When I am afraid, I will trust you. I praise God for his word. I trust God, so I am not afraid.

Psalm 56:3-4 (NCV)

We live in a very “what if” kind of world. Everywhere we look, we are encouraged to prepare for the “what-if’s” in life. What if we run out of money? We better not tithe or give generously, because someday we will need it. What if someone we love dies? We better worry incessantly, control all their activities, and never let them out of our sight to ensure their safety! What if people judge me? I better go buy the best clothes and do what everyone else does to make sure I am good enough to be accepted. What if I fail? I shouldn’t even attempt this, because if I don’t try I can’t fail. Yeah…in so many ways, this world tells us to “play it safe”. This world thrives on fear, and all that fear controls us. 

Unlike the world and its constant barrage of “what-if’s,” God wants us to focus on what IS! He wants us to trust HIM, not our own planning, procuring, pride, or paychecks! (Matthew 6:25, 1 Timothy 6:17) He wants us to ask for what we need today, not for what we might need someday. (Luke 11:3) He wants us to know that only He can save us, not our money, our belongings, or any amount of striving. (Acts 4:12) He wants us to thrive on His Truth, not on the fear. (Psalm 33:4-5) And He wants us to reject the lies of the world, and to fight against them as He has prepared us to do! (Ephesians 6:10-18) 

If you don’t take control of your “what-if” thinking, it will take control of you! Worry and fear haven’t earned your love, so stop worshiping them by giving them so much of your time and energy. The “what-if’s” of life will always be there, but you can choose where to focus your heart. You can either focus on the uncertainty of life or on the certainty of God. You can dwell on the scarcity of money, or on the abundance of God’s grace and unconditional love. You can be consumed with what others think of you, or you can live like you are loved by the God who planned you and created you to live a life with Him that is beyond your wildest dreams. Ask Him to help you catch all those “what-if’s” and remind you of what IS: He is God…He’s got this! You are loved! 

“Worry gives a small thing a big shadow.”—Swedish Proverb.