Fighting the “What Ifs” With Truth
Lately, I’ve been wrestling with the weight of anxiety—its relentless grip on my thoughts and emotions. For a long time, I didn’t realize that at the center of my anxiety was pride. Anxiety crept in when I placed myself at the center of my life, bearing weight I was never meant to carry. I wasn’t made to sit on that throne. It’s not mine—it’s His.
When God tells us to “cast our anxieties on Him,” it’s not just a command—it’s a result of something deeper. The real command is to humble ourselves under Him, to acknowledge our need for Him.
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your cares on Him, because He cares about you.” — 1 Peter 5:6-7
I’ve learned I can’t fight anxiety on my own. I need Him—desperately.
Our thoughts have power. When we aren’t intentional with them, worry sets in, creating an endless spiral of “what ifs”:
What if I fail?
What if I can’t keep going?
What if I’m not enough?
What if the worst happens?
These thoughts have consumed me more times than I can count. Maybe they’ve consumed you too. But here’s what I’m learning: when these lies come, I have a choice to fight them with God’s truth.
What if you believed this didn’t take God by surprise?
“Your eyes saw me when I was formless; all my days were written in Your book and planned before a single one of them began.” — Psalm 139:16
God knew you before you were born. He created you intentionally and lovingly. Nothing about your life catches Him off guard.
What if you believed He really does work all things together for your good?
“We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to His purpose.” — Romans 8:28
Even in the hardest moments, He is working. The suffering you face now pales in comparison to the glory He has planned for you.
What if you remembered He knows the plans He has for you—and they are good?
“‘For I know the plans I have for you’—this is the Lord’s declaration—‘plans for your well-being, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.’” — Jeremiah 29:11
What if you trusted in His everlasting love and goodness?
“I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore, I have continued to extend faithful love to you.” — Jeremiah 31:3
What if you remembered He has been faithful before and will be faithful again?
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” — Hebrews 13:8
What if you stopped listening to the lies and listened only to the voice of your Heavenly Father?
“Sanctify them by the truth; Your word is truth.” — John 17:17
The Apostle Paul challenges us in Philippians to replace anxiety with something better: rejoicing.
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” — Philippians 4:4, 6-7
Paul wrote this while sitting in a prison cell, surrounded by uncertainty and suffering. Yet his words reflect a deep joy and confidence in God. He chose to rejoice not after his circumstances changed but in the midst of them.
Paul understood something I am learning to embrace: rejoicing is an act of trust.
It says, “God, I believe You are in control.”
It declares, “You are good, even in this storm.”
It surrenders, “I lay down my fear and humbly trust You.”
To experience freedom from anxiety, I’ve realized I need to shift the responsibility for the outcomes to God. I can’t hold the future in my hands—but He can. Jesus’s words in Matthew 6 remind me that worry accomplishes nothing, while trust opens the door for His peace:
“Can any of you add one moment to his life span by worrying?… So don’t worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” — Matthew 6:27, 34
God is already at tomorrow; I am not.
The one thing God asks of me is to trust Him. I often want Him to show me the plan first, but He reminds me that trust comes first—then He will show me His faithfulness.
God has been walking with me on this journey of relinquishing anxiety and worry. He has shown me that exchanging fear for peace isn’t a one-time event; it’s a process. It’s a daily choice to:
Trust His sovereignty.
Surrender my fears.
Rejoice in His goodness.
The enemies I face today—the lies, the fears, the overwhelming “what ifs”—are the very testimonies I will share tomorrow.
“The enemies of today are the testimonies of tomorrow.”
Through this journey, my heart’s cry has been this:
“Lord, I trust You. I don’t need to see Your hand to believe You are at work. Even when I don’t understand, I will praise You in the storm. May the seeds of faith I plant today grow into a harvest for Your glory. Amen.”
If you’re wrestling with anxiety, know this: you don’t have to stay stuck. God is inviting you to exchange your worry for His peace, your pride for His presence, and your fear for His unshakable truth.
What if you believed that?
Trust Him. Rejoice in Him. He is sovereign, faithful, and good. And in His hands, you will find peace that surpasses all understanding. Let go, lean in, and trust Him.
