Locations & Times

"Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see." — Hebrews 11:1

Driving home from work recently, I heard a radio DJ (yes, I still listen to the local radio) pose an interesting question: “What if we changed the perspective of the question ‘what if’?” At first, I wasn’t sure what he meant, but as he kept talking, it started to click. He said we all ask ourselves “what if,” but too often with fear, worry, or regret:

• What if I fail?
• What if things don’t work out?
• What if I go to that event and no one talks to me?
• What if I embarrass myself?

Then he flipped the script: “What if we started asking ‘what if’ with hope, faith, and the belief that God could show up in unimaginable ways?”

That thought stuck with me. Have you ever had something like that—a simple comment that lingers in your mind? By the time I pulled into my driveway, I couldn’t stop thinking about it. 

As someone who wrestles with letting the opinions of others shape how I see myself, I started asking my own “what ifs”:

• What if I don’t fail but succeed?
• What if things do work out?
• What if stepping out in faith leads to something far better than I imagined?

That’s when it hit me: what if we all reframed our “what ifs”? What if, like Hebrews 11:1 describes, we approached the unknown with confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see? What if we trusted God to meet us in our uncertainty, believing He is bigger than our doubts?

What If…

What if you went to that event and ended up having the time of your life?
What if, instead of sitting in doubt, you found joy waiting for you on the other side?

What if your marriage didn’t just survive but thrived—not because it was easy, but because you chose to be the spouse God calls you to be?

What if loving sacrificially and forgiving generously brought peace and joy you didn’t think was possible?

What if you applied for that job you’ve been hesitating about?
What if it turned out to be exactly where God wanted you—a place where your gifts are celebrated, and your work feels meaningful?

What if you pursued that degree or training, even if it felt scary?
What if God met you in that step of faith and opened doors you didn’t even know were there?

What if you had that hard conversation with your son or daughter—the one you’ve been avoiding out of fear?
What if it brought you closer and began the healing you both need?

What if you finally talked to that neighbor you’ve been meaning to connect with?
What if it turned into a friendship that encouraged you both in ways only God could design?

What if you trusted God to create room in your busy life and said yes to leading that small group or volunteering in that ministry?
What if that step brought growth and blessings you couldn’t imagine?

What if you went to that party, you were hesitant about and found laughter and connection waiting for you there?
What if the community was on the other side of your “yes”?

What if we had Faith?

Hebrews 11 is often called the “Faith Hall of Fame,” filled with stories of people who dared to ask, “What if?” Abraham left his home. Moses confronted Pharaoh. Sarah trusted God for the impossible. Their “what ifs” weren’t grounded in fear but hope and trust in a God who always shows up.

Our “what ifs” don’t have to lean into doubt and fear. What if we let them point us toward hope instead? What if we believed the same God who worked in their lives is ready to work in ours?

So, what if today, you shifted your perspective? What if you dared to pray, forgive, dream, act, and believe that God’s plans for you are good—even in the unknown? 

The only way to find out is to take that step.

What if you did?