What if?

Relax.

God has you exactly where He wants you.

This statement is easier for some to receive than others, as some find themselves in tough seasons.

Luke 2:36-38 tells the story of Anna. 3 verses. That is all we have. Following is a summary of Anna’s life.

Anna was married at about age 21. Her husband died 7 years later, and for the next approximately 60 years, Anna waited obediently for the return of Christ. She worshipped, fasted, and prayed daily at the Temple.

Anna would have all the reason in the world to lose hope or to be bitter, upset at the way her life had unfolded. She could have given up on her faith. Quit. Mailed it in.

But, there is no mention of bitter feelings or hopelessness, only an emphasis on obedience. She went to the Temple daily. Anna was looking forward, quietly, obediently waiting on the promised Christ.

There is no mention of “what if?” What if my husband was still alive? What if life had turned out differently? What if we had children?

Anna’s obedience and dedication seemed to evaporate any hopelessness that she felt. She didn’t live in the “what if’s.” She had hope.

The “what if’s” of life can kill joy. And, we all have them.

I saw a tattoo that read “no regrets,” but, the truth is, everyone has regrets. And, that is when the “what if’s” can wreak havoc. Bitterness reigns.

Sometimes, we have no control of past events that haunt us, like Anna. Life just happens. Death, sickness, you name it, can wreck the best plans. Again, “what if’s” wreak havoc on our hope.

The older you get, the more potential “what if’s” you have. “What if (fill in the blank).” We all have them.

It as if we long for the things that didn’t happen.

What a lesson we can learn from Anna. 

Whatever has happened was the will of God. At a minimum, God could have stopped the events, changed the circumstances.

Many times that is hard to reconcile, but we are called to press on, move forward.

“Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Philippians‬ ‭3‬:‭13‬-‭14‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Paul wrote these verses. If anyone had “what if’s,” it was Paul. He literally murdered and imprisoned followers of Jesus before Christ came to him.

But, he lived the words he wrote. Paul became the greatest missionary that ever lived, solely focused on following Jesus.

At the drop of a hat, everyone reading this can name things that they wished would have turned out differently or that they would have done differently in life. 

These thoughts, regrets, missed opportunities will always attempt to rob our hope, our joy.

But, grace fights these “what if’s.”

Recognize the grace of Jesus on your life. Give this same grace to others. And, importantly, give grace to yourself.

I suppose the mental fight will forever rage, but His promise is true. He is with us always. We can’t change the past, but He can change us.

And, He is greater than the “what if’s.”

Impact others. Live generously.