The "What If" Road or the "He is" Road?

So many times in my life, I have looked out into the future (my first mistake) and wondered, "What if...?"

That is not necessarily a bad thing to do in general.  As a person with a planning-oriented personality, this thought process is particularly helpful.  I love it when my husband asks me if I have this or that, and I am not only sure I have the requested item, but I can also readily produce it.  But when "what if..." is accompanied by fear, then it is a very dangerous thing.

Without the Lord's intervention in our lives, none of us would enter into a fearful "what if..." without falling into despair.  There are too many things in our lives that can lead us to that road.

But, thank the Lord, if we have put our faith and trust in Jesus Christ, we are not without Him in any situation, at any time.  It is His promise He will be all we need - let me repeat that - He will be ALL we need, in every moment of our lives, if we trust Him to be so.  He has promised to provide for us, to comfort us, to sustain us, to strengthen us, and if necessary, to walk with us through the "valley of the shadow" of death.

Our first AT white blaze

Sometimes, when we have been backpacking, we have come to a spot where two trails cross each other.  Thankfully, on the Appalachian Trail, where most of our backpacking has occurred, the signs are clear which road to take.  If they were not, consulting a map can help us make the correct choice. 

In life, some moments put us at emotional and spiritual crossroads as well.  We have a choice.  We can follow the "What if" trail and find it to be a rugged, dark, steep, and rocky path.  Or we can choose the "He is" trail.  While still a difficult trail, the steepness is softened by His presence.  The rocks are cushioned with His love, the darkness is brightened by His Light, and the ruggedness is made easier by the softness of His heart.

Glen hiking up a mountain in Virginia

Just as in backpacking, when we find ourselves in those crossroad situations, we must consult our "map".  We must seek to know what the Scriptures say not so much about our trial, but about our "trail guide", who is with us always.  We must follow His leading and trust He will be all we need Him to be every step of the way.

"Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of My righteousness."  

Isaiah 41:10