What If?

A new year has just rolled in and you may be struggling with making new year’s resolutions. Making resolutions can cause stress because statistics support that resolutions usually fail. Our intentions are great and full of confidence, but then…. life happens and things do not go the way you planned.

A new year can be the beginning of a new you! If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV). How exciting to know that you do not have to live in the past, but you can move forward as a new child of the King! It is as simple as asking God to be your Lord. Confess you are a sinner and that you need Him. Then learn as much as you can about God’s grace, mercy, and daily provision.

Millions of dollars are spent every year to learn the secret to success. Opening the Bible gives you the secret and it is FREE! Accept Him. Believe in Him. Abide in Him. Jeremiah 29:11 tells us the “He knows the plans He has for you, plans for prosperity and not evil, giving you a future of hope. We just must put off our old self and trust God daily for His abundant provision.

How do you define need and want? Want is something that you would like to have but do not necessarily need, like that new boat or car you desire. A need is something that you must have to survive, like water, shelter, and food. Romans 8:28 tells us that we know through God’s promises that “all things work together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purpose.”  His divine plan provides all we NEED. Our relationship with Him allows Him to know the desires of our heart. Psalm 37:4 tells us to delight ourselves in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.

Do you still have to work? Yes. Do you still have to pay bills? Yes. Do you still have to make a schedule of things that have to be done? Yes. The secret to success is to trust God, one day at a time. Jesus preached that we should not worry about tomorrow because tomorrow will take care of itself (Matthew 6:34).

To make it simple, believe in God, love Him, do good, and serve others. That is what God calls us to do. Psalm 34:14-15 tells us that we must depart from evil and do good. Seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and His ears are open to their cry.

What about when things go bad? Trust God even more so. Life happens and things do not always work out the way we planned. That is the problem, “we planned.”  And sometimes, terrible things happen and we do not understand. Genesis 50:20 reminds us of that evil happens and is meant for bad, God makes it for good, bringing us through situations that make us so much stronger, on the other side.

Anxiety rushes in when those resolutions fail or sad things happen when we are trying so hard to do good. Stop. Take a deep breath and whisper the name of Jesus. He hears us, right where we are. He hears every prayer and counts every tear.

Think about the song “What If” by Consumed with Fire. Click on the link below and listen to the words.

by Consumed by Fire

I do not own the rights to the music or video.

Ponder these words in your heart. Do not give up on this side of your miracle. What if your season of waiting leads to something greater than you prayed for? Do not let fear stop you from trying.

What is your what if? Doubts and fears will hold you down, but the prayer of faith is all it takes for the breakthrough. Do not let the devil try to remind you of your past and do not get stuck by what you see. Walk by faith. Trust Him. Trust His plan. Trust His timing. Thinking like that will change your whole perspective this new year of “what ifs.”   Remember, you serve a BIG God who can do the impossible!