Many people face a constant battle against anxiety. They worry about situations that haven’t even happened yet and, at the same time, carry the weight of past mistakes. Thus, they live trapped between yesterday and tomorrow and end up letting out the only moment they can really live: the present.

Maybe it’s your case. After all, those who suffer from anxiety usually imagine negative scenarios, feel butterflies in the stomach and ask themselves repeatedly: “What if this happens?” Or “What if it goes wrong?” In addition, the person often relives old frustrations, missed opportunities and decisions that they deeply regret.

However, there is a simple lesson that can change this way of living.

The story of the donkey, the king and the prisoner

It is said that, in the Middle Ages, a man was arrested for stealing a chicken and sentenced to death by a very severe king. He would spend the night in the dungeon and, the next day, would be hanged.

While waiting for execution, the prisoner saw a donkey outside the prison and began talking to it. The soldier who guarded the cell was surprised and asked why he was doing that.

With tranquillity, the man replied that he knew how to teach donkeys to speak.

Curious, the soldier told this to the king. So the king sent for the prisoner and made a deal: he would have a year to teach the donkey to speak. If he could, he would be free. Otherwise, he would die.

The prisoner accepted immediately.

Then, an acquaintance asked why he had created that story. The man answered calmly: in a year, a lot could happen – the king could die, the donkey could die or he himself could die. But the fact is that now he had more time.

Jesus’ teaching about anxiety

This story illustrates very well a direct teaching from the Lord Jesus:

“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”

Many people know these words, but don’t put them into practice. Therefore, they end up living alternating between two weights: the guilt of the past and the worry for the future.

Consequently, anxiety, stress and emotional exhaustion arise.

The only time you can change

There is a simple truth: the past cannot be changed and the future has not yet arrived. Therefore, the only time we can really use is the present.

So, in the face of any worry, ask a practical question: Is there anything I can do today about it?

If the answer is yes, then do it today. However, if there is nothing that can be done now, do not carry this weight before its time.

Trust God and focus on the present

The Bible shows that God can change any situation quickly. Often, what seemed impossible turns unexpectedly.

Therefore, those who trust in God learn to rest.

Stop carrying the weight of the past and stop suffering in advance for the future. Instead, focus on what you can do today.

Do your best now – and leave the rest in God’s hands.

Watch the video and discover the powerful lesson from the story of the donkey, the king and the prisoner – and how this message can change the way you face tomorrow.

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https://www.universal.org/renato-cardoso/post/o-burro-o-rei-e-o-prisioneiro/