@bethvogt
Most mornings I wake up and wander into the bathroom down the hall, step on to the small electronic scale, and start the morning off with a quick check of my weight.
Some mornings it’s an “all good” kind of day.
And some mornings it’s an “uh-oh” kind of day.
My reaction is directly related to my actions – my eating and exercise – during previous days. It’s as simple as that.
Over the years, I’ve also learned how much the two words “What if?” weigh.
Such a simple question, “What if?” But those two syllables? Those six letters? They weigh an emotional ton. Asking “What if?” weighs down my heart and mind just as if I’ve encased them in virtual cement.
- What if I things don’t go the way I want them to?
- What if I disappoint someone?
- What if I this job doesn’t work out?
- What if this problem doesn’t get solved – what if it only gets worse, not better?
- What if I can’t fix my friendship? My child? My marriage?
What if … what if … what if …
I wrestle with the words and always end up exhausted. And I never win.
Why?
Because asking “What if?” is trying to figure out not just this moment or today or tomorrow, which is difficult enough. “What if?” is taking on the future – every last bit of it.
And there’s no way we can bear the weight of all the unknown days ahead of us.
Some days it’s enough of a challenge to manage the circumstances staring us in the face. The communication breakdown with a loved one. The I’ll-never-catch-up work overload. The chronic pain. Even the joy-filled situations like planning a wedding or anticipating the birth of a long-awaited baby can sometimes seem too much.
When we face an unknown situation and ask “What if?” we burden ourselves with an untenable emotional load that settles, not on our shoulders, but on our hearts.
We reach into the future and concoct all sorts of possible answers – all of them imaginary. None of us can foretell the future, although at times we try.
The only way to avoid weighing ourselves down with “What ifs”? To determine to mentally stay in today.
“So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:34
It’s as simple – and as challenging – as that. We have to choose to ignore the “What ifs?” and stay in today, stay focused on our now, rather than pretending we know what the future holds for us, and overloading ourselves with all sorts of imagined anxieties.
We just don’t know.
Asking “What if?” leads us into the future one way: with worry. Let’s choose another road, shall we?
The Problem of Letting 'What If?' Lead Us Into Our Future http://bit.ly/2VPZS8P #worry #choices Click To Tweet 'Do not anticipate trouble, or worry about what may never happen. Keep in the sunlight.' Quote by Benjamin Franklin http://bit.ly/2VPZS8P #quotes #worry Click To Tweet
Comments 8
What if, when I start to weld,
something goes awry?
Gas and flame cannot be held,
and I blow myself sky-high?
What if people think my poems
some literary kind of crime,
greeting them with eye-roll moans,
and mocking every rhyme?
What if my well-honed fashion-sense
is out of step with style,
and my hard-judged recompense
is to walk couture’s Green Mile?
And bringing What If to a head,
what if Elvis is really dead?
Author
A beautiful “What if?” rendition, Andrew. Thank you for starting our conversation off just right. 🙂
A timely post, Beth. I’m staring down a huge temptation to “what if” today. While I have to actively veer off for this circumstance, I need my mind to stay on the straight path. I’ve missed too many todays. Given an opening, anxiety sticks closer than a brother, but is no friend.
Author
“…anxiety sticks closer than a brother, but is no friend.”
Truth, my friend. Honest truth.
Praying for you today.
Yes, Andrew’s poem is great.
Through the years I’ve (just about) learned that “what ifs” seldom happen but drain faith and energy. I try to stick with the day to day challenges that require facing and leave the rest to see if they really do develop into something that requires attention–or not. I love it best when the “what ifs” disappear entirely, which is often the case.
Author
Dee: Yes, we need to use our energy for today’s challenges, not expend it on the “what ifs?” that may or may not occur.
Well said Ms. Beth. Two words, “What If”, pack such power. They can both destroy or bring promise can’t they ma’am. two of my favorite words, I hope will replace my “what ifs” are “Even If.” I had a dear sister in Christ share these words with me a few weeks ago as she spoke about how her faith helped her fight through a cancer diagnosis and treatment. Understanding the “end game” can eliminate the “What If” times of our life. So enjoyed this ma’am. God’s blessings.
Author
J.D.: Hello, my friend. So happy to see you join the conversation here, and I also appreciate your insights. “Even if” — two beautiful words that can lift our spirits.