“I command you: be strong and steadfast! Do not fear nor be dismayed, for the Lord, your God, is with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:9
Sometimes, we fall into the ‘what ifs’ and ‘I can’ts’ as we refuse to accept the situations we face. We may even step into a state of fear and dread as we imagine the worst. We often resort to these two patterns of thinking when we are overwhelmed or anxious. In reality, when fear rolls in preventing us from dealing with whatever is at hand, we may shut down. Fear has the power to render us emotionally, physically, and spiritually frozen, as we imagine negative scenarios that will most likely never occur. What if I lose my job? What if I fail my tests? What if I get sick? The scenarios are endless. Could it be that we forget, or fail to recognize, that there is always a remedy for our brokenness and every situation, that is found in Jesus Christ?
As we move into the ‘What-ifs,’ and the ‘I can’ts’ become our mantra, we too often exclude Jesus when times become difficult. In essence, we walk away from Him. The very One who is the source of our hope and healing, Jesus Christ. He is the one who can steady any storm we endure and keep us upright. Perhaps we forget that we are not alone in our problems and during times of feeling broken—that Jesus himself is with us. He is always with us working things out on our behalf, especially when we can stop and ask Him for whatever we need.
We may even fail to remember that God is in control. Regardless of our beliefs or situation, He is the life-giving source of our healing, strength, inner peace, calm, and serenity—even and especially, in times of adversity. That is exactly why there is always hope. If we find ourselves feeling lost or hopeless, or going down the dead end road of ‘What-ifs,’ we need to stop and remember that perhaps it’s time to take another look at our own personal perspectives and relationship with Jesus Christ—and turn to Him in prayer.
There is always reason to hope. Our mission in this life is to look unceasingly for the true source of our hope and our God-given purpose. If you look closely, you will soon find that Jesus is our hope. At that point, we are able to put aside the “What-ifs” and the “I can’ts” and live a joy-filled life as we answer the calling God has specifically for us. Hence, realizing our God-given purpose, and our hope and optimism. For we receive a tremendous boost when we place our trust in Him.
Whatever you are facing today, you will find new strength, courage and freedom in your situation that has been all-consuming when you place your hope in Jesus. You will see your situation with greater clarity and with a new and brighter perspective. As you place your trust in Jesus, you will be able to leave behind the anxiety, sadness, despair, hopelessness, and emptiness that have plagued you. By changing your mantra from “What-if” and “I can’t” to “I can” and “All is well,” you will release the fear you once lived with, and your peace will be restored.
Copyright 2023 | Adele M. Gill
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