What If and If Only

Have you ever played the "What if/If only" game? You know, it's where you say, "What if I had a bottomless bank account and money was no longer an issue." "If only I could regain my health, I could accomplish so much more for the Lord." You know that game, right? I'm sure we've all played it once or twice. Little do we realize what a dangerous game it is. Thoughts like that tend to breed discontentment, and in turn, discontentment leads to ungratefulness, discouragement, and disappointment. Besides, how do we know that things would be better if our "what ifs" came true. They didn't for Solomon.

Solomon, king of Israel. The wealthiest man in the world. The wisest man in the world. He had it all--fortune, fame, family. He had the opportunity to do great things. He had the time. He had the means. He even had the desire. But he also had a weakness: women. With 700 wives and 300 concubines, Solomon had his hands full. Not only is it unwise to have this many women in one home (imagine the drama), it was forbidden by God, for Solomon had taken wives from other lands. God had commanded that this shouldn't be done because in His wisdom, He knew those wives would turn Solomon's heart away from the true God. Guess what? He was right.

Solomon, the man who had it all, turned his back on God. The God who had given him wisdom. The God who had blessed him with riches. The God who had granted him a peaceful reign. Evidently, despite all he had, Solomon still had some "what ifs" and "if onlys," and they got him into big trouble. As a result, the kingdom was split and war erupted among the two sections for many years.

Look around you today. Do you feel your life is lacking? Is the bank account low? Do you feel as if no one even knows you exist? Do you often dream of how much better life could be if only. . .? If so, I want to share a verse with you. Psalm 73:25 says, Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. When thoughts and feelings of inadequacies creep into your life, remind yourself of this verse. If you have God, you have everything you need. Trust in Him, and He will take care of you. Lift your face toward Heaven, and with a joyful voice cry, "Thank you, Lord. I am so blessed!" And remember, it's not enough to just say it. You must believe it!