The Weather Channel recently shared a short but interesting piece about the phrase “under the weather.”
Apparently, the idiom originated in the olden days of maritime history—when travel on large sailing ships was common. Any sailor who was feeling ill, or less able-bodied than normal, would be sent below deck to recover—where they could be shielded from the elements. While down in the sick bay, the sailor would literally be “under the weather.”
Ironically, the sick sailor, though protected below from the wind, rain, and cold, was also deprived of the potential healing benefits of sunshine (vitamin D) and fresh air. Interesting—the best intentions may have made bad things worse for that ailing sailor.
So, another thought: consider the homophone of weather: whether … and allow me to engage in some word play. The definition of whether is: expressing a doubt or choice between alternatives. (Read that again.)
Thus, there is a state in which a person could be considered “under the whether.” Perhaps a difficult place of indecision—where one becomes paralyzed by fear of the unknown and unable to proceed. A state of self-doubt and trepidation, standing frozen at the crossroads of if, maybe, perhaps, and no way.
We find an example of this dilemma in 1 Kings 18, when the prophet Elijah engaged the prophets of Baal in a contest of credibility. In verse 21, “Elijah came unto all the people, and said, ‘How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: (that’s all he really needed to say, but, to be fair, he went on) but if Baal, then follow him.’ And the people answered him not a word.” They were stuck speechless—and clearly “under the whether.”
Whenever our expectations and assumptions are not based on fact but on imagination, we get trapped and tangled in the “what-ifs.” What if I have an incurable disease? What if I fail to pass this test? What if I never get married? What if my business fails? What if a meteor falls on my head? (Seriously … ) What if God doesn’t answer my prayer? What if what I’ve believed turns out to be false? What if, at the end of the day, my sin is too great for Jesus’ blood to cover? Pelted with uncertainties, insecurities, and doubts, we freeze, unable to move forward. That’s when we find ourselves “under the whether.”
We often hear it said, “Keep an open mind.” On that, Licensed Mental Health Counsellor Leon Garber commented: “Being open-minded is usually a good thing, but it can become debilitating if one is constantly in a state of pure uncertainty, where anything is possible. For those of us with a strong negative bias, we expect the worst even before fully exploring the data.” —“Paralyzed by the Fear of Uncertainty”
A sense of dread, or expecting the worst, is a common symptom of being “under the whether.” Dread of a bad outcome is often a self-fulfilling prophecy, and it can freeze us in our tracks. On the other hand, if we are always jumping to the worst possible conclusions every time we face uncertainty, perhaps it’s time to rein in our imagination and re-focus on the actual evidence at hand. (More on that ahead.)
Another potential symptom of being “under the whether” is insecurity. It is the root of most interpersonal problems—and it can be deadly. When left unchecked, insecurity turns into cynicism, and acute cynicism becomes chronic suspicion, fear and apathy. It causes one to be “quick to speak and slow to listen, quick to write off and slow to bear with, quick to suspect and slow to forgive.” —Greg Morse, “Assume the Best of Others” (Desiring God)
When we remain “under the whether,” doubt becomes our default, insecurity defines us, disaster becomes our expectation, and hope vanishes as fear fills the void. This is SIN (Rev. 21:8) and a deadly cycle that must be broken. But, how?
One of the most effective remedies is to first ask ourselves: What do I KNOW? What does the existing evidence tell me? What do the actual FACTS say? Specifically, what does the Word of God say about God’s care for me and His direction for my life? What is the Holy Spirit prompting me to remember of God’s proven faithfulness—to me and in the lives of others?
If we obsess over what we DON’T know, instead of adjusting our focus on what we DO KNOW, we tend to fear that anything can—and will—happen. Jesus told His disciples, “All things ARE possible … (yes, but here’s the all-important caveat) … WITH GOD.” (Matthew 19:26) When our trust is according to His Will, His Word, and His Ways—yes, anything within those parameters is possible, and we can rest assured that the outcome will be for our GOOD.
We must look at the overwhelmingly solid evidence of God’s faithfulness—reminding ourselves of what we KNOW and filling our minds with the TRUTH of God’s Word. The joy of the LORD is in KNOWing that you KNOW that you KNOW … Him! This leaves little room for insecurity to grab the wheel and take control of our thoughts.
Say with certainty:
- “I KNOW that my Redeemer lives …“ (Job 19:25 NIV)
- “I KNOW, O LORD, that thy judgments are right.” (Psalm 119:75 KJV)
- “I KNOW whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able …” (2 Timothy 1:12 KJV)
- “My heart is FIXED, O God, my heart is FIXED.” (Psalms 57:7 KJV)
Our actions begin in our thoughts. When our mind is focused on God and His TRUTH, then His thoughts take residence in our minds and change OUR thinking. It becomes what we KNOW. Then, when we act on what we KNOW, our uncertainties become confidence! Our insecurities become discretion! Instead of being “under the whether,” expecting the worst, we begin to assume the BEST! The best outlook, the best outcome, the best intentions (in ourselves and others), the BEST life—and the BEST forever!
“When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul, (then) discretion shall preserve thee, (and) understanding shall keep thee.” (Proverbs 2:10-11 KJV)
- Here’s one last thought (for extra credit): You may find yourself “under the whether” this week—“halting between two opinions”—with regard to the coming election. If this is you, kind reader, PLEASE do this: READ your Bible. LOOK at the facts. PRAY, and then VOTE your Biblical principles. Cast your informed vote for LIFE, for Israel, for traditional marriage, for protection of our children, for secure borders, and traditional Biblical values. “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked bear rule, the people mourn.” (Prov. 29:2 KJV) This is our time to speak. The Church cannot be “under the whether” on Election Day.
