Our "If Only's"

How easy it is to compare our lives to the lives of those around us... the seemingly picture-perfect lives of what is portrayed on social media where everyone seems to put their best foot forward and highlight the beautiful. No matter what season of life we are in, we can always find something in which to be discontent. What we lack, it seems everyone else has.

We think "if only" I had this, or didn't have this, I'd be satisfied in the fullest.

For me, it's "if only" I were married. "If only" Lily hadn't died. "If only" I had another child. "If only" I didn't have these health issues. "If only" the Lord would fill in some answers to my questions of my life and future.

What is your "if only?" Maybe "if only" you had this job, or that house, or were involved in that certain ministry. Maybe "if only" you had more kids, or less kids, more time, more money, a more thoughtful husband, parents who love the Lord.

Surrender your "if only's" to Jesus. Trust He sees and understands. And He withholds nothing good and nothing needed from your life. He holds our "if only's" and He is always enough.

As Corrie ten Boom said, "I had to surrender my "if only's" to Jesus."

Our "if only's" only point to the deepest desire and ache we have, that which only Christ can satisfy, for we were made for Him.

I know I can get caught up in comparing what the Lord has done in other people's lives verses mine. Nothing breeds self-pity, bitterness, and discontentment faster than comparison. If I start feeling jealous over what others have, am I trusting God's sovereignty in my own life? Am I doubting His perfect plan and wisdom?

I read this on the True Woman blog <--- (click to read the entire article, it's good!) and it convicted me big time: "If it is My will that she receives the blessing you wanted, what is that to you? If it is My will to write the story of your life completely differently than you wanted me to, what is that to you? If it is My will to say "yes" to him and "no" to you, what is that to you? You follow ME. Dear believer, you and I are called to one thing only - Jesus Himself. To love Him enough to follow Him... no matter what. As Much-Afraid finally came to see the Valley of Loss, "Right down in the depths of her own heart she really had but one passionate desire, not for the things which the Shepherd had promised, but for Himself. All she wanted was to be allowed to follow Him forever." Sometimes only valleys and deserts can teach us that." -Jeanne Harrison

Instead of looking to the right or left at what God is doing in the lives of those around us, I pray we look up and ask with expectancy what God wants to do in and through us.