In this encouraging message, Donna explores how the words “What if” can either trap us in fear or lead us into faith.

~Transcript Below~

A few weeks ago, my husband Tom and I were talking about our RV and how much we love it. He asked me, “What if we paint the walls and cabinets so it would be lighter inside?” Well, y’all, I got so excited. Off I went to the paint store for color samples.

That little conversation got me thinking about those two words: “What if.” They can be exciting words that open up new possibilities—but they can also carry the weight of what could have been.

It reminds me of the story in Genesis 18, where Abraham was negotiating with Abba about not destroying Sodom. He asked if God would spare the city if fifty righteous people were found there—and God agreed. Then Abraham asked, What if there were only 45? Again, God agreed. Abraham continued until he got all the way down to ten—and still, God agreed to spare it for ten righteous people. What if? What if? What if?

I’ve asked those words many times in my own life. What if my cousin hadn’t spilled his hot chocolate in the car and we didn’t have to stop and clean it up? Would we have been in the tragic accident that happened just five minutes before we arrived? What if I had made different decisions? What if I had rejected Abba as a small child—where would I be today? I shudder to think about the possibilities.

There are situations we all face that have the power to change the course of our lives. And in those moments, we need hope. We need faith. That’s where trust in Abba comes in—even when we feel afraid, even when the wall we have to climb seems higher than our faith.

But what if… we give up before He parts the sea for us? What if He’s swinging the door open to everything we’ve been praying and hoping for? What if the hard season we’re in is about to change—into something beautiful, unexpected, and good? What if Abba is just waiting for us to see how big He really is?

Romans 9:22–23 says:
“Now what if God, even though He was quite willing to demonstrate His anger and make known His power, patiently put up with people who deserved punishment and were ripe for destruction? What if He did this in order to make known the riches of His glory to those who are the objects of His mercy, whom He prepared in advance for glory?”

Our doubts and fears can be heavy chains that drag us down. But what if our fear doesn’t stop us from trying? What if we run through the door instead of hesitating at the threshold? What if we just keep praying and staying rooted in our Father’s Word?

I believe that our prayers of faith are all it takes to break through.

Hebrews 11:1 reminds us:
“Trusting is being confident of what we hope for, convinced about things we do not see.”

So today, I’m asking one final question:
What if… we just trust Him?

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About the Seeking Scripture Team: We are a group of believers from all walks of the faith, saved by grace alone through faith in our Messiah. While we are of one accord in many things, we are all works in progress and lifelong learners. Therefore the opinions of one may not always represent the opinions of all.

Donna McDaniel
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