Living with “Even If” Faith in a “What If” World
Letting go of fear-filled questions and holding onto steadfast hope
I want an ‘even if’ faith in a ‘what if’ faith world. Today at church, my pastor talked about what it meant to have a ‘what if’ faith vs an ‘even if’ faith, and it made me think and reflect on which side of the coin I fall under, ‘what if’ or ‘even if’? You see a ‘what if’ faith carries fear–fear for things like “what if I’m financially unstable forever, or for me, what if I’m sick and disabled forever?” but ‘even if’ faith makes room for things like, even if i’m financially unstable or, even if i’m sick and disabled forever, I will still choose to follow and serve the Lord with my whole heart, soul and being.
I want to choose the ‘even if’ faith and trust that no matter what my life looks like, God’s got me, and He is 100% still worthy of my praise and my following Him.
An example of ‘even if’ faith in the Bible is the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who faced the blazing furnace. They were firm in their faith when Nebuchadnezzar summoned them and confronted them about not worshipping his gods. Because of this, Nebuchadnezzar threatened to throw them into a blazing furnace for their failure to conform. Their response was “If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” (Daniel 3:17-18)
Another example of ‘even if’ faith found in the Bible is the story and life of Job. Job faced suffering and immense loss—children, wealth, health—and facing God’s apparent judgment. But he says, “Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him;” (Job 13:15a)
There are many other instances of ‘even if’ faith sprinkled throughout the Bible, and I invite you to discover them yourself. I encourage you, like Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego, and Job, to pursue and ‘even if’ faith.
How can we pursue an ‘even if’ faith today?
You can start by shifting your focus from outcomes to God’s character.
Focus on His:
His nearness (Psalm 34:18)
His goodness (Psalm 119:68)
His sovereignty and wisdom (Romans 11:33)
His presence in suffering (Isaiah 43:2)
You can practice small acts of obedience, such as praying even when you feel unheard or opening Scripture even when your mind feels foggy. Release your need to feel in control of the outcome. Trust God with your story. And lastly, don’t be afraid to depend wholeheartedly on God in every aspect of your life.