what if Archives - Lucy Ann Moll

What if Your WORST Fear Happens?

by Lucy | Sep 26, 2017 | biblical counseling, emotions, whole health wellness

What if…your worst fear actually comes to pass? Then what? Listed in our Heart2Heart Counselor Directory, biblical counselor Suzanne Holland gives real answers to scary questions and provides hope. Suzanne is a premier counselor. Her article appeared first here at BC4Women.org and is used with permission.

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“What if it’s cancer? How will we deal with that? I don’t want to leave my husband and children alone!”

“Or what if my car breaks down? I barely have enough money to cover my expenses! How will I get to work?

“And what if the pain gets worse? How will I cope with it? How will I function?”

All of these are legitimate questions asked by believers who are struggling to deal with a circumstance or eventuality that they feel ill-equipped for. There are so many things that can happen in this fallen world we live in. Many of them are pretty frightening.

As I read in Daniel 3 about Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, I felt certain that they were frightened of that furnace. Who wouldn’t be? Nebuchadnezzar had erected a gold statue and commanded all people to bow to it. These three young men knew they could not do that.

I can imagine what their conversation was like, as it became clear that their allegiance to the One True God would stir up the wrath of this powerful king. Maybe, they asked one another,

What if we can’t stand our ground?
What if we lose our nerve?
And if we do remain steadfast, how will we endure the furnace?
Where will we get the courage to finish well?

I don’t know for sure if this conversation or one like it took place. However, I am pretty sure it would if it were me and my friends! I would be afraid and anxious about it for sure, at least in my own strength. But these three young men clearly were not counting on their own strength to see them through. They were depending on their God. When they appeared before the king, they spoke these words:

O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you.

If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty.

But even if he doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up. (Daniel 3:16-18)

3 Crucial Convictions in Your “What If”

They express three important convictions in this passage. And we need to keep in mind as we face the “what ifs” of our lives.

1. Remember God Alone Has Ultimate Power

First, they express the fact that the king has no real power over them. In saying, “we don’t need to defend ourselves before you,” they are saying that he is not a threat. They know that the God they serve is far more powerful, and He will be their defender. They let the king know that they have complete confidence in God’s ability to save them out of that fire.

2. Know God Will Deliver You

Second, by fearlessly admitting the possibility that He may not save them in an earthly sense, they are letting the king know that they don’t fear death. Since they worship a God who is the master of eternity, they have a great hope of what lies on the other side of that furnace, should they perish there. In other words, they are telling him that, whether they live or whether they die, their God will deliver them from his hand.

3. God Alone Is Worthy of Worship

Finally, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego make it very clear to the king that nothing he does can ever make them worship any other god. No matter what he threatens, no matter how painful the consequence, they absolutely will not become idolaters.

Answers to Scary Questions

So, what’s the takeaway for us? How can we apply this passage to our what-ifs? Well, I would like to suggest that, instead of saying what-if-this or what-if-that, let’s change it up. Let’s replace “what if” with “even if.”

“Even if it’s cancer, I know that my God can rescue me from it. He can heal me of this cancer, but even if He doesn’t, He will deliver me. We will bring me to heaven, where there will be no more pain or suffering. I am trusting in Him. And I refuse to make restored health an idol. God has cared for my family all this time, and He will continue to do so, with or without me. I refuse to give in to worry.”

“Even if my car breaks down, I will not give into fear or panic. Jesus said that God cares so much for me that He has numbered every hair on my head. It is He who has provided for me up until now. Why should that change? I refuse to give in to fear.”

“Even if the pain gets worse, I will recognize that circumstances will always be changing, but my God never does. He is faithful no matter the severity of my pain or disability. Even if I can’t do the things I’ve always done, He will provide the help that I need. Or, He’ll remove the necessity of the task. I refuse to give in to panic about my pain.”

Think About It

What are the “what-ifs” of your life today, friend? Click & Tweet!

Are you fearful or worried about the future? Remember that fear can lead to idolatry if we do not take it captive. Bring those fears to the Lord, remembering His faithfulness and love. Then, proclaim to everyone you know the truth about your great God. Let them see that you will not bow down to the idols of worry and fear about earthly things.

As you go through the fiery trial, let them see Jesus going through it with you, just as King Nebuchadnezzar saw four men walking around in the fire when He had thrown in only three. That same confidence that led them through their fire will lead you through yours.

Even if…

Resources from Lucy

4 Keys to End “What If” Worry

by Lucy | Jun 25, 2015 | biblical counseling, emotions, relationships

Usually when you hear “what if,” the next words turn dark. . .and worry creeps near.

You’ve felt the creeping “what if” worry, haven’t you?

“What if . . .my husband loses his job?”

“What if. . .a monster molests my precious child?”

“What if. . .someone learns my secret?”

(What if. . .everyone — someone — listened and cared and help you overcome fear?)

“What if” worry is, dare I say, sinful fear. Sin is an ugly choice. It’s choosing to be self-reliant, not God-dependent. Apart from God you can do nothing. Linked arm in arm with God, you’ll do amazing.

Fear Is an F-Word!

When you or I say “what if” this happens or “what if” that happens, we become hostage of “what if” worry, a tool of Satan to destroy your dreams and to keep you from becoming whole. Do you want freedom from fear? Do you want to embrace a better way to live?

Our Lord Jesus has come to bring us abundant life, the apostle John tell us. Jesus is the “who” who can blot out your “what if’s.” Biblically speaking, “what if” worry not jibe in a Christian women’s life. It’s like curse word; it just sounds nicer than the “f-word.”

You may have thought, “What if I stress to the max and curl up in my bed, afraid to take the next step, to make the next phone call,” “What if I fail?”

Here’s my two cents, and if you know VeggieTales, sing it full out:

God is bigger than the boogie man.

He’s bigger than Godzilla and the monsters of TV.

God is bigger than the boogie man and he’s watching out for you and me.

One more time.

From Fear to Faith

God is watching out for you and me. The truth is, even if you mess up, God never sees you as loser. In the Lord Jesus Christ, you are a winner. You are a beautiful warrior.

When God looks at you, he is not angry with you or absent or business doing something else. He is Immanuel, God with us. God with you. Do you know this? Do you believe this?

What can you do when the “What if” monster wants to swallow you whole?

1. Remember that God does not give you the spirit of fear.

For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. 2 Timothy 1:7

Satan and his demons do. Fear is their playground of quicksand. Don’t do there. And if you are there, sinking fast, call on the name of Jesus. Just cry “Help,” and he will help you. This is his promise to you.

2. Ask for God’s wisdom. He promises to give his wisdom to everyone who asks.

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. James 1:5

3. Seek out counsel. Turn to your husband if you’re married, godly friends, trust-worthy family members all can help you with your worry. Do not go it alone. Do not isolate yourself. Wolves attack the lamb who is apart from the flock. Stick with the flock. Or you can counsel in person or by Skype with a biblical counselor including me.

4. After praying and seeking wise counsel, be willing to make the changes God wants you to make. For example, you may determine to trust God daily, even moment by moment, as you face your “what if’s.” Persevere. Be patient. Nothing you do is wasted.

Ruth’s Amazing Faith

Consider Ruth in the Bible. She was a Moabite. Her countrymen worshiped false idols. When her husband died, she was left childless. A widow. Destitute. Sounds like failure, right?

God took her good plan of being a wife to an Israelite and turned it into a better plan. She determined to follow her mother-in-law Naomi back to Israel, determining to leave sin behind and follow the one true God. Not only did God bless her with another husband, a godly man, but also a son.

Ruth became the great grandmother of David.

Had she got stuck in “What if?” – like. what if bandits attack Naomi and I die on the way to Israel and I am raped and die? – should would have missed out on God’s better plan.

What about you? Are you stuck in “What if?” God has a better plan to you. Ask him. Trust him. He listens.

What better plan does God have for you? Would you like to know? Contact me. We’ll walk together and find the answers.

Resources for You!

DOWNLOAD: Here’s a quiz to help you overcome fear.

photo credit: saikofish via photopin cc

Sharing Hope with Your Heart,

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