What If?

It is he who remembered us in our low estate, for his steadfast love endures forever; and rescued us from our foes, for his steadfast love endures forever.

Almost every time something good happens to me, I find myself wondering, What if something bad happens next? Years ago, I walked through a series of health crises that came on the heels of a busy season of travel and overcommitment. After that experience, I began associating joyful moments with a sense of foreboding. I was convinced that the worst was on its way, and my brain hypothesized all the negative scenarios that could happen. In some twisted way, I convinced myself that if I could conjure up all the scenarios that might transpire, I could preemptively prepare for heartache and protect myself from pain.

Rather than protecting me, however, this destructive thought pattern became a roadblock to praising God and experiencing peace in Christ. Instead of giving thanks to God for answered prayer, victory over sin, and daily provision, I started second-guessing his character, believing he would snatch good gifts from me as quickly as they came.

At the core of our what-ifs is the false belief that God isn’t good and that he isn’t always good to us. When we allow what-ifs to dominate our thinking, our fears escalate, overshadowing the foundational truth that God is sovereign and is always at work, even in the midst of gut-wrenching heartache, chronic pain, and unexpected trouble.

The knowledge of God’s sovereignty does not prevent us from walking through hardship, but it does offer us an anchoring hope in the storm (see Hebrews 6:19). It’s true that we live in a fallen world where bad things happen, and no amount of protection or preparation can shield us from experiencing the effects of sin. But it’s also true that we have access to indescribable joy that transcends any and all heartache (see Psalm 16:11).

Instead of bracing for the bad that could happen, what if we joined the psalmist and gave thanks to the Lord for all the good he has done, is doing, and will continue to do (see Psalm 136)? What if, instead of anticipating everything that could go wrong, we chose to praise God for his faithfulness in the things we can see, as well as the things we can’t see (see Hebrews 11:1)?

Praise is always possible. Giving thanks to God for what he has done, what he is doing, and what he will do moves us from asking “What if?” to being filled with assurance of his steadfast love. Whether we are dancing on a mountaintop or grieving in a valley, God’s love holds us, heals us, and helps us endure with joy. In every place, in every season, God is good—and he is good to us.

Sister, there is no need to fear what could come today. God already knows. This moment is what we have, and at this moment we can experience joy as we fix our eyes on Jesus, who endured the cross “for the joy set before him” (Hebrews 12:2, NIV).

Eternal joy is ours in Jesus. Rather than spending your time worrying about what might or might not happen, embrace the ever-present help and hope you have in Christ. In all things, he is God, he is good, and his steadfast love endures forever.

Word before World We do not need to fear what tomorrow holds; rather, we can praise God for his faithfulness today.

Grow in Grace Ask the Holy Spirit to lead you out of the land of what-if and into the love of the Lord, who remembers us and rescues us, all because of his steadfast love.