WHAT IF THEY...
May 19, 2022
“Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods.” – Psalm 40:4
Over the last couple of days, we have talked about fear. What are the things you fear the most? If you ask someone this question, at first, you will probably get some pretty common answers; heights, bugs, death… but if they really start to open up and tell you what they fear in their personal life, it is likely they will give you things that “might happen.”
This is what we talked about yesterday. See, people love to consider outcomes or scenarios they simulate in their heads. Then, they begin to worry if the outcome does not match what they desire. This will create fear or anxiety as they give more and more thought to what “might happen.”
And when someone considers what “might happen,” it often correlates with other people. Too many people worry about the actions of others. Their fears are filled with statements that begin with, “What if they…”
Have you ever started a phrase with that statement? “What if they…” The problem with this statement is, that you have no control over what “they” do. God never asked you or empowered you to control what “they” do. That is a miserable way to live, worrying about the decisions, actions, and consequences of someone else.
God does not expect you to control other people. You cannot control the decisions they make. You cannot control the actions they take. And you cannot control the consequences that follow them. I do not know what your fears are, but what I can tell you is that if any of them begin with this phrase, “What if they…” then you need to reconsider what you are fearful of.
God does not want you to spend time worrying about something that is not in your control. If you find yourself worrying about what they will do or what they will choose, take it to Him about it. Spend time in prayer. But do not consume yourself with something so clearly and utterly outside of your control. Let God worry about them, and place your focus, attention, and praise in His direction!
“Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods.” – Psalm 40:4
Over the last couple of days, we have talked about fear. What are the things you fear the most? If you ask someone this question, at first, you will probably get some pretty common answers; heights, bugs, death… but if they really start to open up and tell you what they fear in their personal life, it is likely they will give you things that “might happen.”
This is what we talked about yesterday. See, people love to consider outcomes or scenarios they simulate in their heads. Then, they begin to worry if the outcome does not match what they desire. This will create fear or anxiety as they give more and more thought to what “might happen.”
And when someone considers what “might happen,” it often correlates with other people. Too many people worry about the actions of others. Their fears are filled with statements that begin with, “What if they…”
Have you ever started a phrase with that statement? “What if they…” The problem with this statement is, that you have no control over what “they” do. God never asked you or empowered you to control what “they” do. That is a miserable way to live, worrying about the decisions, actions, and consequences of someone else.
God does not expect you to control other people. You cannot control the decisions they make. You cannot control the actions they take. And you cannot control the consequences that follow them. I do not know what your fears are, but what I can tell you is that if any of them begin with this phrase, “What if they…” then you need to reconsider what you are fearful of.
God does not want you to spend time worrying about something that is not in your control. If you find yourself worrying about what they will do or what they will choose, take it to Him about it. Spend time in prayer. But do not consume yourself with something so clearly and utterly outside of your control. Let God worry about them, and place your focus, attention, and praise in His direction!
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