I don't know about you, but I'm guilty of "worst-case-scenario" thoughts. Before I take a risk or do something big, I have to know "the worst that could happen."
I'll give you an example. This happened to me today. Just a few minutes ago, actually.
I don't drive, so I took the bus to the library. I was walking home, and there's an older man on a golf cart who's pulled up to the curb. I don't think much about it. I'm just going to walk right past him and go home. No big deal.
He greets me as I pass. "Hello, dear. How are you?" (A lot of older people call me dear.) "I'm good. How are you?" "I'm good." I walk past him. I notice a cane in his golf cart. I'm on the corner about to turn onto my street when he calls out again. "Do you need some money?"
Okay. I'm going to interrupt myself. I was wearing a cute, but decent butterfly t-shirt, a modest knee-length jean skirt, and tennis shoes. I neither looked poor nor like a prostitute. Okay. Back to the story.
My gut reaction was to say "No thank you," over my shoulder and keep walking. Within a millisecond of his question, 3 thoughts went through my head: "What does he want?" "What strings are attached?" and "Don't trust him!" So, I went on my way - not as merry as I had been.
I had barely rounded the corner when a feeling of guilt overtook me and a thought entered my head: What if? Annoyed, I frowned. "What if what?" What if you'd said yes? Now sure that it was that still, small voice inside me that has always tried to lead me down God's path, I paused. Not literally. It was hot, and I wanted to get home.
What if I had said yes? I began to think frantically. A conversation I'd had with God just this morning entered my head. I had asked God to bless me financially because right now I don't have a job, and don't want to cause any more burden on my mother (who is kind enough to let me live with her right now) than I have to. Uh oh. Had I just said no to one of God's blessings? I'll never know.
Now, let's run the worst-case scenarios. What if I'd said yes and the man had told me I had to come with him somewhere else to get it? By the time he asked, I was already past him, and I had my running shoes on. I'd have politely said no, and moved away more quickly. What if he'd said I'd have to do something to get it? I'd have said no and moved on. What if he'd chased me with his golf cart!? AAAH! I was on the main street, and there are businesses and apartments on it. People would have seen it. Plus, I had a heavy bag full of books that I know how to swing. Just sayin'.
Okay. So, I may have just walked away from one of God's blessings because of fear, and lack of trust. In Sunday school, we're learning about trust, and had to rate certain groups of people. I rated God a 10/10, and people a 5/10. I was horribly wrong. Apparently I trust people 1/10, and God a 7/10. I need to work on that. Big time!
So, this experience taught me to trust God. Unfortunately, sometimes I have to learn the hard way to walk the walk even when I'm talking the talk. Instead of making decisions based on a worst-case scenario, make them based on a best-case scenario. Now, that doesn't mean everyone can be trusted, and absolutely NEVER go anywhere with someone you don't know!
What if I'd made the decision based on a best-case scenario? What if my knee-jerk reaction had been "Yes, actually, I do. How did you know?" What's the best that could have happened? He could have pulled out his wallet and given me a check for a million dollars! Or some such amount.
What if I just rejected one of God's blessings out of fear and distrust of an old man with a cane in a slow-moving golf cart?
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"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand" (Isaiah 41:10).
"The Lord is my light and my salvation--whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life--of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked advance against me to devour me, it is my enemies and my foes who will stumble and fall. Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then I will be confident" (Psalm 27:1-3).
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding" (Proverbs 3:5).
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