Wellness Wednesday: Replace “What If” with “Even If”

Anxiety loves to whisper “what if.”

What if I fail?

What if they don’t like me?

What if it all falls apart?

That tiny phrase can spiral us into endless scenarios that haven’t even happened. Our bodies react as if every imagined disaster is already real—heart racing, muscles tense, breath shallow. I’ve spent more than a few nights stuck in those loops.

But something shifts when we replace “what if” with “even if.”

Even if it doesn’t go how I hoped, God will still be with me.

Even if this relationship ends, I’ll still be okay.

Even if the door closes, another one will open.

The truth is, “what if” fuels fear, but “even if” builds faith. It grounds us in resilience and rewires our brain toward peace instead of panic. It doesn’t deny uncertainty—it just refuses to let fear have the final word.

Try This

1. Catch the Phrase: Notice every time your mind starts a sentence with “what if.” Awareness is the first step toward rewiring.

2. Flip It: Replace it immediately with “even if” and finish the sentence with something grounded in truth or faith.

3. Anchor in Evidence: Write down a few times when things didn’t go as planned, but you still made it through. Let your past resilience remind your nervous system—you’ve done hard things before, and you can again.

Inviting God

When your thoughts start racing, pause and pray:“Even if it all changes, You don’t.”As Scripture says, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1 NIV)Let even if become your declaration of trust.

Let’s Connect

Leave a comment or reach out to me via the website—let’s talk about how this has sparked your desire for better living. I’ll see you back here tomorrow for Think Better Thursday. And don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss future posts.

If today’s message spoke to you, you’ll love my book My Pocket Counselor—it offers perspective-shifting truth and faith-filled guidance to help you grow emotionally and spiritually, one step at a time.