You Must Know the End of Your Character's Story, but not the End of the Plot

Do you know how your WIP ends? 

While I'm a "pantser" (writing "by the seat of my,") rather than a plotter, I sure do. The end must be contained in the beginning to create a cohesive experience for your reader.

To that end: look at your beginning. What happens in your beginning that is so important for your character to change about themselves? Do they have doubt (in love? in humanity?) that must turn to faith? Do they have fear that must turn to trust? 

That's your character's story arc.

As far as the plot is concerned, meh. Whatever. That's where you write by the seat of your pants.