No Such Thing as Almost

Do you ever feel like you narrowly avoided disaster? Or maybe you say at times that you "almost" got hit by a car, got mugged, etc. But what if the truth is that while those things seemed to get awfully close to you, that there was no way they were going to actually happen?

Let me explain.

A number of years ago, I was in a car with a friend. She was driving, and she was about to make a left at an intersection. She didn't realize how fast the car coming towards us was travelling, but I did. When she pulled out unexpectedly, I said, "Watch out!" She slammed on the breaks, and the car grazed us, knocking the front license plate off!

But we were unscathed.

I used to look back and think how we were almost toast! But God showed me that my old perspective had no basis in reality. He helped me understand that He knew what was going to happen long before it took place. It's not like He came in just in time; He was already there! He protected me then, and He has done it over and over throughout my life!

So why does it matter how you view it? What's the difference between saying "I almost died," and "I totally survived!" Isn't it just a matter of perspective? Actually, no. The difference is HOPE. If I record in my mind a bunch of incidents in which I almost died, I will be building up fear. I will wonder where my protection is and why it keeps almost failing. I will subconsciously wonder when this barely-there help will finally, as I've been expecting, fail me.

But if I realize that I have a protector who is always there, I see a whole new reality for myself. I realize that nothing has stopped this Protector yet, and nothing ever will. I take this perspective because God tells us in the Bible, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." So this is actually the truth! If that's what He says, and that's what keeps happening, I can live fear-free! As I listen to His voice and follow where He leads, I can be sure He will not neglect me.

And this will actually change how I live my life! Rather than being motivated by self-preservation, which can cause us to waste resources and treat people with suspicion, we can be generous. Furthermore, we'll take risks and encourage others to do so. This could be the difference between a life lived under the covers in fear of failure and pain, or a courageous life that goes on exploits and changes the world!

So for you, "Almost died," or "rescued yet again?"