We often complain when something is not going the way we want. However, as a Christian, we should always rejoice, because in Him we have a special clause in our contract: the “even if” clause.
The best way to calm down a situation is to ask yourself, “What is the worst thing that could happen?”, and then we look at that situation and wonder if we can get over it. For most people, the worst scenario is usually death. Except for Christians! When we are saved, even death should not scare us (Matthew 10:28). This was the case of the three friends who were threatened with being thrown into a fiery furnace if they did not worship the statue of Nebuchadnezzar. “If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire; and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up” (Daniel 3:17-18 NASB). The three men were not afraid of losing their lives because they knew there was much better waiting for them. That’s why when faced with the threat, they could say “even if” God doesn’t deliver us, that’s alright, we know we don’t lose by keeping our standards.
Eternal life after our death is not our only advantage! We have the great advantage of having access to the grace of God, His presence, during our days here on Earth! God wants to see us healthy and the blood of Christ brings us healing and deliverance. But “even if” we don’t see the immediate answer to our weaknesses, we can rely on God, as Paul so aptly explained. “Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me—to keep me from exalting myself! Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me. And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me” (2 Corinthians 12:7-9 NASB).
It is not because we are a child of God that we will have no challenges, but “even if” we have big problems, we have a hope that the world does not have. “Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all” (Psalm 34:20 NASB). This is our greatest asset: we are never alone in our challenges. We may have the same problems as non-believers, but at least we are not alone in facing them. We even have a Savior and a Lord who knows exactly what it is to be human because He took the same form as us for a time (Hebrews 2:17-18). He is therefore the perfect intercessor (Hebrews 7:25)! Not only does He know what it is to be human, but His Holy Spirit also lives inside of us and can, therefore, know how we feel even if we ourselves cannot express it (Romans 8:26).
Our advantages even extend in our exchanges with others. Jesus encouraged us to share the gospel of peace without fear of wasting our time. “As you enter the house, give it your greeting. If the house is worthy, give it your blessing of peace. But if it is not worthy, take back your blessing of peace” (Matthew 10:12-13 NASB). If we offer peace and it is not accepted, it will come back to us! We are never a loser with God. We can also love without being afraid of being heartbroken. Because “even if” a relationship does not work, if we are Christians, it will never be a waste of time for a child of God.
So do not envy non-Christians; it may be easier for them to get certain things, but they do not have our hope and our destiny. We don’t have to consider their carnal solutions to meet our needs; by staying true to God and His precepts, we will always be winners. And “even if” all our desires are not fulfilled, our destiny is much greater than all our desires. “We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed” (2 Corinthians 4:8-9 NASB).