“Our fears are rooted in our inability to predict our future.”
– Evan McLaughlin

Psychic readings on the boardwalk of the Jersey Shore. Tarot cards and the Ouija board. Professor Marvel’s crystal ball. Why are these things so popular? An easy answer: “Our fears are rooted in our inability to predict our future.” We all want to know what’s next. We all want to be ready for whatever may come our way. We all want to be able to protect what is ours no matter what happens in the future. We all fear not being prepared and not getting what we want.

I remember being a kid and wanting so much to have a psychic reading. I would beg my mom when we would pass a sign that advertised: “See Your Future for Only $1!” She never gave in. It wasn’t until I was in college that I used my own money and went to see a psychic. I paid $50 for one hour. I wanted so desperately to know what my future would be. I was so afraid that I would never get married, or find the career that made me happy. I needed to know what was going to happen so I could stop being afraid. Needless to say, I was disappointed when the hour ran out. There wasn’t much that psychic told me that I didn’t already know. I felt cheated. I was still afraid that I would live my life alone. I was still afraid that I would never find my way to the career that I was meant to have. I was still afraid that I would never experience true happiness.

It wasn’t until I accepted my inability to know what was next that I was able to let go of those fears. That acceptance helped me to breathe easily and appreciate living in the moment. That acceptance gave me the courage to take risks even when I wasn’t sure of where I was going. And, most importantly, that acceptance didn’t come to me because a psychic told me that everything was going to be okay. That acceptance came when I was guided to let go of what I thought I wanted, and begin to trust God’s plan for my life. It was a big step. It took a lot of days and weeks and months of “acting as if” I trusted God’s plan before I actually started to truly trust it. In fact, the first bit of trust I really had was in the joy I saw in the eyes of those who guided me through the process. I trusted the happiness I saw in those whose life experiences were similar to mine. Through them, I slowly found my way to believing that if God had a plan for them that made them so joyful and peaceful, perhaps He also had a similar plan in store for me.

Throughout this journey of acceptance and trust, I have also discovered the truth about a statement often made by the certified addictions counselor who led the charge in helping me to find my way to more peaceful living. Whenever I would present a life choice that stood before me, and share my fears about what-would-happen-if-this or what-would-happen-if-that, his simple response would be: “More will be revealed.” He knew then, like I know now, that God will never present me with information I am not ready to receive. You see, God’s plan is in perfect order. When my part in the plan is needed, God will show me what to do and how to do it. Until then, all I need to do is stay connected and trust the process.

I am no longer afraid of not getting what I want or need. I know in my heart that God’s plan is working exactly as it is meant to work; and as long as I trust His wisdom and guidance, I will have peace.