“What if…?”
How would you complete that sentence?
I could complete it in a hundred ways.
A vivid imagination can be a blessing at times, but, when your mind seems to respond to new situations by trying to foresee every possible outcome and come up with a plan to deal with them, it can seem like more of a curse.
At times the questions torment me… spinning round and round inside my mind:
What if people judge me?
What if they laugh at me?
What if I try and fail?
What if I’m rejected?
What if I’m not good enough?
What if it doesn’t work out?
What if I’ve heard God wrong?
What if this is all a big mistake?
If I listen to these questions for too long, I’ll give in to fear, lock myself away, play it safe, keep quiet.
But if I manage to quiet this voice and choose to listen, sometimes I manage to hear another voice, whispering through the turmoil – the voice of hope – presenting another set of questions:
What if God can use this?
What if God is calling you?
What if this makes a difference, even for a few people?
What if God has a purpose in this that is bigger than you can see right now?
What if you let fear hold you back from what God is calling you to do?
The thing is: there’s only one way to find out. We don’t always have a guarantee that it will go well, even if God is calling us, but, if we believe he is calling us, there isn’t a choice. We have to step out.
I know that my constant, “What if…”s are rooted in a desire for control, but I need to accept that I’m not really in control.
And I need to remind myself that the one who is in control is absolutely trustworthy. If he is calling, he will enable, and if I’m wrong, he will be there to catch me.
When it comes down to it, the real question is:
What if you trust him?
This is an adapted version of a Five Minute Friday post from June 2018. It is a message I need to remind myself of this week, and I hope it encourages you too!
Life in the Spacious Place 
Thank you for the reminder that in our anxiety we can choose to trust God, rather than living in fear of the what ifs: future.
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Glad you found it helpful, Anita! I need to remind myself too!
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What if? Indeed!
Love the reminder, What if I just trust God with it?!
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Thanks, Fiona!
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This really DOES inspire me. It’s God’s version of CBT … replacing thoughts that immobilise us with God’s thoughts that free us into action. I like this!
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So glad it inspired you! Yes, your comment reminds me of the Bible verse of taking every thought captive.
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I tend to trip myself up and talk myself out of things with “what ifs,” too. I love the idea of replacing them with your other “what ifs” from the standpoint of God’s calling and provision.
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Thanks, Barbara! I definitely find it too easy to dwell on the potential negative outcomes sometimes. It makes a difference to try to turn those around.
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Oh, yes…those “What ifs”. I struggle with them often. I am never sure if I am hearing God telling me to do something or if it’s my own voice inside my head. At some point, we must overcome our fear and plunge ahead!
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Yes, it’s so easy for fear to paralyse us. Sometimes we just have to step out in faith.
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Thank you, Lesley, for giving me this needed reminder. I listen to the wrong what-ifs far too often. I need to remember to “hear another voice, whispering through the turmoil – the voice of hope – presenting another set of questions!” Love and blessings to you!
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Thanks, Trudy! I definitely need the reminder too. It’s so easy to get caught up in listening to our doubts and fears instead of tuning in to the voice of hope. Love and blessings to you too!
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Lesley, I have a whole post on “What ifs….” It’s like the two words that spark anxiety in my soul. I’m glad we can trust the One who is in control. He certainly is trustworthy! Thanks for these reminders.
Thank you for linking up at InstaEncouragements!
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Yes, “what if” can bring a lot of anxiety if we’re not careful, but turning it round to focus on God helps!
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So good, Lesley. The “what ifs” that I usually gravitate toward have to do with something bad happening. Interestingly enough, in recent years, some of the very things I feared the most actually DID happen, and God was faithful to see me through. I love your final “what if.” And I guess if I had to give an answer, if we trust Him, He will never fail us.
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Thanks, Lois! That’s a great point. God knows what is going to happen and when bad things do happen he will be with us and provide all we need. It is so comforting to remember that he will never fail us.
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I’m a “what if” girl too. I love this Lesley!!
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Thanks, Bethany!
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Yes! There are so many positive What If’s to counteract the negatives that spring to my mind.
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I just need to train myself to focus on them more!
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I love how you flipped the normal “what if” on its head! I definitely am a “what if” worrier, so I’ll have to remember to turn those around to positive things instead of negative. Thanks, Lesley!
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Thanks, Lisa! I need to remind myself to flip it round too!
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I did not see that last question coming, “What if I trust Him?”. What’s so awesome about that question is the result will always be good unlike all the other questions. I need to trust Him with everything. It’s hard sometimes.
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I agree, it’s really hard. Even though we know in our heads we can trust him, it can be hard to take that step.
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I tend to be a “what if” girl, too. I love the way you turned the “what if’s” into positives, Leslie. I’m going to try to be intentional about changing the thought patterns to a different sort of question the next time I’m struggling.
Peace and grace,
Tammy
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Thanks, Tammy! It’s something I need to be more intentional about putting into practice too!
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I also ask the question “What if…” more often than I should. It can lead to deep fear as you stated or lead us straight to the arms of God. Thank you for reposting this. It was just what I needed to read today.
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Thanks, Mary! I need to remind myself of this often too! I’m glad the post blessed you.
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Lesley,
I am so glad you shared it again. I am going to feature it this week on Grace & Truth Link-Up. I get hung up in the What if’s at times?
Maree
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Thanks, Maree! I’m glad it encouraged you. Thanks for featuring it!
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So… Of all the things. I misread the sentence “We have to step out.” as “What if we step out.” LOL
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🙂
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Lesley,
I, too, have been paralyzed by the “What if’s.” I do believe it is our knee jerk reaction to try to stay “in control.” But, what if I let whatever come forth – surrender control – and know that even if the worst case happens, God can still use it for my good and His glory. I still look back to the story of Joseph. God used all the worst cases unfolding to write an ever bigger story of redemption and forgiveness. Loved your post!
Blessings,
Bev xx
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Thanks, Bev! Yes, control is an ongoing struggle for me too. I love the story of Joseph – it always encourages me that God has a plan for good even when parts of the story are difficult.
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What you shared today is true. What if we trust God? So much changes in life when that happens! Thank you for the reminder. It was a joy to find you through the grace and truth link up!
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I have a daughter who struggles with the what ifs of life. It becomes debilitating at times. I have become that “friend” who says, okay, what if? It is extremely helpful. Face the fear head on and give it to God.
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Thanks, Calvonia! I’m glad you’re able to encourage your daughter in this.
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