Stop Spiraling! Joseph Teaches Teen Girls About Assumptions, Hypotheticals & the “What-If” Game

Girl… have you ever literally played the “what-if” game in your head?You know what I mean:

you see one little thing happen—maybe your friend scrolls past your text, maybe your mom gives you the side-eye—and your brain instantly goes:

• What if she’s mad at me?

• What if I ruined everything?

• What if this ends my friendship?

• What if the whole world thinks I’m a total mess?

And by the time you blink, you’ve run through every single scenario, from minor awkwardness to apocalyptic friendship meltdown, and somehow you’ve convinced yourself it’s all your fault.

Well… welcome to Genesis 43, teen-girl edition. Joseph’s brothers just stepped into Egypt with Benjamin, and they immediately start spiraling. Before Joseph even says a word, they’re imagining the worst, apologizing for crimes they didn’t commit, and trying to explain away every little detail of their past.

This episode? We’re diving into why speculation is the ultimate brain trap, how wrong assumptions lead us down dark rabbit holes, and what God really wants us to do instead.

Hey girl! Welcome back to FR, Let’s Talk, the podcast where we get real about faith, life, crushes, friendships, school drama… and how to do all that with Jesus in your corner. I’m your host, Kaase Levell, and this is like my favorite place to be, seriously. If this is your fist time stopping by, hey sis, heyyyyy. But, if you’re a lifer, you already know what I’m about to say.

Love you, mean it. Anyway…lets tap into the why behind this podcast REAL QUICK. Can WE? 

Here’s the deal — teen life is extra. 

Like, some days it feels like school is actually a competition for “Who Can Be the Most Perfect Human,” and your brain is the judge. You’re juggling tests, homework, sports, club deadlines, and somehow also trying to look like you have your life together on Instagram—and maybe even smiling in the hallway while your backpack is literally trying to crush your soul.

And let’s not even start on the pressure to be perfect. Perfect grades, perfect outfit, perfect hair, perfect Instagram post… basically, perfectionism is like this annoying little classmate who follows you everywhere and whispers, “You’re not enough… not enough… not enough.”

Some days, you’re walking to class thinking, “If I don’t get an A, if I don’t say the right thing, if I don’t wear the right shoes… my life is OVER.” And your brain starts spiraling through all the possible disasters—like that hypothetical game that never actually happens but you live it in full HD anyway.

And that, my friends, is exactly why I love this podcast. Here, we get to laugh at our chaos, cry about the real stuff, and figure out life’s drama without pretending we’re perfect. Because God didn’t make us to be perfect, He made us to grow, to learn, and to live with Him in the middle of our messy, overthinking, anxious lives.

So grab your snack—maybe a chocolate bar, maybe a bag of goldfish you’re hiding from your siblings—kick your feet up, curl under your blanket, or balance precariously on your bed like I’m doing right now, and let’s dive into today’s episode. We’re talking what happens when your brain goes full hypothetical spiral mode, how that’s just like Joseph’s brothers in Genesis 43, and how God wants to give you peace instead of letting your imagination run wild.

Now, before we dive back into last week’s lesson, let’s do one of my favorite little traditions—Funny Confessions. This is where I share the silly, ridiculous, sometimes totally over-the-top ways we cope with stress, anxiety, or life just being… extra. It’s basically me saying, “Girl, you are not alone—life is messy, and sometimes our coping is hilarious.

So, full transparency…the other night, I had a minor panic about, you know, life being chaotic, school stuff, emails I haven’t answered, my brain spinning… normal mom stuff. And instead of doing something productive like praying, journaling, or even just breathing, I decided the ONLY way to cope was to go full-on panic cleaning mode.

I’m talking: I emptied the dishwasher, reorganized the spice cabinet, alphabetized the Tupperware lids, and color-coded the socks drawer. And then… I looked around and realized I was still stressed. So naturally, I moved on to reorganizing the pantry. And somehow ended up googling “how to fold fitted sheets like a pro” at 11:47 p.m. Meanwhile, my daughters are yelling, “Mom… what are you DOING?” and I’m like, “I’m managing stress… creatively!”

Basically, my coping mechanism turned into a one-woman HGTV episode that solved absolutely nothing, but hey—at least the spice jars are aligned.

At the end of the day, the point isn’t fixing everything… it’s surviving the chaos with a little humor intact. Am I right? 

Now—before we dive into today’s chaos… let’s do a quick throwback to last week. If you missed it, no worries, we’ve got you.

We were in Genesis 42, and the big takeaway was all about tests—not grades, but growth.

Yep, God sometimes puts us in situations that feel like life just pulled a pop quiz out of nowhere. And honestly, same. I swear I’ve had “pop quiz” moments in my life that were like, “Um, excuse me, I didn’t study for this!”

Joseph’s brothers were in one of those moments. They’d sold Joseph years before, and now they show up in Egypt—feeling all kinds of guilty, anxious, and probably side-eyeing each other like, “Wait… are we gonna be okay?” And then Joseph drops this test on them. But here’s the kicker: it’s not a trap. He’s not there to grade them with gold stars or red pens. He’s checking to see if their hearts have grown, if they’ve leveled up in maturity since all the past drama.

And girl, isn’t that how God is sometimes? You’re walking into school, and boom—a project, a friendship fight, or a teacher’s random “pop quiz” hits you. Or maybe your brain is spiraling because you think everyone’s judging you for literally everything—from your grades to your lunch choices. That’s a test. Not to punish you, but to see how you respond, how you grow, and if you can trust Him in the middle of the stress.

So here’s the interactive part: I want you to think about the last week. Pause for a sec… Did you get stressed about a situation, freak out a little, or maybe totally overthink something that wasn’t even a big deal? Yep, same energy Joseph’s brothers were feeling. And the truth is, God sees it all—and He’s not grading your “panic” or your perfectionism. He’s watching to see how your heart responds when life gets messy.

And the coolest part? If you stumble? No biggie. God gives a redo. Like, literally, He’s all about second chances and showing off how much your heart can grow when you lean on Him.

So grab a sticky note or your phone real quick—yeah, pause me for 5 seconds. Write down:

one moment this week where I felt tested. Got it? Cool. Keep that in your back pocket because we’re about to see Joseph’s brothers get tested in a whole new way in Genesis 43, and trust me—it’s going to feel way too familiar.

Alright, girls… if you’ve got your Bibles or Bible apps, let’s open up Genesis 43, because this chapter is a goldmine for learning about assumptions, speculation, and the wild ride our brains can take when we leap before we look.

Genesis 43:15-25 (ESV)

15 So the men took this present, and they took double the money with them, and Benjamin. They arose and went down to Egypt and stood before Joseph.

16 When Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the steward of his house, “Bring the men into the house, and slaughter an animal and make ready, for the men are to dine with me at noon.” 

17 The man did as Joseph told him and brought the men to Joseph's house. 

18 And the men were afraid because they were brought to Joseph's house, and they said, “It is because of the money, which was replaced in our sacks the first time, that we are brought in, so that he may assault us and fall upon us to make us servants and seize our donkeys.” 

19 So they went up to the steward of Joseph's house and spoke with him at the door of the house, 

20 and said, “Oh, my lord, we came down the first time to buy food. 

21 And when we came to the lodging place we opened our sacks, and there was each man's money in the mouth of his sack, our money in full weight. So we have brought it again with us, 

22 and we have brought other money down with us to buy food. We do not know who put our money in our sacks.” 

23 He replied, “Peace to you, do not be afraid. Your God and the God of your father has put treasure in your sacks for you. I received your money.” Then he brought Simeon out to them. 

24 And when the man had brought the men into Joseph's house and given them water, and they had washed their feet, and when he had given their donkeys fodder, 

25 they prepared the present for Joseph's coming at noon, for they heard that they should eat bread there.

Okay girls, let’s pause here, because THIS is where it gets messy—and so real for life today.

As soon as Joseph’s brothers arrive at his house, their brains immediately go into overdrive.

And honestly? Can you blame them? They KNOW they left the money from their first trip in Joseph’s sacks—they know they messed up. And now, just walking up, they’re thinking:“Wait… are we being punished for stealing the money last time?”“What if this is the moment they catch us? Are we going to jail—or worse?”“Maybe we’re here because Joseph thinks we’re spies… again!”“Do we need to explain ourselves? Like, start our apology speech now?”

And here’s where it gets extra messy: with limited to zero information, they start piecing together this wild tapestry of stories in their heads—an elaborate entanglement of hypotheticals that are all, literally, baseless. Like, they’ve run thirty-four different “what if” scenarios based on maybe two pieces of half-information.

Now, here’s the MIC DROP! None of it is real. They haven’t been confronted yet. Not a single word from Joseph. Yet their brains have already spiraled into maximum meltdown mode, imagining punishments, accusations, and betrayals around every corner.

It’s like when you walk into a group project and see one person whispering to another, and your brain immediately launches a full Netflix drama series about what they’re thinking—and somehow, you’re the villain. Or when your teacher looks at you in a “we need to talk” way, and suddenly you’ve got an entire courtroom trial happening in your head… all before anyone says a word.

This is exactly the dark rabbit hole the brothers fall into—all from speculation, assumptions, and a little guilt mixed with fear. And girl, let’s be honest: we do the same thing way too often, spinning tiny bits of info into full-blown panic or elaborate stories that never actually exist. So let’s get real for a minute and see what the Bible has to say about all of this.

The Bible is actually FULL of warnings about the trap of assuming, speculating, and spiraling.

Proverbs 3:5–6 lays it out clearly:“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”Think about that for a second—do not lean on your own understanding.

Yet how often do we do exactly that? We see one tiny piece of info—a cryptic text, a look from a teacher, a whisper in the hall—and we build an entire apocalyptic scenario around it. That’s exactly what Joseph’s brothers are doing.

They know they left the money in their sacks, so their brain immediately starts drafting a full-on defense, imagining punishments, accusations, and secret plots. And girls, Scripture is basically saying: stop. Don’t do that.

Then James 4:13–15 takes it even further:“Come now, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town…’ Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.”

Y’all—this is a huge reality check. We don’t control tomorrow, and our perspective is tiny.

When we speculate, we’re essentially saying, “I know more than God. I know the plot twists, the outcomes, the plan.” And spoiler alert—we don’t.

And because God knew our brains would go there, He gave us verses to anchor us when we spiral. Philippians 4:6–8 literally gives us the antidote:“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God… and the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

So when your mind starts running wild, pause and pray instead. Let peace interrupt panic.

Here are a few more anchors for when your thoughts are racing faster than truth:

• Isaiah 26:3 — “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in You.”

  
  

• 2 Corinthians 10:5 — “We take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”

  
  

• Psalm 94:19 — “When my anxious thoughts multiply within me, Your comfort brings me joy.”

  
  

If you’re ever spiraling, grab one of these verses and speak it out loud. God’s Word is the reset button your brain needs.

Back to the brothers: when they start justifying themselves to the steward, apologizing, and defending their past actions, Scripture would call that digging a mental hole they don’t need to be in. It’s a dark, scary space that’s all in their heads, and it keeps them from seeing the truth and the kindness God has already prepared for them.

Here’s the kicker—once they finally face reality, the steward reassures them. Everything is better than expected. Guys, don’t miss this. Their spiraling thoughts? Completely unfounded.

But the lesson is clear: if they had trusted God instead of their panicked brains, they could have skipped the whole stressful mental circus.

Now let’s bring it home: how often do we do the same thing today?

We stress about what our friends think.We assume our teachers are angry or disappointed.

We imagine we’ve completely ruined a conversation or messed up a project. And then we spiral. We defend, apologize, and stress about things that aren’t even true yet.

This is exactly what Scripture warns against: wrong assumptions and overthinking are a dark hole. But here’s the good news—God doesn’t want us stuck in that spiral. He wants us to pause, breathe, and trust Him. He wants us to step into reality, not our hypothetical drama, and see the kindness, provision, and protection He’s already prepared.

Alright, girl… let’s get real and a little messy here. You just heard how Joseph’s brothers spiraled into their own mental Netflix drama—and honestly? We do the same thing every.

single. day.

So here’s the deal: your brain is basically a little overachieving intern that LOVES creating hypotheticals. And when it goes rogue, it can take a tiny thing—like a side-eye, a “meh” text reply, or a group project comment—and blow it up into a full-on disaster movie. Cue your inner voice:“OMG, she’s totally mad at me!”“I can’t believe I said that… I ruined everything!”

“What if everyone thinks I’m a total loser?”

Now, let’s make this interactive: grab a pen, a sticky note, or your phone. I want you to write down one “what-if” scenario you’ve been spiraling about recently. Don’t censor it. Get it all out.

Got it? Good. Now, right next to it, write how you can pause and hand it to God instead of running with it. Maybe that’s a prayer, a deep breath, calling a friend, or just telling yourself, “Girl, I don’t have all the info—God does.”

Here’s a little trick I love: whenever your brain starts spinning into “what-if mode,” ask yourself these three questions:Do I actually have all the facts?Am I imagining the worst-case scenario?

What would trusting God look like in this situation?

Try that for a day—or a week—and watch how many “mental disasters” you can skip entirely.

Spoiler alert: it’s like giving your brain a permission slip to chill out.

So here’s a playful challenge for you:The next time you catch yourself spiraling, say it out loud in the funniest, most dramatic way possible. Like, “OMG, the world is ending because I didn’t put a sticker on my notebook correctly!”Then immediately follow it with a reality check: “Wait… God’s got this. None of this is the end of the world.”

Optional: text me—well, not really me, but imagine texting a trusted friend your spiral confession and laugh about it together. Humor actually breaks the power of overthinking.

See what we did there? We took Genesis 43, Joseph’s brothers, and a bunch of biblical warnings about assumptions—and turned them into tools for teen brains that love spiraling into chaos.

Alright girls, let’s make this real. Hearing a Bible story is one thing, but seeing it in your life—hallways, group chats, or family breakfast—is another. Here are a few teen-life scenarios to show what that looks like:

Scenario 1 – The Text That Wrecked Your Day:You text your best friend, hours go by, no reply, and suddenly your brain says: “She hates me. I’m the worst friend ever.” Reality check: she’s probably just busy. Pause, pray, hand it to God—nothing’s broken until it actually is.

Scenario 2 – The Teacher Side-Eye:Your math teacher gives a glance, and your brain scripts a courtroom drama: “I failed. Detention. Life over.” Truth? She’s probably just thinking about her next class. Respond with calm, reality-based faith. Philippians 4:6–8: pray, release, and let God’s peace guard your mind.

Scenario 3 – The Family Vibe Disaster:Breakfast is quiet, and your brain screams: “I ruined everything. Mom’s mad, Dad disappointed.” Likely? Your sibling is just tired or distracted. Step back, breathe, and anchor in God’s truth—Isaiah 26:3: perfect peace comes when we trust Him, even in family chaos.

These teen scenarios mirror Joseph’s brothers: assumptions, “what-ifs,” and spirals that don’t match reality. But like them, when we pause, pray, and trust God instead of our wild brain scripts, we skip the mental panic circus and step into the peace, clarity, and confidence He’s already waiting to give us.

Alright girls, let’s pause and really lock in what today’s episode is all about. Here are three key takeaways I want you to walk away with:

Catch your spirals early: Don’t let your brain run wild creating “what-if” scenarios. Pause and notice when your thoughts are spinning.

Anchor in truth, not assumptions: Instead of building stories from limited info, speak Scripture into your situation. God’s Word is your ultimate reality check.

Step back from imagined drama: Your worth, friendships, and family relationships aren’t defined by hypothetical outcomes. Don’t get stuck in mental black holes—pause, breathe, and let God guide your perspective.

Alright girls, let’s take a minute to actually anchor all of this. Close your eyes, bow your heads, and take a deep breath. Let’s invite God into our thoughts, our “what-if” spirals, and our tendency to assume the worst. You can whisper this out loud, or just think it in your head—God hears both.

“God, thank You for reminding me today that I don’t have to jump to conclusions, imagine the worst, or believe every story my brain spins. Help me pause when my thoughts start racing and trust that You are bigger than my ‘what-ifs.’ Teach me to anchor my mind and heart in Your truth. Guard my heart from fear, assumptions, and speculation, and remind me that my value is fixed in You alone. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

Now, before we wrap up today, I’ve got some exciting news to share! I recently filed to become a 501c3 ministry. I know that sounds like a bunch of legal words, so let me break it down:

• Basically, it means our podcast is now officially a nonprofit ministry.

• That also means we can accept money from people who want to support this show, and any support is 100% tax deductible—so your parents can even get a little tax help while supporting the mission.

Here’s the deal:

When you choose to partner with me, you’re not just “donating.” You’re literally linking arms with me to:

1. Keep the podcast rolling – dropping truth, encouragement, and Scripture straight into earbuds around the world.

   
   

2. Hold the safe space – our website where girls can ask real questions and find hope without judgment.

   
   

3. Fuel free resources – devotionals, guides, and tools to help girls stand strong when life feels shaky.

   
   

4. Open doors for coaching and speaking – so I can show up in living rooms, youth groups, and events to remind girls they’re deeply loved and wildly chosen by God.

   
   

Big or small, every gift keeps this mission alive and growing. Together, we’re planting seeds of faith in the next generation—and honestly, that’s the best investment you could ever make.

Here’s how you can help:

• Partner as a monthly supporter: even a small gift makes a huge difference.

  
  

• Give a one-time donation: every gift goes directly to keeping FR, Let’s Talk running.

  
  

• Tell your parents: they can help you support this ministry and help us keep reaching girls with faith, encouragement, and real-life tools.

  
  

I’m beyond excited to see how God continues to grow this space, and I can’t wait for you to be part of it.

Alright girls, that’s a wrap for today! 🎉

Remember: your brain might want to spin a Netflix series of “what-ifs,” but God’s truth is the director—and He’s got the best plot twists, peace, and plot armor ready for you.

So go out there this week, catch yourself before spiraling, laugh at the chaos, and hand those “what-if” scenarios straight over to God. Seriously, He can handle the drama way better than your brain ever could.

And don’t forget—this podcast? It’s your safe space. Your laugh zone. Your mini Bible study-meets-life-coach in earbuds. And now, because of our new 501c3 status, you can literally link arms with me to keep it alive—whether that’s through a monthly gift, a one-time donation, or getting your parents in on the mission. Every bit keeps truth, hope, and God-sized encouragement flowing straight to teen girls like YOU.

Until next time, peace & love! ✌️