IF: A Tiny Word That Makes a Huge Impact
A lot of my inner monologue includes the word “if” if I’m being totally honest.
I often wonder “What if?” when things don’t go exactly my way. After all, it’s all too easy to see how things could have been, should have been “if only” different choices were made. And it’s easy to get wrapped up in those made-up scenarios, to get caught in that parallel world where my happiness is complete thanks to a change of circumstances.
I also tend to wallow in regret sometimes, chastising myself for decisions I made. It can be hard not to see how life could have been “if” I had made different choices. That tiny word can make my thoughts go in so many directions even when common sense tells me there isn’t a road that will lead me back to the past.
I find myself thinking about the future sometimes too. I wonder “if” this will happen or that will happen, considering what has to fall in place to ensure the outcome I desire. It can be thrilling one moment to imagine the possibilities of the blank face of the future before me and distressing the next when I understand how much is riding on decisions that not only I make but ones that are made by others as well.
I don’t think this world of “What if?” and “If only…” is one where I’m supposed to dwell though. I understand that I will pay it a visit from time to time, but it’s a tricky place that we all can get caught up in without a useful strategy in our back pocket. And it’s easy for me to remember to leave the “ifs” behind thanks to the Bible’s use of what I now call the “IF Strategy.”
Philippians 4-8 gives us a lovely list of things in this life to focus on. We are reminded of things that are true, are honest, are just, are pure, are lovely, are of good report, and of those things that contain virtue and lead us to praise. It is an overwhelmingly positive and comprehensive list. The verse is special because it includes “if” twice, both times used in a way that gives us zero wiggle room.
We are told that “…if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise…” then that is where our thought life needs to dwell.
Hmmm…I don’t see any “What if?” moments here. I don’t see any chance to wallow in “if only” or anything like that either. In fact, I don’t see an opportunity at all to entertain negative thoughts.
Now, I know what everyone is thinking. There are a lot of negatives in our personal lives, not to mention in the world around us. And I agree.
But this Bible verse isn’t denying any of that at all.
In fact, that tiny word “if” makes me understand that all the bad stuff in life that I tend to fret over is actually to be kind of expected. Life is full of both good and bad, and none of us can expect to live in such a way that the bad ceases to exist. But God has provided a way through tough times. He teaches us in this verse to shift our focus the smallest amount to let in the light of the abundance of goodness He has shared with us.
Let’s think about that incredible list again! Things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, and of good report sound like what I want to surround myself with. And I can.
Even during tough times.
All because of that two-letter word that follows the list.
When I am facing tough times and tempted to wonder how things could have been “if only” something or someone changed, my focus is on the negative. But what about the good part of the situation? If I look hard enough, there’s something. And that something is the “if” that God is instructing me to latch onto. He knows I need to keep my focus on the parts of my life that are virtuous and worthy of praise.
When my past starts to make me imagine a different path, one where my “if only” moments rear their ugly heads, I only have to think about how God uses everything for my good. A quick look at Romans 8:28 reminds me that even when things appear to be in an awful mess, God can make something good out of it. And that good is worthy of praise. Our God is too. Always.
My future is secure thanks to Jesus. He tells me in Isaiah 49:16 that He has me in the palm of His hand. When I completely focus on that fact, there really is no need for me to worry at all. Every “if” in my thought life has to drift away at that point because thoughts like that cannot coexist with the security of my salvation.
I wish I could say worry is a one-and-done type of deal with me, but it simply isn’t the case. And I think that’s why God added another tiny word to Philippians 4:8. That word “any” really stands out to me.
We all know that a completely dark room is impossible when the smallest source of light shows up. That illumination draws our attention toward it, making it impossible to be completely enveloped by the darkness. That word “any” illuminates the dark places of this world thanks to Philippians 4:8. There is always something virtuous to focus on or something to praise, even if it seems to be the most miniscule and seemingly irrelevant thing.
I’m thankful for the reminder of this wonderful verse.
When people don’t treat me exactly the way I want to be treated, I only need to look a little harder to find the smallest gesture of kindness to take away the sting of rejection.
When life is incredibly difficult, I only need to look around and notice the loveliness of God’s creation to remind me that He created me too.
This verse is one that I think we can use as a lens to set the focus for our day, every day.
Philippians 4:8- “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”
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