The "What ifs".....

How many times have you heard people say well...what if it doesn't work out? What if I can't?

How many times have you heard yourself say what if?

The what ifs are usually loud within our mind...we don't normally say what if!? out loud...in fact there are many other ways to express the what ifs. 

WHAT IFs may sound like this:

I can't do it, it's too hard.

I'm afraid it won't work out the way I want it to.

You know it's good for you but you're too afraid to move forward.

You don't want to hurt people's feelings because you're a people pleaser.

You basically want control over the situation and it's causing you to stunt the potential growth in your life.

• What ifs show lack of positivity in your life.
• What ifs stunt your growth in life.
• What ifs can be unhealthy for your mind in the ways you're thinking and can take you into a downward spiral.
• What ifs can rob you of a bright future ahead. 

So, today I'm talking about "What ifs" because some of us do this unconsciously. We do this most when we're worried, when we want too much, too badly in some way or form. So it's important to look at the root cause of our situations. It took me years of hurt and growing to understand a lot in my life. I didn't learn things right away, I didn't learn without crying. In fact I chose to learn. I certainly had the choice to take the easy route and ignore all of my warning signs and completely could have prevented myself from growing and maturing. Now, it doesn't mean I no longer struggle in life, but it definitely helps the way I think when the negative thoughts arise. In fact, looking back, going through the motions instead of running from my life struggles has changed my life completely. You'll notice that life continues to throw lemons at us at any age, anywhere, anytime. So knowing that, we must learn how to take hold of our thoughts. We can have a thought, but we do not have to think it. As Max Lucado has said in one of his sermons. This is absolutely true! We all have thoughts, and if you're like me, you may have some stupid thoughts. This is part of being human. Nothing's wrong with you, you're just a normal healthy human being, but to dwell on that thought is to THINK. Thinking requires more energy and deeper mind activity. So obviously, if we dwell on a bad thought it can turn into all sorts of bads. Whatever you feed will grow, and that goes for monsters too.

Now on the other hand, when fear gets in the way of positive situations, the "what ifs" are like weeds that creep into the cracks of your mind to destroy you. Robbing you of sunshine and rich nutrients. So it is important to dwell on good thoughts, and seal up the cracks with positive reminders. If you only try to get rid of the negative thoughts and leave it empty without pouring in good thoughts, you will only experience a temporary fix. You need to spray weed killer on the weeds in order to really get rid of what's poisoning your garden. Only then, will you start to see your garden grow beautiful fruits and flowers.  It's the same thing with our minds. The mind is a powerful thing, I tell ya. It's a lot like a garden. What ifs can destroy good things in your life, such as future goals, saving money, going back to school, helping others, self care, saving your marriage, starting a business, accepting new opportunities, etc... If no one or anything in your life is getting hurt for your positive decisions, then get rid of the "what ifs." 

How would you be able to venture on knowing you're safe you ask? My secret to living life is really no secret at all. Now before I continue, I am no way perfect or close to it. I still have many things I struggle with and am working on them each living day of my life. I'll admit, the struggles have lessoned but they have not completely diminished, and I don't think they ever will. That goes for anybody, truthfully. Not in this world. The way I make life tolerable and continue to stride forward in security and ignore the "what ifs" is with our maker, Jesus Christ. Yes, the once bratty teenager that exclaimed "he isn't real", "he's a crutch for weak people", "how can I possibly love what I cannot see?" has been broken down and completely rebuilt inside and quite honestly is still in progress. I thought I was so brave in the big wide open world. Leaving home unplanned and getting married, pregnant with a son at the beginning adult (naive) age of 19. Taking no consideration of my poor mother's feelings. I thought I was completely done and equipped in knowing and learning life, I swore I thought I had it all figured out. NOT! Not even the slightest. I went through a whole lot after I left home. I had to learn how to trust God with my eyes closed while I walked on the tight rope of life. I learned how to say "okay" instead of "what if" to His ways and His words and let Him make the ultimate decisions for my life. I decided to walk by faith not by sight. Did I ever fall off of the rope? YES, I did, but every time I fell, I'd get right back up and try again, and you can too. ~ Please remember you are never alone in your battles. 

If you are Struggling with fear and the "what ifs" in life and need someone to talk to, we're here to listen and support you at support@fullfledgedfoundation.com ~