What if?... Fear often comes with “what ifs” and vain speculation about the future. One example from the Bible that comes to mind when I think of this is when Jesus told Peter about his certain death. On hearing this, Peter began wondering about how John would also die. Rather than join him in this future speculation, Jesus told him not to be concerned about John. Instead, He wanted Peter to focus on counting the cost of his service to Christ and trusting Him.
Jesus rarely foretold personal details, but when He did, it was always to prepare His followers for trials or to point them to the sovereignty of God. When Jesus predicted the hardships His disciples would go through for the sake of the Gospel as He was sending them out in Matthew 10, He exhorted them not to be afraid because He would be with them—to rescue, deliver, embolden, and give them the words they needed when they stood before rulers and councils. He explained that as the sovereign Lord He was in charge of even a sparrow falling to the ground and had numbered their very hairs, saying, “So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows” (Matthew 10:30–31).
The pattern of Jesus’ life and teaching was consistent with Scripture’s command not to look anxiously into tomorrow. He told the disciples, “Do not worry about tomorrow, what you will eat or drink, or what you will wear. Tomorrow has enough worries of its own” (Matthew 6:34). In a similar way, Paul in Philippians commands us: “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” (Philippians 4:6–7).
So why worry?
We are often lured into the “what ifs” by the desire to have a better understanding of what will happen. From the time we are young, we are taught problem-solving skills that help us plan for the future and avoid danger. We learn consequential thinking—“if this, then that”—to determine outcomes. We’re also taught to plan ahead, which requires some speculation about what might happen. In addition to this, we are wired in the flesh to seek to be in control, rather than to surrender our future to the Lord. By trying to predict what will happen, we fool ourselves into thinking that we are able, through reasoning, planning, and strategizing, to gain the wisdom and knowledge needed to shape our future. Instead, we often end up gripped by fear if our view of tomorrow looks bleak -- or clothed in pride if it looks promising.
While God commands us to be wise in planning for the future and exhorts us that a “wise man sees the danger and hides himself from it" (Proverbs 22:3), He never gives us license to either worry about or put our hope in our future circumstances. As we make diligent plans, we’re called to surrender them to Him and keep our hope in Christ, who alone knows our future.
How do we live in the tension of tomorrow without allowing “what ifs” to destroy our peace?
The apostle Paul leaves an example for us to follow when he acknowledges the brevity and uncertainty of his own future, declaring, “If I live, I live for Christ; if I die, I die for Christ. Whether I live or die, I belong to Christ.” Paul starts with the greatest point of anxiety—losing his very life—and makes a faith declaration that even in death, he is confident and at peace because he belongs to Christ. He recognizes that God alone has numbered his days.
Like Paul, once we settle the greatest “what if,” death itself, then we can move to the lesser “what ifs.” What if I have financial hardship? What if my health fails? What if my marriage doesn’t make it? What if my children aren’t healthy? Like Paul with life and death, we need to have a settled response for each of these based on our trust and confidence in the Father’s good plans for us and His promises.
The Bible makes it clear that “the secret things belong to the Lord” (Deuteronomy 29:29). When these questions come, we can answer: “I don’t know what will happen tomorrow, but God knows. He has gone before me, numbered my days, and promised that every hardship must first pass through His loving hands. He’s guaranteed that He’ll be with me, take care of me, give me wisdom, and strengthen me for every trial I face, giving me all that I need to flourish and live for His glory.”
We can take these “what ifs” and lay them at the foot of the cross under the promises of God, which is where they belong. As we see them in their rightful place under the kind jurisdiction of our loving Father, who tenderly cares for us, we are free to set our gaze on Christ and all of His promises.
Our Father has said that He’s come to give us an abundant life, overflowing with thankfulness and the fruit of the Spirit—among which are joy and peace. As Paul reminds us in Romans, they flow out of our lives as we trust in Christ—that He is who He says He is and will do all that He promises to do. When we trust Him and do this, we will find that every “what if” has its answer in Christ. As we rest in Him and His sovereign care, tomorrow’s uncertainties lose their power, and we are freed to live in His peace. “And the peace of God which passes all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7).
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27).
