“What are some of the biggest struggles you face in your spiritual life?” I asked Michelle, a kind, middle aged, woman who generously answered my impromptu “audience research” questions. 

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She sighed deeply and said, “Feeling like there is no solid ground. I read the headlines and I worry about how the chaos in the world is going to affect the future. Especially my kids’ future. What is the world going to be like for them… for my grandchildren!” She paused, and looked me in the eye, “It’s hard to see where God is in all of this.” 

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I feel her anxiety. 

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My own kids are right on the verge of launching, and I often worry that there won’t be any safe landing places. Will they be able to get good jobs? Find good spouses? What will our country look like in 20 years!? 

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Worry – anxiety –  is an obsessive, fearful apprehension of an uncertain future full of diffuse threats, all of which require my full attention. It’s a kind of disease of my attention. I get so focused on all the future “What ifs!?” that I have no bandwidth left for what actually is. 

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So, what's the cure?

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Hope! The cure for my obsession with the uncertain future is to look further in the future and contemplate the certainty of Christ's return in glory.

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Hope feels like confidence. Confidence based on a certain, guaranteed, good outcome: That Jesus is coming with power to restore peace and justice to all the earth! He will put an end to all wars and strife! Which is why we sing during Advent: “Oh Savior of the nations come!”

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Christ’s return is certain. I don’t know when it will happen, but I know it will happen! 

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So join me during this advent season as I lift my gaze from the chaos around me, and fix my attention on the certainty of Christ’s promise. He has come, he is present, and he will come again. And all will be well! 

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