“What’s the best that could happen?”
Ever find your mind defaulting to worst-case thinking? Maybe it’s that feeling before a big presentation when you’re convinced you’ll forget everything, or the doubt that sneaks in just before stepping into a new opportunity. I get it — some people swear by worst-case thinking because they believe it keeps them prepared. And sure, when things don’t go south, there’s a wave of relief. But here’s the thing — that mindset rarely positions you for your best.
What if you started asking, “What’s the best that could happen?” instead? This mindset shift can change how you approach just about anything — especially when you’re living a life with God at the center.
Living with this mindset allows us to build optimism in areas where we may be lacking it. Look at what all Jesus had to endure — even He lived optimistically, even when He knew the worst that was ahead of Him. Jesus could have focused on the agony ahead, but instead, He chose to align His will with God’s purpose, embracing the “best that could happen” mindset: the redemption of mankind.
This doesn’t mean we ignore or deny the worst-case thinking we all fall into at times. A lot of that thinking is irrational, and it often fuels unnecessary stress. Instead of taking practical steps to manage our thoughts, we get caught in a cycle of worry, feeding off the anxiety rather than focusing on solutions. Worst-case scenarios will happen sometimes, and embracing the “what’s the best that could happen” mindset doesn’t guarantee that they won’t. However, if we only focus on the worst, we leave no room for optimistic outcomes — even when the bad things come to pass. There’s always potential for good, even in the midst of hardship. We often overlook the fact that positive change can emerge from the very situations we fear the most.
When we fixate only on what could go wrong, we miss out on the possibilities that could come from the challenge. The worst may happen, but what if it leads to something better than we ever imagined? We only see the bad when we focus on the “bad.” So why not flip the script? What if we choose to think about the good, so we can start seeing the good?
When we fail to do this, we fail to trust in God’s goodness. It’s easy to get lost in the weight of life’s challenges and convince ourselves that we’re not equipped to handle them. But God promises us that He will never give us more than we can bear. That doesn’t mean we won’t face hardship, but it does mean that, in every moment of difficulty, He has already provided us with the strength to persevere.
When we don’t believe that, when we don’t stay disciplined enough to trust Him, we let fear and doubt take the lead. The weight we feel often isn’t just the situation itself — it’s the mental and emotional struggle that comes when we forget God’s promises. But when we choose to align our minds, bodies, and spirits with that truth — when we trust that He has equipped us for whatever comes our way — we activate the strength He’s already provided.
Discipline in this context isn’t just about self-control or grit. It’s about aligning our entire being — mind, body, and soul — with the truth that God’s grace is sufficient for us in every circumstance. When we make this choice, we allow His peace to wash over us, giving us the ability to stand firm, no matter what.
Life throws all kinds of scenarios, situations, and challenges our way. But when we make it a habit to ask ourselves, “What’s the best that could happen?”—whether in big moments or small—we put ourselves in a better position to bring our best into the situation. This mindset helps us approach each circumstance with a clear and positive perspective, rather than being clouded by the doom of fear before we even give ourselves a chance to respond.
Are you disciplined enough to receive God’s goodness, even when the temptation to fall back into worst-case thinking feels stronger? It’s easy to believe that worrying or preparing for the worst will protect us, but the truth is, we are already protected by the armor of God. Stop thinking that your shield is found in fear or negativity. Instead, believe that the shield is within the mind God gave you — a mind that is disciplined, focused, and equipped to face every opportunity in life with trust, courage, and faith.
Join me in a moment of prayer — covering you, your journey, and the work God is doing in your life. Wherever you are, I invite you to pause, take a breath, and receive this prayer:
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for the reminder that You are always with us, guiding us through every challenge and every opportunity. Help us to shift our minds away from fear and worry and instead focus on Your goodness and the possibilities You’ve laid before us. Teach us to trust in Your plans, knowing that You have equipped us with everything we need to face whatever comes our way. May we approach each situation with a heart full of faith, asking ourselves, “What’s the best that could happen?” and believing that You are working all things together for our good.
Strengthen our discipline to trust in Your promises, to align our minds, bodies, and souls with Your truth, and to walk confidently in the armor of Your protection. May we reflect Your peace and optimism, no matter what life throws at us. We give You all the glory and honor, and we thank You for the strength and grace to stand firm in Your love.
In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
Until next time, God bless, and remember, you’re always supported in your journey by me, your God-given coach.
