What if…?  This question can consume us, can’t it?  It can literally stop us in our tracks and paralyze us in fear.  It can be a dream crusher and a hope buster. And it’s a fairly common question that comes up as we consider BIG decisions in our lives.

In this election season alone, I would bet that many of us have asked ourselves this question more often than we care to admit.  I know I have.  When we’re faced with a decision, we can “what if” it to death.  And it’s interesting that what follows the “what if” usually has a negative spin to it.  What if Hillary Clinton becomes president?  What if Donald Trump is elected into office?    And each side says, “Can you imagine, he’ll….or she’ll…?”  You can watch the news, listen to the radio, pick up your phone, or log onto your computer and hear peoples’ opinions on who you should vote for and countless speculations on what will or will not happen if that particular candidate is elected.

We don’t know yet what the outcome of this presidential election will be and with one day left before we get a clearer sense of the results, I wanted to share something that I heard this weekend that I felt was worth sharing.  Our pastor’s message reminded me of what to keep top of mind when we’re facing difficult choices or decisions and we’re overwhelmed with “What if…” questions.

Living our lives in fear of what is to come is not a good look.  So what do we do?  If we call ourselves Christians, we must remember who Jesus is.  We have to think about the names for God.  And in doing so, find courage and hope.  It’s difficult to grasp because we tend to change like the wind.  On the other hand, Jesus is unchanging.  He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.  He is…

• God
• All powerful
• All knowing
• Almighty
• King of kings
• Lord of lords
• Our rescuer
• Our protector
• The beginning and the end
• The alpha and the omega
• Counselor
• Father of all
• Deliverer
• The Most High over all of the Earth
• Redeemer
• The Light
• The Holy One
• Messiah (The Chosen One)
• Light of the World
• Savior
• The Rock
• Good Shepard
• Everlasting
• Creator of the heavens and the earth
• The initiator and sustainer of our faith
• Immanuel (God is with us.)

The list of names for Jesus goes on and on.  It’s critical for you and I to remind ourselves that God is there.  In ever detail.  In every situation.   He’s present right there in the midst of our “What if…?” questions so we don’t need to fear.  This week, God already knows who’s going to be the next president of the United States and he wants you and I to know that it’s going to be ok.  Not because of who’s elected, but because of who he is.  And whose we are.  As sons and daughters of Christ, he is with us no matter what the outcome.  And not just with the presidential election, but with anything and everything we face.

So “what if” we asked ourselves these questions starting right now?  “What if” we really believed that God is who he says he is?  How could you and I begin to live differently?  What would we begin pursuing if we really started to own this?  What would we move  toward in faith instead of shy away from in fear?  “What if” we took time to reflect back and see how faithful God has been in the bible, in others’ lives, and in our own lives?  Let’s challenge ourselves to start ending our “what if” questions on a positive note.  And in doing so, “what if” we became a little more confident, more hopeful, more brave, more trusting, more calm, more assured, and more encouraged about our future?