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July 21, 2021

Even If

July 21, 2021 by HEIDI J. SMITH HOPE Expectations Purpose
Even If
“Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.”
Habakkuk 3:17-18

Have you ever had a time in your life when everything seemed to go wrong? It didn’t rain; it poured.


Maybe someone you cherished died, and the pain paralyzed you. Or a relationship crumbled, and you debated about how to fix it. Maybe loneliness, homesickness, or illness overwhelmed you. Or your ministry team struggled with unity, and you stressed how to solve it.


WHAT IF _____ happens, is there any hope?


In the past few years, it has seemed to “pour” in my life. My marriage suffered a rocky time, and we moved halfway around the world back to America. My grandma died, and my son seriously injured his eye. My world collapsed. 


I doubted, God, do you love me? Why are you allowing all these bad things to happen to me? WHAT IF other problems come? And they did.


My mom lost her battle with ALS, and my dad was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. My health deteriorated, and I battled depression. I sobbed to the Lord and searched my Bible for answers. The Word of God salved my bleeding heart. 


The people in Habakkuk 3 also weathered storms. Their crops fizzled, and their animals croaked. They wondered what they would eat. 


Their way of life differs from the concerns of our lives today, but the feelings of hopelessness and despair remain the same.


Two small words in verses 17 and 18 altered their thinking and mine. “EVEN IF all these things happen, YET we will rejoice in the Lord.” 


They said “EVEN IF” not “WHAT IF.” They chose to focus on the Lord rather than their circumstances.


I needed to look up. Why? Because my GOD is BIG and I am small. My God uttered words and created things out of nothing! My God loves me and rescued me from my sins! Nothing is impossible for Him! 


The “what ifs” consume us with uncertainty, but the “even ifs” breathe life to our weary souls. So when the storms of life come, anchor onto the Lord. Say “even if” this happens, I will yet hope in the Lord. 

Closing Prayer
Lord, thank you that you are my anchor. As the storms come into my life, You are not surprised or scared. You are omniscient and omnipotent. I can trust in You to help me. Help me to focus on You and not my circumstances. Help me to say “even if” this happens, I will hope in You. Amen.
Resources
Book: The Cross Centered Life by C.J. Mahaney
Book: You'll Get Through This by Max Lucado
Question for Reflection

1. What situation in your life seems overwhelming? 2. What or who is your source of strength? 3. What are you focusing on?

Comments
Heidi J. Smith
July 21, 2021

1. When my son injured his eye, I felt overwhelmed. I wondered why God would allow a young boy to suffer such an injury. I questioned God’s love to me and my family.
2. I tried to be strong myself and failed. It was only when I poured my heart out to the Lord and searched the Scriptures did I find true strength. I also found a friend to pray with weekly for our families.
3. For a while, I focused on his injury. Then I shifted and realized God’s plan is bigger than my understanding. I looked to the Lord to use this situation for His good and glory. It is only by daily renewing my mind on Scripture that I keep the proper perspective on God rather than my circumstances.