Soul Scientist

Even if the fig tree does not blossom, and there is no fruit on the vines, even if the yield of the olive fails and the fields produce no food, even if the flock is cut off from the fold, and there are no cattle in the stalls, Yet I will choose to rejoice in the Lord; I will choose to shout in exultation in the victorious God of my salvation! The Lord God is my strength, my source of courage, my invincible army; He has made my feet steady and sure like hinds’ feet and makes me walk forward with spiritual confidence on my high places of challenge and responsibility. (Habakkuk 3:17-19 AMP)

Nearly 15 years ago, I began the life-changing, daily journey of living with chronic illnesses. I can’t say this journey has been easy or enjoyable, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything because of what I’ve learned (and am learning) in it. These verses from Habakkuk 3 address one of the lessons God has been faithful to teach (and to keep teaching) this exceedingly stubborn soil scientist – the lesson of choosing to trust Him and His Sovereignty and His plan instead of worrying.

The lesson of choosing even-if faith instead of what-if fear.

I’ve wasted way too many years of playing the what-if question game of worry (and still struggle with it, including this morning about this post!). I still find myself wanting to choose the default of worry with what-if questions like “what if insurance stops paying for my medicines? What if the medicines stop working? What if I must use a wheelchair all the time?” and so on and so forth in that vicious cycle of trying to account for every possible outcome.

Not just plan b but plan c, d, e, and onwards.

Honestly, I just want to be in control.

And I don’t think I’m alone in this.

Kate Bowler captures this idea with, “control is a drug and we are all hooked”. Yes, I know the verses from Matthew and Luke and Philippians and other places that tell me not to worry and to remember the sparrows and the flowers and such. But my mind and heart keep right on counting those worry beads of what-if questions.

The counting continues unchecked until I choose to stop and listen for my Good God’s gentle reminders of truth spoken in love. The truth that only He is in control, only He is Sovereign, and only in trusting Him can I know the fruit of even-if obedience. The fruit of peace, security, joy, rest, delight, and strength of watching expectantly for God to work like Habakkuk did with his even-if thinking.

Habakkuk told of the worst-case scenario for an agrarian society – empty fields, orchards, vineyards, and barns. Yet he trusted God with those even if’s. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in Daniel 3 did the same with their even-if of the fiery furnace; the sons of Korah did the same in Psalm 46 and Paul in Romans 8 and so on…

This makes me ask – if they can do it, why can’t I do the same?

Unfortunately, my own arrogance is the real answer to my living in what-if fear instead of flourishing in even-if faith.

What is keeping me from choosing even-if faith? And why can’t any of us, all of us choose even-if faith?

Even if we are thrown into the fiery furnace, we can trust God.

Even if the earth gives way and the mountains be thrown into the sea, we can trust God as Good.

Even if disease or disability or death comes, we can trust God as Good and as Provider.

God is with us. God is able. God is in control.

God is not limited by anything, including chronic illnesses and cancer.

God alone is faithful to every single one of His promises all the time. He alone will bring to completion the good work He has begun in us (see Philippians 1:6). He alone will provide so that we lack no good thing (see Psalm 23:1). He alone can make our  feet steady and sure like the hinds’ feet for our high places (see Habakkuk 3:19). He alone will make our paths straight as we trust Him without leaning onto our own understanding (see Proverbs 3:5-6). He alone will establish the work of our hands (see Psalm 90:17). He alone is our refuge and strength. He alone is our very present help in time of trouble (see Psalm chapter 46).

O Father – O Sovereign God – O Jehovah Adonai

Thank You that nothing is too hard for You to do.

Thank You that no one is impossible for You to rescue.

Thank You that nothing takes You by surprise.

Thank You that You have a good plan for good for everything and everyone in our lives.

Thank You that You are the God of even-if’s Who gives us faith to trust You amidst a sea of what-if’s.

Thank You that You can make us walk on water and the mountains, too.

Thank You that You can fill our barns and fields and our hearts and souls, alike.

Thank You for Jesus and His payment for our sins, once for all sins, once for all of us.

In the strong Name of Jesus,

Amen.

If you’re living in even-if life circumstances, I’d encourage you to look up the Scripture given above and write them down. Then, take the paper where you’ve written the verses and put them all over your house, car, office, school, etc. so you will always have the truth right there in front of your eyes to remind you of the love of our Good Even-if God. Read the promises out loud, over and again. Memorize the promises so that they fill your heart and mind (and block worry from taking over yet another day for you.) Believe the truth and be set free by it (see John 8:32).

Today’s devotional was an excerpt from The Nevertheless Project coming in Summer 2026 from Abundance Books Publishing House. Please make sure and sign up to follow here for all the information coming soon on this project (and other projects in the making). Also, if you’d like for me to come and speak (in-person or online) about this project, please contact me at drbethmadison@outlook.com. I’d love to come and visit with you and delight together in our Jesus! And together we can encourage each other to keep standing firm in even-if faith (and saying no to what-if fear).

here’s the link to sign up to follow the blog:

sign up to follow the blog here

 written by and copyrighted to Beth Madison, Ph.D., 2025.