I heard something today that made a lot of sense. Fear is when you say, “What if,” but faith says, “Even if.”

That is more than just a difference of semantics. That is an entire paradigm shift. That is a completely different outlook.

Fear puts conditions. What if my child dies? What if I lose my job? What if my marriage ends? I don’t know what I’ll do then.

Faith says, “Even if my child dies or I lose my job or my marriage ends, I will still believe.” I may not have all the answers then, but I know who I will trust.

Faith puts no conditions on God. Faith says, “I will trust, no matter what. Even if my worst case scenario comes to pass, I know God will still love me and still be faithful to me and will still work all things for my good and His glory.

I love the MercyMe song “Even If” written by MercyMe’s frontman Bart Millard after his son was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes:

“I know You’re able and I know You can
Save through the fire with Your mighty hand
But even if You don’t
My hope is You alone” (Bart Millard / Ben Glover / Crystal Lewis / David Garcia / Tim Timmons).