Unless Otherwise Happens, Keep Believing

Until otherwise happens, I am going to keep believing. Why is it that we anticipate the worst? What if this happens? What if that happens? We live in a whirlwind and a constant state of “what-ifs.” But I propose: what if “it” never happens? What if the thing we have spent so much time worrying about never comes to pass, yet we have allowed ourselves to live worried, fearful, doubtful, and anxious over something that did not happen? Or what if we changed our perspective? What if, instead of expecting something bad to happen, we began asking: What if something good happens for me? What if I get the job? What if I make the dean’s list? What if I graduate with honors? What if we are approved for the house? What if my house sells today? What if I receive the investors tomorrow? What if I choose to believe that Father God is going to do exactly what He said He would do—even when it does not look like it is going to happen?

Now, that right there, that is powerful confidence. It is the same kind of confidence an innocent child has in their father—or in their parents in general. I know, you may be wondering where this week’s devotional came from, and I will tell you. I spend a lot of time talking with people, and there is one thing I have noticed that is common among many of us: We spend a lot of time talking about the what-ifs, but our what-ifs are often void of expectation.

When a child asks their parent for something, there is often a pure confidence that their parent will do it—without fail, whatever it takes. Of course, I am not talking about a 13-year-old asking for a car or announcing that they are ready to move out. You get my point. The request must make sense and be in alignment with what the parent knows is best for the child. But back to my point, what loving parent would not want to give their child something good? It is the same principle with Father God and us. He is not obligated to give us everything we ask for simply because we ask. However, we can trust that He hears us, loves us, knows what is best for us, and will answer according to His perfect will.

The other day, I asked myself, Why am I sometimes quicker to expect nothing than I am to expect my heavenly Father to bless me? I mean, after all, He wants what is best for me, right? He already has a plan for me—a plan that includes hope and a future. His intentions toward me are not to harm me. If that is true, then I should live with expectation because my life is in the hands of the One who knew me before He placed me in my mother’s womb.

That does not mean everything will happen exactly when or how I expect it to happen. It does not mean I will never experience disappointment, delay, or a closed door. It means that even when things do not happen according to my plan, I can continue believing that Father God remains faithful to His. And that is what matters: that’s Proverbs 3:5–6 in action.

Speaking of the scriptures, Hebrews 10:23 tells us to hold unswervingly to the hope we profess because the One who promised is faithful. To hold unswervingly means that we do not allow every delay, unanswered question, disappointing report, or changing circumstance to move us away from what we believe about God. We keep believing because He is faithful.

There, Jesus was challenging the doubt behind the words, “If You can.” The question was never whether Jesus had the ability. The question was whether the person asking could believe. Did you catch that? How many times have we approached Father God with the same uncertainty? Beginning our prayer like, Father, if You can open the door… If You can provide… If You can heal… If You can make a way… If You can fulfill what You promised… The issue is not whether He can. Because He, in fact, can. Our responsibility is to continue believing, trusting, praying, obeying, and holding on to hope—even when we cannot yet see what He is doing.

I want to encourage us to shift our perspective yet again. Instead of living in constant anticipation of what might go wrong, let us begin living in a place of great expectation. Let’s change our language to align with our Father… What if the door opens? What if the answer is yes? What if the opportunity comes? What if the promise is closer than it appears? What if the delay is not a denial? What if Father God is already working behind the scenes, arranging what we cannot yet see? We do not have to spend today fearing something that may never happen. We can choose to trust that Father God has our best interests at heart and that He is faithful to what He has promised.

Until something happens that tells me otherwise—and even when circumstances appear to tell me otherwise—I am going to keep believing. I will believe that Father God is faithful and that His intentions toward me are good. I will believe that what He has spoken will come to pass in “His” appointed time. I will hold “unswervingly” to the hope I profess because He who promised is faithful.

And this, my beloved ones, this is called faith. It is also called expectation, and it is called trusting Father God. Unless Otherwise Happens, I am going to Keep Believing!