What If vs. Even If

What if while we’re away, Anna cries a lot or gets sick? Even if while we’re away, Anna cries or doesn’t sleep well, God is with those taking care of her, with me, and with Anna. He’s a good God.

What if something happens to John on the way to work? Even if something happens to John on the way to work, God is our provision. He’s a good God.

What if I get sick or make a huge mistake or a friendship falls apart? Even if I get sick or make a huge mistake or am hurt by a friend, God is enough and His grace is sufficient. He’s a good God.

These are actual thoughts that have crossed my mind before. After such a What If inner monologue, the Holy Spirit seemed to say: What if? How about Even if?

What if is fantasy. It lives in my mind, almost always in the future and it’s often worst case scenario. Even if is reality, an outcome realized but answered with what is true.

In What if, truth is out there in a mass of possibilities. In Even if, truth can be applied confidently and clearly, albeit weak or uncertain.

In What if, we wonder how we can possibly be at rest. In Even if, rest is not only available, but the obvious choice when we see God as He truly is.

In What if, I’m putting myself in control by trying to avoid the bad with my right choices. In Even if, I surrender outcomes to God, life can happen as it will.. make choices and let God be God.

In What if, I fear the unknown. I live there because that’s all I can see. In Even if, I fear God with wonder and adoration and love, a God who is the mightiest in power and gentleness.

In What if, I reveal what I want most, to never face suffering, pain, discomfort or something unsettling. In Even if, I reveal what I can want most and have: the presence, power and provision of God for me.

Let’s practice the shift.

Let’s be Even if people more often than What if people.

What if is where Satan, the enemy of your soul, thrives. Even if is where God, the sustainer and lover and satisfaction of your soul, becomes real to you.

Anniversary Trip

We had a really fun night away in Athens, GA to celebrate our anniversary. We happily ate too much, covered a variety of topics in conversation and enjoyed catching up with good friends. We enjoyed walking North Campus, remembering our first weekend in Athens as a dating couple, celebrating the wedding of a friend in November of 2012.