They are predicting another record hot day today in Italy, reminiscent of the terrible summer Europe suffered in 2003. Perhaps you remember hearing then about the thousands who died (especially in France), neglected or unprepared to cope with such unusual weather. So far this summer threatens to be just as hot.

With the awful heat here come le zanzare (mosquitoes), swarming us from the grassy banks of the nearby Greve river. But more tiresome than the heat and peskier than the mosquitoes are the whaddifs which are buzzing around us. I hate them. They are hard to kill and they suck the blood out of life itself.

Others have written about whaddifs - Shel Silverstein and Max Lucado come to mind - but everyone has known about them since early childhood. I bet they have always plagued you too. Want examples?

Almost every day people contact the Bible School asking about our classes. Sometimes as we ask our Avanti Italia workers to take on a new student we can almost see those pesky whaddifs. Whaddif I don't know enough? Whaddif I can't communicate with them? Whaddif I fail?

Yesterday I talked with a seventy-year-old artist about his whaddifs. Whaddif my mother dies and we loose her income and have to hire someone else to help me care for my sister? Whaddif God is too busy or far away to care about my problems?

My own whaddifs are not very different. Whaddif we cannot pay our bills? Whaddif Jennifer's hearing does not come back? Whaddif we have other health problems?

How do you kill a whaddif buzzing around your ear and live instead by faith? The same way Jesus fought Satan in the desert, I suppose. Swat them with God's Word.

To make whaddifs go instead of grow, use some nos you know. These strike a blow:

"no temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear." 1 Corinthians 10:13

"There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." Romans 8:1

"Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." Acts 4:12

"There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love." 1 John 4:18

"There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever." Revelation 22:5

What part of no do we not understand?

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Thanks to Paul Love for ideas which led to this article.

Gary and Jennifer Williams
Florence Bible School
Italy