I tend to be a worrier. I worry, “what if” scenarios. But lately, I have been redirecting that worry and what if thoughts, into “even if” thoughts.
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego said, “our God will rescue us from your hand. But even if He does not, we want you to know, O King, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” (Daniel 3:16-18)
I want to be like Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. When worry or fear begin to consume me, I want to tell the enemy, “I don’t care. Even if God does not save me from this, I will not give in to your attempts to overwhelm me with worry, fear or doubt.”
Our hope has to be anchored in Jesus and what He can do. Not what if thoughts, consuming us with fear and doubt regarding what the enemy might do.
Even if. Not what if.
Jesus is our hope. He is not our challenge. He has already proven Himself to us. God, through Jesus, gave us every single thing we need. What we have to do, is lean into Him, and allow Him to be the One. The One who stills the waters. The One who quiets the storms. The One who wipes our tears. The One who loves us with immeasurable love. The One who forgives us. The One who extends grace when we do not deserve it. The One who is merciful. The One who is our friend. The One who prays for us.
We just have to let worry and what if go, and press into Jesus.
“I spread out my hands to you; my soul thirsts for you like a parched land.” - Psalm 143:6 (NIV)
We cannot receive His blessings with clenched fists. We have to spread out our hands to Him. Our soul thirsts for Him like a parched land, and He quenches every single thirst.
Jesus was in that fire with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. He saved them.
Jesus was in that boat when His disciples were afraid of the storm, and He got up and rebuked the wind and the waves. (Mark 4:39). Jesus was walking on the water when Peter said, “If it’s you, tell me to come to you on the water.” (Matthew 14). We know the rest of that story. Jesus commanded Peter to come out to Him, and as Peter began walking on the water, he took his eyes off Jesus, and got himself tangled up in fear when he saw the waves, and began to sink.
So Jesus reached in and saved Peter.
It’s what He does. He saves. He rescues. He restores. He redeems.
I do not know what worry, fear or doubt that is burning you up in a fire. I do not know what the waves and wind of worry, fear and doubt are to make you feel like you are drowning, but I do know that if you live your life focused on, “Even if,” rather than, “What if,” your heart will be at peace.
Jesus is our anchor of hope. He is an even if, not what if, King.