What if the BEST happens?

I got to hear Michelle Poler speak at the doTERRA convention in Salt Lake City. What I heard was inspiring and amazing. She said something that caught me right in between doubt and justifications.

She said this: “We always ask what’s the worst that could happen. That leads to a series of things that really could go wrong and seizes us up even more. But what instead if we replace that. Instead of asking “What’s the worst that could happen?” we ask this: “What’s the best that could happen?”’

The blinking cursor distracts me from whatever thought I was about to write a minute ago. I’ve started and stopped so many times. This is my 38th “untitled” attempt to start writing something. It’s not writer’s block so much as it is “writer’s fear.”

I have ideas and inspiration and I feel passionate about what I want to write. Yet, just seconds before I start to type I hear: “What if…”

“What if I write something I’ve already written about? Should I go back and cross-reference?” What if I don’t make my point and just ramble on forever, what if it’s just awful…what if I never write anything good again and this becomes a “look at me diary”?”

All of those questions are just waves. If I spend my time answering them I’m going to choke and sputter on the water I take in. I can’t anticipate the waves and keep my eyes on the Father.

And look I’ve already written 200 words anyway. Take that fear.

Each and every day I will face things that I don’t want to do. Sometimes I will face giants and sometimes mundane tasks. I will have opportunities to brag about what I’m doing, or to quietly serve someone around me. What matters is the choice and my attitude.

Joseph didn’t change who he was because of who he was around. He trusted the Lord to go before him and work everything out.

His brothers rejected him because of his dreams and his favored position; so much so that his they sold him into slavery at only 17. He ended up in prison with two of Pharaoh’s people: the cup-bearer and the baker. They had dreams one night and Joseph interpreted them giving the glory to God. Just as Joseph had said the baker was put to death and the cup-bearer spared. The cup-bearer was so impressed with the dream interpretation and promised to remember Joseph.

It was a full two years before he did.

But God.

God used everything. The cup-bearer thought of Joseph when the Pharaoh had a dream. Just like that Joseph went from prisoner to overseer of Pharaoh’s household.

Circumstances changed all around Joseph, but fearful or not he was obedient and trusted the Lord in the waiting. And everything worked out for his good.

What if Joseph had been too afraid to share the dream interpretation? After all he told the baker he would be impaled!

If I let fear stop me I may never know the blessings I miss out on. Stepping out brave and trusting God to go before me is at times unnerving. But I don’t know what He is doing, or what He is teaching me.

Today in place of the blank page, I’m going to learn to step out instead of hesitate. To walk forward into the unknown through fear…despite fear. Doing it afraid because obedience matters.

So what is it that you are afraid of? What are the “what ifs” that hold you back in the corner afraid to shine your light?

How about this…

What if what I write lets someone know they are not alone.

What if my posting about fear leads someone else to do something amazing?

What if I say something that God uses to plant a seed?

What if my obedience is a light on something good?

What if your words call to someone in the dark?

What if your “reckless kindness” is just the thing to give someone hope?

What if your lack of response shows the compassion someone needs to feel loved?

And don’t worry. The enemy will keep trying. In fact the harder it is for you to push into what you know God is calling you to; the more confirmation that the enemy is intimidated by you.

Yes you and me. Because words matter. Obedience matters.

Even as I write this and declare my intent to move past fear the enemy has changed tactics. The whisper on the white page has gone from: “You can’t” to “Who do you think you are?”

So even if these are practice words, meant to hold a place on my page for more important words later…I will write them. In obedience and trust that God will use them. To reach someone, or even me.

I will write them even when the thing I am fighting has moved on to degrading the work: “It’s just a stupid blog post anyway.”

That’s not God’s voice or mine.

Here’s a question:

What is it about a “stupid blog post” that bothers you so much devil?