Stop worrying about what can go wrong and get excited about what can go right! ~Unknown.
We get so worked up over little things. The what ifs and the couldas and wouldas will break you down though. But what if you flipped those what ifs? What if — instead of entertaining the negative things that could, maybe, possibly go wrong — we replaced them with the things that could go right?
I’ll give you a minute to let that settle in because I can guarantee you that already today, you’ve had 10 thoughts about something going wrong. You’ve had as many thoughts about something good happening, but those thoughts got washed away and buried in the worry, anguish and fear of the bad stuff.
So let’s flip a few of your negatives into positives and see what happens!
What if the Bible is true?
If that’s the case, you not the scum of the earth and all those other things you tell yourself (or those things you think others are saying about you). If the Bible is true…
- You are more than a conqueror. Romans 8:37.
- You are the head and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath. Deuteronomy 28:13.
- God has plans for you, and you have a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11.
- God has given you a spirit of power, and of love and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7.
- You should not be fearful or afraid. God will be with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9.
What if you are good enough?
How many times have you said that to yourself? Probably not very often. Yeah, sure, there’s cocky and arrogant, but you’ve heard that “you’re no good” voice before you go into a meeting, a job interview, start that project or think about your dream. Right?
Flip the what if and start reminding yourself of all the positive things about yourself. Because, despite what you may think most of the time, you are good enough!
What if people don’t think that about you?
We’ve all been guilty of this one at one point. You just know that someone is talking bad about you, badmouthing you, right? And you just know that group thinks you’re no good for nothing. And you’ve heard that rumor from the people down the road or in church. Now that rumor has turned into fact — and you’ve embellished it — in your mind.
Fact of the matter is, they’re probably not thinking — or talking — about you at all, much less negatively! Scripture actually warns us not to think too highly of ourselves. That would include thinking someone is talking badly behind our backs when they actually aren’t saying anything at all.
And, on the flip side, what if those people are actually talking good about you? And, heaven forbid (note sarcasm), what if they actually like you?
What if you can do it?
Undoubtedly, you’ve already got a ready list of all the reasons you can’t do this or accomplish that. But what if you can do it? What if that thing won’t get done unless you do it? What if you do have the skills necessary? What if someone else needs what you can develop or invent? What if that plan you have does work?
What if God is waiting for you to take the first step and He’ll part the Red Sea for you? Remember: Everything you want is on the other side of fear. ~Jack Canfield.
What if your greatest fear isn’t even a thing?
Brady Boyd, my pastor at New Life Church, says: “Most of the bad things you fear happening in your life actually never happen.” Think about that! All the worrying, sleepless nights, angst all for naught!
You could have peace and contentment (not to mention sleep) in the place of the anxiety, uneasiness and misery.
Worry is like a rocking chair. It gives you something to do, but it will never get you anywhere. ~Ancient proverb.
So the next time you start to wonder what If…just flip it! And start thinking about what can go right instead of dwelling on what can go wrong!