What If . . . ?

Life is full of unexpected “what ifs”—moments that leave us feeling helpless, confused, or blindsided. In this 12-part series (plus a concluding conversation), Pastor Chuck Swindoll explores biblical answers to some of life’s most difficult scenarios. By diving into the lives of biblical figures and the wisdom of the Epistles, this series provides a practical roadmap for navigating the unknown with faith and resilience.

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1. What If God Chooses You to Do Something Great? (Exodus 3:1–4:31)

• Overview: Explores Moses’ encounter at the burning bush and the common tendency to offer excuses when God calls us out of our comfort zone.
• Key Fact: Moses offered five distinct excuses to God; however, God focused on His own sufficiency rather than Moses’ inadequacy.
• Scripture: Exodus 3:11–12 – God’s answer to “Who am I?” is the promise, “I will be with you.”

2. What If You Suddenly Lose Everything? (Job 1:1–22)

• Overview: A study of Job’s response to catastrophic loss, teaching us how to worship even through tears.
• Key Fact: Job’s primary victory was not his patience, but his refusal to “charge God with wrongdoing” despite his immense grief.
• Scripture: Job 1:21 – “The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.”

3. What If You Are Being Stalked? (1 Samuel 24:1–22)

• Overview: Using David’s flight from King Saul to illustrate how to handle persistent, unfair opposition without resorting to revenge.
• Key Fact: David had a clear opportunity to kill his pursuer but chose to respect the “Lord’s anointed,” leaving the timing of justice to God.
• Scripture: 1 Samuel 24:12 – “May the Lord judge between you and me… but my hand shall not be against you.”

4. What If a Longtime Friend Deceives You? (2 Samuel 15:1–16:14)

• Overview: Examines the heartbreak of Ahithophel’s betrayal of David, offering a perspective on how to process the pain of a broken trust.
• Key Fact: Betrayal is one of the deepest wounds a leader can face; David’s response was to pour out his heart in prayer rather than bitter retaliation.
• Scripture: Psalm 55:12–14 – David’s lament over a “companion” and “familiar friend” who turned against him.

5. What If You Should Confront Someone in Sin? (Galatians 6:1–5)

• Overview: Provides a biblical “how-to” for restoration, emphasizing the spirit of gentleness required when addressing a fellow believer’s failure.
• Key Fact: The goal of confrontation is never punishment, but “restoration”—a word used in Greek for setting a broken bone.
• Scripture: Galatians 6:1 – “Restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted.”

6. What If Someone Kicks You When You’re Down? (2 Samuel 16:5–14)

• Overview: David’s encounter with Shimei teaches us how to endure verbal abuse and personal attacks during our lowest moments.
• Key Fact: David viewed Shimei’s insults as something God might be using for his own discipline, demonstrating incredible humility under fire.
• Scripture: 2 Samuel 16:11 – David instructs his men to “let him alone” and let him curse, trusting God to repay with good.

7. What If You Need a Second Chance? (John 21:1–19)

• Overview: The restoration of Peter after his denial of Christ serves as a powerful reminder that failure is not final.
• Key Fact: Jesus asked Peter “Do you love Me?” three times—matching the three times Peter had denied Him—to fully reinstate him into ministry.
• Scripture: John 21:17 – Peter’s humble confession: “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.”

8. What If You Struggle with a Permanent Disability? (2 Samuel 9:1–13)

• Overview: The story of Mephibosheth illustrates God’s “hesed” (loving-kindness) toward those who feel broken or forgotten.
• Key Fact: David sought out Mephibosheth not for what he could do, but because of a covenant made with his father, Jonathan.
• Scripture: 2 Samuel 9:7 – David’s grace: “Do not fear, for I will surely show kindness to you… and you shall eat at my table regularly.”

9. What If a Person Is an Unrepentant Troublemaker? (Titus 3:9–11)

• Overview: Instruction on how to handle divisive individuals who cause dissension within a community or church.
• Key Fact: Biblical wisdom suggests avoiding “foolish controversies” and giving a factual warning before breaking fellowship with a factious person.
• Scripture: Titus 3:10 – “Reject a factious man after a first and second warning.”

10. What If You Talk Too Much? (James 3:1–12)

• Overview: A sobering look at the power of the tongue and the necessity of verbal self-control.
• Key Fact: The tongue is compared to a small rudder that steers a massive ship; though small, it dictates the direction of one’s entire life.
• Scripture: James 3:5 – “So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things. See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire!”

11. What If Your Boss is Unfair and Disrespectful? (1 Peter 2:18–25)

• Overview: Biblical principles for workplace conduct, specifically how to respond to harsh or unreasonable authority figures.
• Key Fact: Responding with grace to an unfair boss is “finds favor with God” and follows the example of Christ, who did not revile in return.
• Scripture: 1 Peter 2:19 – “For this finds favor, if for the sake of conscience toward God a person bears up under sorrows when suffering unjustly.”

12. What If You Were to Die Tonight? (Luke 12:13–21)

• Overview: A challenge to evaluate one’s eternal readiness through the lens of the “Parable of the Rich Fool.”
• Key Fact: The man in the parable was a success by worldly standards but was “not rich toward God,” focusing only on temporary security.
• Scripture: Luke 12:20 – “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your soul is required of you; and now who will own what you have prepared?'”