Could, Not Would

“Dr. Moore, can you serve as the administer in a meeting on next Friday at 1:00 pm? It’s a consent meeting for a preschooler.” I checked my calendar, noting my availability and stated, “Yes, I can.” The conversation ended and I went on my way. No calendar invitation followed. No phone call was made confirming my continued availability. On the next Friday, at the time of the event, I received a phone call inquiring about my presence for the meeting. In total confusion, I looked at my calendar and felt relief when I realized that I had not overlooked a planned event. The ‘could’ was never confirmed.

Everyone who knows me at my workplace knows that if a meeting is on my calendar, I will be there. I look forward to meeting with different teams and with parents discussing areas of growth, problem solving, and developing plans in the best interest of children. I share my calendar with multiple people to avoid meeting conflicts. I mark unavailable on the calendar when I have planned absent days to ensure my presence when needed=. I put every precaution in place to ensure that if I say I will be somewhere, I am there and if I say I will do something, I do it. Will, not can. Could, not would. Could implies possibility; would declares presence. 

“Can you see me when you have a moment?” “Yes, I will.”

“Could you please give me a moment? “Yes, I will.”
As Christians, we have a ‘would/will’ in Christ the Son and God the Father. He said he would “never leave you nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5). And repeatedly Christ has shown himself to respond to this ‘will.’ In the darkest of times, in the most grievous of days, and in times like these, I have found Him. He is there. Christ said, “I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). This rest is conditional on coming unto Him. The rest is conditional upon recognition that you are heavy laden, burden, and need help. The Bible says, “God will supply every need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19). God knows our needs and not only does He know, but He will also supply our needs. 1 John 1:9 gives us a will. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” God promises to forgive us because of His grace and mercy towards repentant hearts. He will forgive us, but can we forgive ourselves.

From a Christian standpoint, could versus would is a game changer and can be viewed from the standpoint of discernment. 

When you are angry at an individual, you can/could curse the person out, never speak to the person again, or wish harm or them. But will/would you? 

You could skip Bible study to spend time with your friends or because you are tired from work. You could, but will you? Could is not would. 

A bill is past due, and you could really use your offering money to pay the bill and take care of a much-needed repair. You could, but what will you do?

Could, not would speaks to spiritual discernment and spiritual maturity. As you grow in your spiritual walk, the occurrences of could move to solidified movements in accordance to God’s Will. I will go to worship because He is worthy of praise. I will give my offering because I know He will provide. I will pray, not curse because I have learned to control my anger and to pray for those who misuse me. I will because of His Will.

Because of His Will to supply our needs, give us rest, forgive our sins, and do beyond an ‘I will’ statement, we should be able to move according to His Will. Our lives become reflections of His divine plan when we surrender our “could” and embrace the certainty of “will.” In doing so, we shift from potential to purpose, allowing God’s will to direct our steps and define our obedience. When we learn to yield fully, we begin to recognize that His will is not restrictive but redemptive. It transforms hesitation into confidence and uncertainty into peace. Every act of submission becomes an act of worship, every “yes” an opportunity for His glory to be revealed through us.

As we grow in faith, the journey from “could” to “will” becomes a testament of trust. It is a daily invitation to walk by faith and not by sight, to rest in the assurance that God’s plan is always greater than our own. True spiritual maturity is not measured by what we are capable of doing, but by our willingness to do what He commands. When we move in rhythm with His will, we live with divine purpose and holy intention. And in that sacred alignment, our “I will” becomes more than a statement—it becomes a lifestyle of obedience, a declaration of faith, and a living testimony of God’s perfect will at work within us.

Written By:

Dr. Andrea Moore, BS Delta State University, MA Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology University of Memphis, Doctor of Speech-Language Pathology Nova Southeastern University, Administration and Supervision Endorsement Bethel University, three-time author.  amoore@andreamooreslp.com