What Then

Interesting ~ I came across the following blog piece I wrote five years ago, but it’s still now.  Two small words are a big weight on our heart that can stop us in our tracks.  What if or What then?

Most of us don’t deal well with the unknown.  There was a time I wanted to see what was up ahead, until I got there.  Now I’m good to just wait it out. I don’t want to know. . . .

We’re wired to get anxious as social media (or imagination) feeds our head with everything of today posing a threat to our well-being.  And so, we get stuck in the what ifs concerning what concerns us – relationships, kids, finances, health, and the multi-countless-whatevers.

The Lord will perfect that which concerns me.  O Lord, your mercy endures forever.  Psalm 138

Maybe you’re afraid of what lies ahead, young or old friend – I get it.  I read an article awhile back that said the average high school kid has the same level of stress as a psych patient back in the 50s.  That’s probably true for those much younger considering what our children have endured these past years. And we cry out for protection for the children in the midst of guns and pandemics — wars in Ukraine and wars in the streets of Philly.  And we’re weighed down for them and with them . . .

Living life in any decade comes with anxiety but it doesn’t have to highjack our peace.

We can learn to talk ourselves off the ledge of angst, but empty platitudes won’t work that we’ve heard from well-meaning others.  “Everything happens for a reason” is rough to grasp when logic is blindsided.  Things happen that don’t make sense – to all of us.

We will never understand humanity ~ or Sovereignty.  And we all handle that one differently. So, when plagued with the what-ifs, I don’t have a for-you answer, only a for-me answer.

I rehearse the Word.  I walk in a 23^rd psalm green pasture and lie down with the Truth. I look to the all-knowing, all-seeing, all-powerful, infinitely good God of the universe who I believe can actually take care of my small space.  AND I watch reruns of Little House on the Prairie.  Seriously. 

Also I journal.  I’ve found there is something freeing in recording your crazies and realizing maybe that’s all it is.  I have pages filled with the what-ifs that became what-is.  And God was still good.  Awesomely so.

So I encourage you, there is something about climbing into the shelter of a loving Father’s lap that makes the liberating exchange of what-if to even-if and  be able to trust for what then . . .

The Lord is my shepherd therefore I have all that I need

He lets me rest so I have rest

He renews my strength so I have new strength

He is close beside me so I have His presence

He prepares a feast for me so I have daily bread

His goodness and unfailing love will pursue me so I have constant care.

A psalm of David