If Only

Probably more than any other two words these can be the most haunting and painful. We look back and consider decisions that were made for whatever good or bad reasons and say: "If only..." If only I had not gone to _________. If only I had only waited for _______. If only I had not said _________. If only I had just believed God. This last sentence sums it up. We just refused to believe God. Either will did not know, but more than likely, just did not believe that God knows all and especially that He knows best.If only can sure be a weight and burden to carry around. So think of this: Is it possible God knew you were going to say or do what you did? Is is possible that God was still ruling His universe when that happened? Think of this verse from the New Living Translation: "Oh, what a wonderful God we have! How great are his riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his methods!" (Romans 11:33)Could God have prevented what I said or did? Of course He could have. So since He did not, if only ...The best question to ask then is "Where is God in this picture?" The Scripture for a good reason says that God is able to "bring beauty out of ashes." God will never waste anything that seems a waste to me. Since He does know tomorrow and how I will handle it (Psa 139), and since He still loves me, I can trust Him for tomorrow and for yesterday and for all the times I have said: "If only..."