What If?
- I lose my job?
- No one likes me?
- I make the wrong decision?
- (fill in the blank)?
The What if Game
Do you play the “What If” game when life gets complicated? I know I do. And, I find myself doing it more now during this pandemic and all the uncertainty of the future. Do you worry and stress about the decisions you make in life? In fact, feelings of inadequacy cause all of us to suffer and question ourselves. Then, we waste time on self-accusation for the mistakes we made. We miss out on experiencing the joy of life as God intended it to be for us. And, we miss out on the peace that God provides to every person He created.
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
John 14:27
Uncertainty
I tend to over-think many problems as I try to come up with all the ways something could go wrong. Also, my overthinking even invades my faith walk. Sometimes, I feel called to action only to find myself coming up with a million reasons why I might fail. Then afterward, I beat myself up for missing out on something God had planned for me. And suppose I don’t let the made-up scenarios stop me. In that case, I worry about seeking the approvals of others before completing the task. If only I could do a better job of letting go and letting God be in charge. Even that thought contained a “What If.”
“Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.”
Galatians 1:10
Benefits of Changing
Recently, I came across a quote that caused me to pause and think. The quote is pictured below. Am I the person God wanted me to become, or did all my “what ifs” and “over-thinking” turn me into someone else? I know Christ dying on the cross saved me from my sins. But I am nervous about standing in front of God and seeing what my life could have been like. If only I had sought the kingdom of God first in my decisions. Will I be sad watching the person I could have been versus the person I was in life? Witnessing all the incredible things Christ could have done through me, if only I stopped playing the ‘what if” games.
Jesus Make a Difference
There is good news for all of us. With God, all things are possible. And, it is never too late to begin again. We may have missed out on opportunities, but God will provide more for us if we stop playing the games. God has a plan and a path marked out for each of us, all we have to do is follow it. So, throw away your “what ifs” and “uncertainty” and follow Christ wherever he leads. He has a full and abundant life He wants to share with you.
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us…”
Hebrews 12:1
Blessings,
Yvonne M. Morgan, author, blogger, and speaker.
Matthew 28:19 “Therefore, GO and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.”
100% of the proceeds from sales of my book, Turning Mountains Into Molehills, help the orphans at Orphan Relief Effort, Inc.
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When I catch myself thinking “What if?”, I try my best to go to God and find comfort with Him. He is in control and I don’t need to worry.
The best way to do it. We must learn to trust God with our futures especially in the turmoil. Thanks Melissa and God bless
I am very familiar with the ‘what if’ game. It’s quite destructive when I think about it. Satan loves to use it to hold us back from where God wants to lead us. I have recently surrendered this game and decided to follow God’s path to his purpose for me. It’s exciting. I sure don’t want that quote to be my reality! Thankful for the grace and mercy of our God!
Amen and me too. Trusting our path to God is so much more peaceful and exciting like you said. Thanks Marcie and God bless
If I’m not careful, I can be prone to playing the “What If?” game.
But I loooove the quote you cited:
“What if? On your last day on earth, the person you became will meet the person you could have become?”
It converts a destructive question into motivation to obey God’s prompts for His glory!
That quote really got my attention too and it does motivate me to try to be what Christ wants me to be. Thanks Ava and God bless
Amen to this! I’ve had to force myself to stop playing the “what if” game and just surrender to God’s plan.
Amen. The best way to approach life with Christ. Thanks Jessica and God bless
I think we’re pretty much wired to miss out on all God is willing to do through and for us. I say that not as an excuse, but more as an admission. Like Paul said, that which I would do, that do I not. It’s hard, if not impossible, to give 100%. But even the less than is rewarding. I’m thankful for God’s mercy and using the low percentage of what I do for Him. I suppose He even multiplies it to accomplish more than I put out. I hope I take more and more opportunities to give of myself with each passing week.
Yes, I agree that 100% is impossible for us as humans. But I know I miss out on so many things because of my insecurities. Like you, I want to get each week. Thanks Stephen and God bless
What ifs are torture weapons used by Satan against us. We did what we did. We cannot go back in time. Our past cannot be changed. For some of us, that means horrific crimes or enormous failures are back there. For others, we flew through always doing the right thing, never failing.
For the first group, a what if destroys all hope, for those past events harmed the future in all sorts of ways. For the second group, a what if destroys all hope, for the pride and self importance within them can swell up and destroy their futures.
Thankfully, God is all grace and forgiveness. When we arrive in heaven, we won’t see a recounting of all that we could have been if only we’d been more perfect. Jesus’ blood has covered all of that, and his grace and mercy have made it possible for us to never let those failures grab hold of us and destroy our hope. We will be welcomed with open arms when we arrive, no matter how little we accomplished or how much.
Amen and thank you Jesus. Thanks Melinda for visiting and commenting. God bless
Yvonne, that anonymous quote makes you think! Part of my battle with fear and anxiety almost always stems from “what if’s.” But in Christ we become fearless and at peace when we place our trust in Him.
I battle with it too. But I am learning to just keep moving forward. I pray for all of us to stop the what if’s. Thanks Karen and God bless
You are right Yvonne. Keeping our eyes on God and what He desires for us to be is best. Moving my gaze anywhere else just leaves me dizzy and overwhelmed. 🙂
Yes it does. Thanks and God bless
What if we don’t miss what God wants to give us? Have us do? Let us experience? What if? Fabulous!
Thanks Nancy. He provides us with so many blessings. God bless.
I honestly don’t know how people navigate this world without faith. I guess that might be a “what if” we had to live in a world where there was no faith in God who gives us hope? Thankfully, we will never have to answer that question.
I agree. Hope and Christ is what gets me through this times. Faith is so fundamental to life. Thanks Lisa and God bless
I certainly am guilty of overthinking; your blog has caused me to consider: Perhaps fear as a result of overthinking is leading me to miss out on God’s best.
I think we all can be guilty of this kind of thinking. But the good news is God still loves us and can still use us to accomplish His will. Thanks Candice and God bless