From “what if?” to “even if…”

It’s important to remember that your faith must be stronger than your fear.

I’ve always been an avid worrier. And I don’t just mean for myself. Nope—if you are experiencing something and aren’t worrying about the potential outcomes, don’t worry, I got you! I’ll worry enough for the both of us. My mother told me that when I was around three, I started questioning her about car accidents, and what would happen if we were to get into one. What three-year-old worries about car accidents? Me, that’s who. And still, at twenty-four, I find myself worrying about things often out of my control.

I think this year might be the worst it’s ever been before, due to personal circumstances, and other things happening in my life. As always, I’m going to advocate for journaling as an outlet to release your emotions. I always do. Recently, I’ve also begun experimenting with natural remedies for stress and anxiety, like ashwagandha supplements, and magnesium spray (Do your research, kids). But, a large part of dealing with anxiety, and worrying, is your mindset. A lot of my worrying stems from overthinking and overexerting my brain, consistently coming up with hypothetical situations and stressing about things that haven’t even happened yet...the “What ifs.”

What if I go out, and something happens to those I love? What if this new person doesn’t like me? What if I say the wrong thing in this job interview?

Yeah, that’s the type of thoughts I’m talking about. The ones that make you doubt yourself, but most importantly, your faith.

As I was making my vision board for 2024, I found this picture on Pinterest that said “what if = fear, EVEN if = faith,” and as a Christian woman, I couldn’t have pressed the download button faster. In order to stop my worrying, I need to change my mindset. I need to start changing my “what if” to “even if.”

Even if I go out, and something happens to my loved ones, we will get them help, they will be fine, we will get through it. Even if this person doesn’t like me, I like me, and I have friends that like me, and family that likes me. Even if I say the wrong thing during this job interview, I know that I tried my best, and I cannot change what has already happened. Whatever is for me, will always be for me.

Thinking about each and every one of my worries like this so far has changed my outlook on everything. Often times we speak so highly about our faith and our trust in God, but find ourselves worrying about things we can’t fix. We have to learn to have the faith we speak so highly about! And that doesn’t mean to stop worrying completely, believe me, that won’t happen for me. BUT, it means to allow your faith to be stronger than your fear.

It’s funny because, the day after I wrote this, my pastor had a whole sermon on having faith. His message was, “to walk with God, you have to have FAITH. It is a requirement.” I was moved after he explained further. He said having faith in God doesn’t mean to think bad things won’t happen in life, or circumstances won’t be bad, but to trust that God will get you through, even during those challenging circumstances, as long as you trust in him.

Isn’t it crazy how church speaks to you in the ways you need? So anyway, I had to come back and add this part because it lined up perfectly with this post.

For some inspirational reads, here are some Bible verses that can help you with your faith if you’re a worrier like me (Courtesy of Bible Study Tools):

Philippians 4:6-7: Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

1 Peter 5:6-7: Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

John 14:27: Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

2 Timothy 1:7: For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

Psalm 55:22: Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.

Philippians 4:6: Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

Hebrews 13:6: So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?”

Joshua 1:9: Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Matthew 6:34: “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

Proverbs 3:5-6: Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

A Prayer to Soothe an Anxious and Worried Heart: "Dear Lord, I thank you that I can come to You always for any reason. I’m grateful that when I pray to You, You answer me. Help me to come to You at the beginning of my fears and anxieties instead of waiting until I can’t stand them anymore. The quicker I come to You the better. You want to free me from ALL my fears. Help me look to You for help more often so that I can be radiant with Your joy. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen."

I hope this helps my anxious twenty-somethings.

Love,

Mia, the twenty something ♡ aka, another anxious twenty-something.

Song of the day 🎵