So many times as I talk with those going through a challenging time I hear the question "What If". This prompted me to take a look at why we are trying to go back and "correct, re-do" what we think might have been mistakes made in choices and decisions. I love Oswald Chambers take on this for October 4. He says: THANK GOD FOR THE SIGHT OF ALL YOU HAVE NEVER YET BEEN. YOU HAVE HAD THE VISION, BUT YOU ARE NOT THERE YET... WE HAVE SEEN WHAT WE ARE NOT, AND WHAT GOD WANTS US TO BE, BUT ARE WE WILLING TO HAVE THE VISION "BETTER'D TO SHAPE AND USE" BY GOD? THE BATTERINGS ALWAYS COME IN COMMONPLACE WAYS AND THROUGH COMMONPLACE PEOPLE..."

FOLLOWING IS AN "ENCOURAGING EMAIL" WHICH I SENT OUT MONTHLY TO MANY ACROSS OUR NATION AND AROUND THE WORLD.

WHAT IF?

Down through the years I have heard these words over and over “what if”? As we take a look at our lives, we could all no doubt look back and say: “what if”.

What if I had married someone else?
What if I had listened to sound advice?
What if I had turned my life around sooner?
What if I had taken better care of myself?
What if I had gotten help earlier?
What if I hadn’t changed jobs?

On and on we could go, but STOP, let me encourage you that this is not Plan B for your life, it is Plan A.

There were many in the Bible who no doubt had this question: What about Mary & Martha, Job, Joseph’s brothers, Jonah, Sampson, Saul and David?

I want to encourage you today with these words:
“ GOD HAS A PLAN FOR YOUR LIFE AND HE IS USING ALL OF YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES TO MAKE YOU INTO THE PERSON HE HAS CALLED YOU TO BE”.

I like this quote: “IT’S NOT WHO YOU ARE THAT HOLDS YOU BACK, IT’S WHO YOU THINK YOU’RE NOT.” Author unknown.

James 1:2-5 “CONSIDER IT A SHEER GIFT, FRIENDS, WHEN TESTS AND CHALLENGES COME AT YOU FROM ALL SIDES. YOU KNOW THAT UNDER PRESSURE, YOUR FAITH-LIFE IS FORCED INTO THE OPEN AND SHOWS ITS TRUE COLORS. SO DON’T TRY TO GET OUT OF ANYTHING PREMATURELY. LET IT DO ITS WORK SOYOU BECOME MATURE AND WELL-DEVELOPED, NOT DEFICIENT IN ANY WAY. IF YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT YOU’RE DOING, PRAY TO THE FATHER, HE LOVES TO HELP.”

I Timothy 4:7-8 “DO NOT WASTE TIME ARGUING OVER GODLESS IDEAS AND OLD WIVES TALES. SPEND YOUR TIME AND ENERGY IN TRAINING YOURSELF FOR SPIRITUAL FITNESS. PHYSICAL EXERCISE HAS SOME VALUE, BUT SPIRITUAL EXERCISE IS MUCH MORE IMPORTANT, FOR IT PROMISES A REWARD IN BOTH THIS LIFE AND THE NEXT.”



Our Father in Heaven: My desire is to forget about the “what if’s” and strive toward the “now’s in my life”. I ask Your help and seek Your wisdom in putting the past behind and looking forward to Plan A in my life today. I know You have created me for such a time as this and I am tired of carrying this baggage around daily. You are my strength and power for this I am grateful. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.