There are many heartfelt ‘ifs’ in the Bible.
Jacob feared the unknown – he worried ‘if’ his other sons went to Egypt, he’d be left bereft. The sinfully grumpy and hungry Israelites doubted God’s care and cried out, ‘if’ only we had meat to eat. Job, in the middle of intense suffering, poured out his plaintive expression, ‘if’ my anguish could be weighed. There are many other examples besides. ‘Ifs’ come easily to the broken heart.
They are not just in Scripture. Many of us will have spoken one this week. If my spouse could be more understanding; if the church members would see things from my perspective; if my health could just be better; if my boss were a little kinder; if only I’d never met that person; if I just had a baby; if people would believe me; if only that person would repent so I could move on… In times of trial, ifs can flood our mind. They can dominate our every move.
