If and yet are two very powerful words. Small, but mighty. The word if is "used as a function word to introduce an exclamation expressing a wish" (Merriam-Webster Dictionary). We often begin a question with "What if..." which expresses a wish or something we hope to happen. We make an assumption based on the two letter word-if. The word if is conditional: based on what happens because of the phrase following it.
One definition of the word yet is "on top of everything else: no less" (Merriam-Webster Dictionary). The term even if is another version of yet. If something doesn't happen the way we want it to, yet is unconditional: no matter what else has happened, there is still hope, regardless of the phrase preceding it.
Now, you may be wondering why I chose to look up such small and seemingly insignificant words. I actually took the time to look them up in the dictionary. Why? Because sometimes words themselves are nothing without meaning attached. I listened to a message on Easter Sunday titled "When Life Feels Out of Control." The pastor was talking about control vs. surrender. It was a very powerful sermon. One thing he said really spoke to my heart. He said, "Real faith starts between the if and yet." -Craig Groeschel
There is so much space between these two simple words. Combined, there are only a total of 5 letters, but even Jesus recognized the power these words hold.
Matthew 26:39(NIV)-Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will."
Jesus petitioned His Father before he was crucified. He said if it is possible...He was expressing his wish that he would not have to go to the cross. But Jesus' final phrase in this verse held the most power: yet not as I will, but as you will.
Wow. What a powerful statement.
If our Lord and Savior expressed his wishes not to suffer, yet surrendered to the will of his Father, how much more should we do the same?
As I was thinking about being quarantined and everything I would like to do right now, I started making a list. At first, it was simple daily tasks but my list slowly grew into future items. As I stopped and reread this list of things I wanted to do but couldn't, I realized God was tugging at my heart. He prompted me to reconsider my attitude during this time. Instead of saying If you allow me to get back to "normal" life, then I will praise you...This should be my response: If not, yet will I praise you.
Although God may not do things the way we want him to, He still deserves our praise.
If He does not lift the corona virus from the earth, yet should we praise Him.
If He does not reopen churches, factories, restaurants, and schools, yet should we praise Him.
If we do not get to see our loved ones for months, yet should we praise Him.
If we do not get to do things we normally would, yet should we praise Him.
I am not suggesting we cannot have hope right now. God is the hope that anchors our souls. We can trust Him even when circumstances are out of our control.
The word if is conditional until you add yet. "Real faith starts between the if and yet." It is our attitude in between these two words that determines how we live. Are we going to live expressing our wishes and refusing to praise God when our wishes are not granted? Or are we going to live with the hope that "on top of everything else" God still deserves our praise? It's hard for us to accept when life doesn't go our way.