What if’s?
Have you ever been bombarded with “what if’s” from the enemy?
What if she gets mad at me? What if they think I am crazy? What if I had talked to her? What if I am wrong? Who do I think I am? What can I do anyway? What if I destroy everything? What if it destroys me?
Filled with worry, I go from one extreme of “what if” to the other…What if I said too much? What if I didn’t say enough? All of those what if’s are about me, and they all focus on me.
What if’s tend to immobilize me. They also keep me from being effective for Christ. What if’s make me afraid to share Jesus with others. What if’s make me think I am not even equipped to share Jesus with others. What if’s make me reluctant to share how Jesus changed me. What if’s make me doubt what I am supposed to do!
What if’s keep me very focused on myself.
It’s not about me.
I have been struggling with what if’s and God is meeting me with each “what if” and in his patient and gentle way he whispers, “it’s not about you”….into my heart.
I think of it as holding a mirror and looking at my reflection:
What if I make a fool out of myself? What if I don’t know what to say? What if I’m wrong? What if …
Turn the mirror around to Christ, and let His Light reflect off of that mirror and shine His light!
Even if this turns out great, all glory to the Lord!
Even if this turns out bad, Lord I am trusting you and will keep being obedient.
Even if this turns out in ways that don’t even make sense, just help me to trust you.
I can’t focus on who I am and what I can accomplish because it is not about me – even in perceived success or failure – it’s about Him! I just have to be obedient and trust that he’s got the whole world (even the really ugly, hard, dark parts) in His Hands and He will Romans 8:28 it all – every time. Give Him the Glory in all things. Turn the mirror around and look at Him.
Don’t pat yourself on the back and don’t beat yourself up!
It’s not about you. I don’t know about you, but for me this is such a relief!!
When we are looking into the mirror at ourselves, we miss looking at our Savior and keeping our eyes on Him. It’s not about us!
What if these were our only what if’s this week: What if I trust you Lord? What if I trust you with all of my heart? What if I don’t even think about myself? What if I just submit to you and go where you lead?
Let’s be intentional this week to not worry… let’s be intentional to see where he leads. Let’s keep our eyes on Him. Let’s shine bright, friends.
Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own.
Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track.
Don’t assume that you know it all.
Run to God! Run from evil!
Proverbs 3:5-7 (MSG)
I love this post, Michelle. Those “what-ifs” can be so relentless sometimes, can’t they? Longing with you, as you say, to “trust that he’s got the whole world (even the really ugly, hard, dark parts) in His Hands and He will Romans 8:28 it all – every time.” Thank you so much for this encouragement. So timely.
I remember very clearly when my kids were in the daycare, at end of day, when I pick them up, the joy to have him run to your arm is always over whelming. Also, Chinese has a kind family “game” to see who the child is running to. When he just started to walk, you put him in the middle of circle of families, whoever he runs to is the one child loved most. Is that the same God is waiting for us to run to His arms, is it the same way we should run to God like a child total trust!
Great posts and great replies! The what ifs kill me sometimes. I struggle each day to carry out my prayer of “thy will be done, not mine!”