2015 by Mark Batterson
Published by Baker Books
a division of Baker Publishing Group
P.O. Box 6287, Grand Rapids, MI 49516-6287
www.bakerbooks.com
Ebook edition created 2015
Ebook corrections 06.02.2016
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any meansfor example, electronic, photocopy, recordingwithout the prior written permission of the publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is on file at the Library of Congress, Washington, DC.
ISBN 978-1-4934-0049-2
Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible, New International Version. NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com
Scripture quotations labeled ESV are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV), copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. ESV Text Edition: 2007
Scripture quotations labeled KJV are from the King James Version of the Bible.
Scripture quotations labeled NASB are from the New American Standard Bible, copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.
Scripture quotations labeled NEB are from The New English Bible . Copyright 1961, 1970, 1989 by The Delegates of Oxford University Press and The Syndics of the Cambridge University Press. Reprinted by permission.
Scripture quotations labeled NIV 1984 are from the Holy Bible, New International Version. NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com
Scripture quotations labeled NKJV are from the New King James Version. Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations labeled NLT are from the Holy Bible , New Living Translation, copyright 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
The author is represented by Fedd & Company, Inc.
From the first time I read a Mark Batterson book ( In a Pit with a really long title, you know the one Im talking about ), Ive loved the way he looks at life and faith. He doesnt say if only and settle for regret. He says what if and leans into adventure. Read this book and you will too!
Jon Acuff , New York Times bestselling author of Do Over : Rescue Monday , Reinvent Your Work , and Never Get Stuck
Mark Batterson brings God to life in ways that change us. IF:Gathering exists because of the power of this little word and the way God moves through dreams rather than fear. Whatever is holding you back, lay it down. You dont want to miss the stories God has for you. Because if God is real, what do we have to lose?
Jennie Allen , visionary of IF:Gathering and author of Restless
Mark Batterson has the extraordinary gift of making inspiration seem contagious. His new book If will motivate and encourage you in a way that is genuinely entertaining and solidly biblical.
Eric Metaxas , New York Times bestselling author of Miracles and Bonhoeffer
Finally, a book that shows you how and why we should all take the risks that lead to a life of genuine and faithful purpose.
Judah Smith , New York Times bestselling author of Jesus Is
Pastor Mark has a gift for making spiritual truths accessible and actionable. His writing is informative, enlightening, educational, and a pleasure to read. It will leave you filled with the peace that comes only from renewed faith. Pastor Marks books have provided more spiritual guidance for me than anything else, except for the Bible, of course! If will remind you of Gods promises, reinforce the key principles of your faith, and reinvigorate your spiritual walk. I am inspired, strengthened, and encouraged, ready to take on lifes challenges and continue in pursuit of my dreams. Thank you, Pastor Mark!
Mara Schiavocampo , correspondent, Good Morning America
What if God really does want whats best for us? Thats the intriguing question Mark Batterson encourages us to askand its the one that can change our whole lives.
David Green , CEO, Hobby Lobby
There is no better storyteller than Mark Batterson. His insights will stop you cold in your tracks and help you discover a great what if for your life.
Ben Arment , author of Dream Year and creator of the Story conference
Forget regret! Give up guilt! Do away with doubt! Mark Batterson shows us how to move forward with confidence and enthusiasm, knowing that God is not just right by our side but on our side.
Hugh Freeze , head football coach, University of Mississippi
Contents
Cover
Title Page
Copyright Page
Endorsements
1. The Power
The First If: If Only
2. The Most Terrifying Fact
3. Cant Forget
4. Double Jeopardy
5. A $100 Million Fast
6. Muscle Memory
7. Factory Reset
The Second If: As If
8. Reaction Time
9. The Anchoring Effect
10. The Power of Suggestion
11. Cross-Eyed
12. The Scenic Route
13. The Reckoning
14. Eternal Optimist
15. Who If
16. The Third Wheel
17. And It Came to Pass
18. Narrow Framing
19. Out of Your League
20. The Kingdom of Unintended Consequences
21. The Rosetta Stone
22. Bold Predictions
23. The Pavlovian Effect
24. Change Agents
25. I Dwell in Possibility
26. Monogrammed Blessings
The Fourth If: No Ifs, Ands, or Buts about It
27. The Cornerman
28. The Event Horizon
29. More than Conquerors
30. Keep Calm and Carry On
Epilogue: Forty Years Hence
Acknowledgments
Notes
About the Author
Back Ads
Back Cover
The First If
If Only
Regrets.
We all have them, no exceptions.
But what we do with them is up to us.
Dont play the victim.
You are more than a conqueror.
Dont let regrets hold you ransom.
Learn to leverage them.
There is no regret God cannot redeem.
The best is yet to come.
The Second If
As If
What is real versus what is imagined
the brain does not distinguish between them.
Therein lies the power of as if.
Therein lies the power of faith.
It sees the invisible.
It believes the impossible.
As if bridges the gap between if only and what if.
Its the way we defy our circumstances.
Its the way Gods promises become our reality.
The Third If
What If?
Dreams are created twice.
The first creation is spiritual. The second creation is physical.
But they always start with what if?
What if you knew you couldnt failwhat would you do?
What if time or money werent an objectwhat God-sized goal would you go after?
If youre looking for an excuse, youll always find one.
The same is true of opportunity.
And if you cant find one, you can make one.
Maybe its time to quit asking why.
Why not?
19
Out of Your League
The Spirit intercedes for Gods people in accordance with the will of God.
Romans 8:27
When I woke up on the morning of August 16, 2014, I had no category for what God would do that day. It surpassed my wildest what if .
Before detailing what happened, let me rewind eighteen years.
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