Recently, I walked into the gym wearing a sweatshirt with the words “even if” Daniel 3:18. I began pumping away on the elliptical, only to feel a tap on my shoulder. I removed my ear pods, so I could hear what the gentleman wanted to say to me.
He asked, “Can you tell me what that shirt means?”
I proceeded to explain that it is a story in the Bible about three men who lived their Godly values and refused to bow when asked to compromise. The men were about to be thrown to sure death in a fiery furnace. The actual event is recorded in Daniel chapter three.
“Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver usfrom Your Majesty’s hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” – Daniel 3:16-18
The man nodded his head, thanked me, and walked away.
I have no idea what impact the story had on the man’s life, but I was happy to share the Word of God. I was also happy to demonstrate the story by openly sharing my faith even if the man did not like the story.
The shirt is also a reminder to me, that even when walking with God, I will find myself in challenging circumstances. I want to live an “even if” Christian life. I want to be a woman who trusts God no matter what and walks in His peace and not in my panic.
On this earth, we are prone to worry, and prone to ask “what if” this happens? “What if” things do not turn around? “What if” nothing changes? God invites us to a life of supernatural peace that changes “what if” to “even if.” Remember that if your “what if” happens, God will bring you through it.
Join me in being an “even if” child of God. Stand with God “even if” you do not see healing manifested on this side of heaven. Stand with God “even if” you did not receive the job for which you applied. Stand with God “even if” persecuted for His sake. Stand with God “even if” that child is still living a wayward lifestyle. Stand with God “even if”.
Prayer: “Father, I know that in this life there will be times of testing. I ask You for miracles, but today I declare, “Even if” things do not happen as I desire, I will trust You. Thank You for Your presence that guides me through everything I face. I will not surrender to the fear of “what if” but I stand in the faith of “even if.” Amen.