But What If?

As we begin 2026, no one knows what lies ahead. We know there will be new challenges, opportunities, disappointments, and difficulties. However, these do not keep us from planning special events such as graduations, weddings, a new baby, a job change, or a move. Even though we don’t know for sure that these plans will come to pass, we still plan for them.

I used to enter each new year with fear of planning and dread because of all the negative what-ifs I could imagine. I imagined current problems that would never end or have a solution. If I couldn’t see an answer, I feared there would be none. If a relationship or finances had been in a difficult place, I didn’t see how they could improve. After all, we had already done all we could last year, and things weren’t better.

The unknown wasn’t my problem. It was me viewing it through my human logic rather than through faith. I anticipated problems and difficulties, which bred anxiety about issues that didn’t yet exist. This is an awful way to start a new year.

I am happy to share that my perspective has changed. 2026 is still full of the unknown, and many unexpected, unwanted events could happen, but now I choose to view it through faith. Faith that even if the year brings disappointment, heartache, or loss, the Lord will be with me and supply His divine grace and strength as needed.

The events of this new year will not happen randomly or without purpose or plan. They will not be under the control of the government or the media, or even Satan. These forces are active and, to the human eye, may appear to be running the show. However, God is always sovereign and in control, even when things happen that we don’t understand or that make no sense to us.

We need to remember that there is a much bigger plan in place than you or I can see or even imagine. Scripture tells us that His ways are higher than ours and that He is sovereign. “I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:” (Isaiah 46:9-10 KJV).

Deut. 31:8 is a verse I now claim for the beginning of the year and for every ensuing day. “And the Lord, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed”.

We are told many times, both in the New and Old Testaments, that we are sheep and Jesus is our Shepherd. Shepherds always go ahead and lead the sheep. They don’t leave them to find their way on their own or desert them when they are in trouble. He may lead them over a rocky terrain, up a steep mountain, or down into a peaceful valley. Regardless of where the shepherd leads his sheep, he will be with them and take care of their needs.

As we head into this new year, the key to peace is walking every day as close to our Shepherd as we can. Follow His lead, trust Him, and be assured He will work it all for our good. "For the Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want" (Psalm 3:1 KJV).