emotions have been tackling my “calm as a cucumber” like demeanor.
I know the Rest of the Story. And I am usually the first one to say, I know God has got this. But lately, stress seems to be getting the best of me. Situations are affecting me. I am in territory in which I have little experience. I have had digestive issues. I have had emotions that feel out of place. I have had knots in my muscles that even the therapists can’t work out. I have not been as pleasant as normal. I have been short tempered. (yeah, I know what you’re thinking, but it’s not all hormones! 😊) I have let things get to me that never have before. For example, I love hosting friends and family at my home. My husband and I love to cook and share sunsets, happy times and blessings with others. But for some reason, much of this is now becoming overwhelming. Too much of even a good thing, isn’t always good. There are responsibilities that can never seem to shut down. We are supposed to be able to thrive in the environments we’ve spent decades building. I am not complaining, by any means. I am actually more grateful than ever for my business, friends and family!! I am just not doing the best job of being the “chilled out Leslie” that is my normal claim to fame. Little things that used to be like second nature now seem like they’re trying to take me down. I can actually feel it bubbling in my throat as I write.
Now, I am beginning to see things more like my Mom did when I was a teenager. You know how moms always say, “you’re burning the candle at both ends”. And well, you continue to do it anyway? But, over time, burning the candle at both ends meets in the middle and there’s no more wick left to burn. We push push push, and never stop to refuel. We continue running on fumes a little too long. We have forgotten how to stop, and embrace being still. Pause is something you do for a second, and then resume at 1.5x speed. But when you feel it coming on, it may be your moment to slow. Time for re-evaluation. Maybe we need a total pattern disruption.
I think that every generation goes through seasons that feel impossible. We all get to a point where we know it is time to actually DO something different. Stop and change directions. Throughout time, people have had to reframe their ideals and safe havens, reaching what feels like the pinnacle of despair, and somehow finding a way to carry on and prosper. The disciples did. People during the Civil War did. People after 9/11 did. Those who have buried someone they love have. Today, I find myself here now.
Yet…Faith has remained. It is steadfast. Each and every devastating situation that came around, God led them to the next chapter. And that is always The Rest of the Story. He overcame, and continues to each and every day. As He is with me. As He is with you. It wasn’t always pretty. It definitely wasn’t easy to overcome. Actually, each of these situations seemed like the sheer end of existence, and life as they knew it. So why should I let anxiety get the best of me now, knowing that God has got this?
Because, Fear is one of the enemy’s greatest weapons.
He whispers that we’re alone.
That we aren’t enough.
That tomorrow is something to fear instead of trust.
That God has forgotten us.
And this causes doubt. Doubt that surely is not a reality.
We are all vulnerable to these lies, but we should trust fully the rest of the story. And there’s only one story. God Wins. Of course, that doesn’t lessen the emotional turmoil we are going through on Earth. We suffer, we struggle, we doubt, we question, and we fail. We lose whole chapters of our lives with worry. Now, I simply realize that this lesson was an answer to prayer, and totally and wholly for me to write, and to trust in the story.
Letting stress go is one of the choices we have. It is not an easy choice. But honestly, it should be the only choice. I am not making light of yours, or my situations. But when we feel anxious, afraid, undecided, or lost, we should realize God is there. It is finished. God has already won. So, give Him the benefit of your trust. The middle chapters are often messy, but God has never forgotten how the story ends. He is the only one that will never let you down. And although you will not always understand the circumstances you are facing, and most importantly the outcomes that we face, the truth is that God is for us, and who should ever be against us.
So today, I’m making a choice. Maybe you should too.
Not because my circumstances have changed.
Not because all my questions have been answered.
But because God hasn’t changed.
Turmoil comes. Faith remains.
And so does He.
And that my friend, is the rest of the story.