What If?

I have found myself repeating a phrase more and more these days. I’ve been saying it to myself as I face new challenges and long term ones. Every time I say the phrase my perspective starts to change and when my perspective starts to change so does my emotional state.

I firmly believe that managing our emotional state is a key to winning. The battle is won or lost in our mind way before we ever find an actual solution.

Not only have I been saying this phrase to myself, it is a phrase I’ve been sharing more and more with people I pastor when they let me know about a rough time they are going through. These faith-filled people are each going through different situations and circumstances but experiencing the same crippling emotion I often do…fear.

The most common manifestation of this fear I’ve experienced has at its root the haunting question of, “What if?” Don’t misunderstand me a very powerful and positive side exists to “What if?” What if…I can really change? What if…I can have a better marriage? What if…I could spend more time with my kids? What if…I could change the direction of my life? What if…I could find my purpose and live it everyday? What if…people really accepted and loved me for me?

Those types of “What if’s” cause us to imagine a better future. We imagine the life we want instead of the life we are enduring. “What if” can help us get unstuck and inspire us to move forward.

BUT…there is a dark side that is as equally powerful to “What if.” The dark side causes us to envision all of the things outside of our control–the hopelessness that can creep in from all the reasons things can’t change or ever get better. I’ve found the dark side of “What if” comes much easier than the hope-filled side of “imagine.”

This is where the battle is won or lost before a solution is ever found. The fear side of “What if” is overwhelming. What if…the test results come back as cancer? What if… I can’t forgive her? What if…I can’t find a job? What if…this treatment doesn’t work? What if…my brother never finds Jesus? What if…I don’t get married? What if…I have to file bankruptcy? What if…counseling doesn’t work? What if…we don’t raise the money? (I can already feel my anxiety level rising!)

All of those fear based “What if’s” are a powerful force in our lives leaving us feeling helpless and hopeless.

The simple phrase that has been helping me and others that I’ve shared it with break out of this death spiral comes right from St. Paul…the guy who used to persecute Christians and then became one.

Here it is:

Don’t let fear rule in your heart. Let Christ’s peace rule.

Peace is what we most crave in the moments when we become overwhelmed with all of the possibilities of what could go wrong. In those moments, I need to be reminded that God is always in control and promises to bring about good (Romans 8:28) out of any situation. He is the master of bringing beauty from ashes. If you’ll trust Him.

Jesus specifically said that He gives a different kind of peace than what is available anywhere else (John 14:27). When I’m not feeling at peace it’s because I’ve replaced Jesus with fear. I’m allowing fear to rule of my life and emotions. I’m allowing fear to be in charge or literally “govern” the kingdom of me. Fear is a cruel dictator.

You always have a choice as to what is ruling your heart and mind. If you have been consumed with fear and the dark sides of “What if?” you aren’t letting Christ rule in your heart. You are allowing fear to be your tyrant. It’s important for you to realize you will be ruled by something, but the choice is yours to make. One brings anxiety the other brings peace. The choice of peace is a deliberate decision you’ll have to make numerous times, but the battle for peace is better than being debilitated by fear.

Reminding myself of this little truth: “Don’t let fear rule in your heart, let Christ’s peace rule.” helps me to mentally change channels knowing that a good and loving God is in control of the things out of my control.

One will always be ruling your life. You get to choose.

Choose Peace.

Remember: Fear is faith in the enemy. Peace is faith in Jesus.