TWO DREADED WORDS
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I’ve come to realize a majority of people are influenced by two very powerful words in this world. The words have zero to do with our current reality. In truth, the two words are very wise when spoken in a proper perspective. The words can save time, money, friendships, relationships, even lives.
It’s the two words spoken audibly or inside of ourselves with an emotion of overreaching fear that begins to cripple and damage lives. I think most of us are guilty of using the two powerful words with a wrong mindset, maybe quite often.
I try to have at least a couple weeks of blog posts ready to publish. I can get really busy with work and life, so as a good steward I need to be prepared.
Then there’s the other side of the equation. The innate fear inside my belly… The ugly truth behind the good stewardship on occasion. Sure the positive side is in my mind, but also the weak, human side. The side that is poison in our souls.
When I think of it, it always starts with the two words. The two words that send slight electrical currents through my stomach. Pure poison, anxiety, and stress…
These two dreaded words are, “What if”? – “What if I go completely dry and don’t have anything to write”? – “What if I get writer’s block”? It doesn’t matter that I may or may not be a competent writer, that’s not the issue. All this over something that doesn’t even help feed my family? Can you imagine the Lala land I can deliver my mind into about other matters?
The issue is that fear, on whatever level, is unhealthy. There is no honor when the words “what if” bring about fear. I get the fact that all humans live with fear – I think a certain amount of fear is healthy. It will for sure keep us alive longer!
When the words “what if” bring about prayer, wisdom, and action, it brings God honor. When the words “what if” bring about white knuckle terror within us, we’ve lost the battle for our heart to the world and the masters of this world.
“What if we can’t afford the things we have”? – “What if this trip to the doctor is horrific news”? – “What if Junior ends up in jail”? I think these are fine questions to ask ourselves. It is the emotion or condition of our heart that tell the story, and only what’s inside each and every one of us God and us know.
It is the flesh that fools and traps us… It is the illusion that we have significant control that deceives us… To be able to live free from the fear inside us that the two words; “what if” conjure up, is to understand our rightful place in this world and God’s cosmos.
I believe the paradigm shift that occurs in the mind regarding our transition from fear to peace within, is really God’s miracle in our heart.
I’m not setting myself up as an expert, but I can testify to the power of God over my fears in this flesh. God has changed the way my brain perceives things in my life. I will have trouble in this life, that’s a given, but to truly know in brain, heart, and spirit that God will be there to see us through our “Valley of the shadow of death,” is a bonafide miracle.
If God has allowed something in our lives, it has a purpose. We are called to trust and learn in order to be prepared for whatever purpose God will have in our future to honor Him and in so doing, honor our families and ourselves.
Are we really so full of ourselves that we believe God needs us to worry for Him or ourselves?
Has worrying solved one single thing?
Didn’t Jesus Christ ask, “How can worrying add one day to your life”?
So here it is, the two-dollar question, “Is your biggest fear, standing next to God, bigger than He is”?
Thursday, September 22, 2011 @ 11:48 pm
I love this. The words “what if” have so much power. “What if this never resolves?” “What if it gets worse?”
But they also carry a lot of positive power, too, if we dare to hope. “What if God moves in some crazy, miraculous way?” “What if God reveals himself to me in a way that he’s never done before?”
God is bigger than my biggest fear. Or, as Veggie Tales puts it, “God is bigger than the boogie man!” Amen, and amen. WHAT IF we actually believed that?
Friday, September 23, 2011 @ 7:30 am
Great question Jo, if we as Christians really started to believe in truth that would change the world one person at a time. We all get to caught up in this dimension that we’re trapped in and forget God rules all dimensions. Nothing is beyond His control. Thanks!
Friday, September 23, 2011 @ 4:06 pm
I’ve been a worrier most of my life, Floyd. I am reminded to be “anxious for nothing,” but it is a constant effort not to fret. When we consider how the Lord is aware of the smallest sparrow and how He has been faithful from the beginning of time, it seems silly to worry. Like you said, it doesn’t change anything…if it did, I wouldn’t be 5’2″. Oy! The other aspect of “what if” for a writer is in the areal of fiction. In that case, it’s profitable to ask, “what if.” The imagination is a wonderful gift from God when used in the right way. Thanks, Floyd, for the good thoughts and gentle reminder.
Friday, September 23, 2011 @ 8:15 pm
Thanks Effie. Great point about how the words “what if” can be the very gift from God if used in the right perspective.
(I think you look taller than 5’2″ if it’s any consolation}!
Friday, September 23, 2011 @ 8:18 pm
Oh, and by the way, I love your new blog and I can’t think of a better name than http://www.kilroywashereusa.wordpress.com/. I hope some of the other readers will check out your new blog! It’s worth the trip.
Friday, September 23, 2011 @ 6:34 pm
You have some great thoughts here! Some times those words are worry-some and Yes, there are other times we can use those words for our advantage, especially as we write fiction.
Those words have haunted me at times, when I have posted all of my stash and wondered, “What if there is nothing else to write about?” Then I heard a still small voice, – go ahead and post what you have, AND I will give you more. So far, God has been faithful. Memories that were buried and also daily happenings have so far kept me going. There are times when I ask God, “What do you want me to say next?”
So far so good.
Friday, September 23, 2011 @ 8:20 pm
I’ll say! You are a fountain overflowing with inspiration from the very hand of God! You are a huge blessing to so many people. You need to write that book! I’ll be first in line to get a signed copy…
Friday, September 23, 2011 @ 9:53 pm
Dear precious Floyd, when you get as old as I am you no longer say “what if?” but, “so what?” “I know the plans I have for you, “declares the Lord”, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11. I live by that now. When I was younger I used to have knots in my stomach from worrying. Sometimes I didn’t even know what I was worrying about, but I thought there must be something. I’M GLAD I GOT OLD. : )
By the way, I have more ideas to write about than I could ever put to pen. Want some? : )
Saturday, September 24, 2011 @ 9:59 am
Thank you Lenna for the tremendous words of wisdom. In a world that doesn’t embrace the wisdom that comes with age, I’m honored to learn more of what it means to honor God with our lives through your example. And… You’ve already given me plenty of ideas, I think I’ll start with this one….
Saturday, September 24, 2011 @ 1:04 am
Well, I loved this.
I am not particularly a worrier… however, I think we can all get caught in the “what if” trap all too often. You are right that there is a purpose behind all we go through… if only we could see the big picture! ha!
Anyway, thanks for the reminder that God is bigger than anything I have to face… 🙂
Saturday, September 24, 2011 @ 10:02 am
Thanks Deb, I think we all need a reminder from time to time, me probably more than most. The big picture I think is Him… If we could be more effective at looking and searching for HIm, everything else would be a whole lot easier…
Monday, September 26, 2011 @ 4:36 pm
…added to the “what if” is “If only”. I think it sets people up for failure as they are looking to themselves rather that to the Creator and His strength and supply. We tend to exchange the Truth for a lie at the drop of a hat. Some things just don’t need to be considered except in the Light of God’s precious Word. Good post! Thank God for his miracle in your life…..and in mine!
Monday, September 26, 2011 @ 5:26 pm
Amen! I’m thankful as well! That’s a great point. Those other two words, “if only” are limiting on not only ourselves, but God himself. How can we put limits on the LImitless? That is a tremendous observation, we all fall guilty to that one at time. Thanks Nancy.
Tuesday, September 27, 2011 @ 9:01 am
I’m convinced the what if fears are used by the enemy to discourage us. Now if I can just remember that when they begin to set it.
Tuesday, September 27, 2011 @ 3:54 pm
I hear you! I’m beginning to picture what ever it is that’s causing me doubt and fear, and picture it next to God who sustains the very life of all things right now, nothing compares. That’s my new act of reality.