“Is your crutch one of these words, or both of them?
IF
or
BUT
As you use these words, do you find justification in them and with them, for your lack of Faith, lack of understanding in how God would work, or your lack of faith in other people; or, by the use of them, do you feel you are covering all angles in case the statement you make is not altogether true? These words are small, often used, and most of the time justify negative approach, negative feelings, negative circumstances, or negative faith.
Sometimes people say beautiful words, giving hope, sounding sincere, and there is strength in their positive attitude. Then, all of a sudden, the connecting link, the weak link, knocking down everything that was first said, by using an if or a but.
Let us now look at what these two words can do. ‘If I had the money, I would help you.’ ‘If I knew what to do, I would do it.’ ‘If only things were different, there would be more happiness in the world.’ ‘If so and so didn’t do this, or didn’t do that…,’ and so on, and so on, and so on. All ifs, no positive action or thinking. If, in many ways, brings weakness to a relationship, to a conversation, to a job. Stop using if and replace it with: ‘It can be.’ ‘I will do it.’ ‘There is a way.’
Now let us take the word ‘but’. ‘I think he has sound thinking in that problem, that situation, but I don’t think it can work.’ ‘I like the idea, but…’ ‘So and so is great, but…’ ‘You’re going to live, but…’ ‘I would give you what you need, but…’ ‘If you had such and such, it would work, but…’
Now, take but out of your vocabulary. Can you live without these two words? Try it. You may find life more pleasant, more positive, happier, and yourself not so critical or negative.”
