What If…

If you’re like me, it’s a struggle to not be fearful over health risks and finances as the Coronavirus outbreak continues to spread with no cure in sight. What if someone I love gets sick? What if my income continues to dwindle? What if it gets to the point that I can’t even pay my bills? 

I’ll be the first to admit I’ve lost a little sleep over these frightening “what ifs.” 

We all know that fear does not come from God, but at times like this, it’s a fight to keep it at bay. It slithers up our spines, curls around our necks, and tries to squeeze the faith right out of us. 

So, what’s a Christian to do? 

I have found that remembering the specific ways God worked for good through other frightening times in my life lifts the burden of fear and changes my focus from “what if” to “even if.” 

In recalling God’s faithfulness during my hardest seasons, I find myself praising him for the miraculous ways he carried me through. 

Every. Single. Time. 

Meditating on his faithfulness has transformed my prayers from “Lord, what if these things I am fearing come to fruition?” to “Lord, even if these things I am fearing come to fruition, you are faithful. You are perfect and mighty in all of your ways. You are my fortress, my rock, my deliverer, and you work all things for the good of those who love you. I love you, and I trust that you will carry me through just as you always have.”

“Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10).