There is so much happening in the world that can easily make us feel anxious. You don’t even have to turn on the news. Simply opening your favorite social media app can expose you to countless stories, opinions, tragedies, and celebrations all within a matter of seconds. Before you know it, you’ve experienced a roller coaster of emotions and taken in more information than your mind was ever meant to process.
Even if you aren’t on social media, life itself can be overwhelming. An increased workload, financial challenges, health concerns, relationship struggles, or uncertainty about the future can all leave you feeling anxious. When we don’t know what will happen next, our minds often begin creating endless “what if” scenarios.
What if I lose my job?
What if I don’t have enough money?
What if the diagnosis is serious?
What if everything falls apart?
While it’s wise to prepare and make plans, there’s an important truth about “what if” situations: they haven’t happened yet. Many of the things we spend hours worrying about never actually occur. Anxiety has a way of convincing us that imagined problems deserve today’s energy.
The Bible offers a better response in Philippians 4:6-7:
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
God never tells us to carry every burden on our own. Instead, He invites us to bring every concern, every fear, and every unanswered question to Him in prayer. Rather than allowing anxiety to consume our thoughts, we can surrender our requests to God and trust Him with what we cannot control.
Recently, my pastor shared a perspective that has stayed with me. He reminded us that Jesus is seated at the right hand of God. He’s not pacing the floors of heaven. He’s not wringing His hands in worry. He’s not anxious about your future or mine.
If the King of Kings is seated in complete confidence because He knows the outcome, then perhaps we can stop pacing too.
That doesn’t mean life won’t be difficult or that challenges won’t come. It means we can rest in the One who is already there. We don’t have to carry tomorrow’s burdens today because God is already holding them.
So the next time your mind starts asking, “What if…?” answer it with God’s promises instead of your fears.
Release every anxious thought to Him. Trust Him with every unknown. Allow His peace to guard your heart and your mind.
Because the God who holds your future is not worried and neither do you have to be.