The Girl Next Door ☎︎: The Battle is Not Yours

As I have recently been struggling with difficult circumstances, the Lord has led me to a story found in 2 Chronicles 20. This passage has brought relief to me in the storm and confidence in the midst of hopeless situations. Go ahead and take a few minutes to read and reflect on this chapter. Jehoshaphat exemplifies, to me, the ideal way to respond to trials. I would love to point out some of the key responses Jehoshaphat had to the battle he was faced.

Pray and Seek

"Then Jehoshaphat was afraid and set his face to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. And Judah assembled to seek help from the Lord"

The first response we should have when faced with a hard challenge is to pray and seek the Lord. This may seem like an obvious reaction, but how often do we immediately look to God when a sudden disappointment, tragedy, or problem smacks us in the face? Right after J (Jehoshaphat) heard that a great multitude of people were coming for him, he looked to God, despite his fear. Yes, you will be afraid. This fear may come out in the form of anger, revenge, or depression. Whatever you feel, remember God is bigger than your emotions. When you do not feel like everything is going to be ok, trust His promises. When you do not feel like God is near or working, trust His character. Before you dump your emotions on friends or family, tell God how you feel. Place the situation in His hands.

This step was difficult for me. I wanted to hear what God had to say about my problem, but I did not know how to listen. In this story, J went as far as to fast. One thing that helped me truly seek the Lord was shutting myself out from the world. I got off social media for a while. I did not ask advice from any friends or family. I talked to God and read the Bible in solitude. Its hard to hear the voice of God when so many other voices are screaming at you. It can get very overwhelming when you have to decide how you are going to handle a difficulty. It can feel like you are being pulled in many different directions. Show God that are willing and ready to hear His voice but shutting out the voices of the world.

Proclaim

"O Lord, God of our fathers, are you not God in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. In your hand are power and might, so that none is able to withstand you."

J verbally described the attributes of God, establishing who He is without a hint of doubt. You know the character of God because it written throughout the entire Bible. Praise Him out load, telling Him specific things about His nature. Pray scripture to the Lord that proclaims His power, grace, sovereignty, and faithfulness.

Reflect

"Did you not, our God, drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel, and give it forever to the descendants of Abraham your friend?"

J took the time to remember all the things that God had already done. When we reflect on past trials that God has already helped us overcome, it can help build our confidence in Him. He will give you another victory. He was faithful before, He will be faithful again.

Humble Yourself

"For we are powerless against this great horde that is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you."

The biggest mistake we can make when responding to a trial is to try to fix it on our own. Like J, admit before the Lord that you are too weak to handle the situation. You need God in order to successfully overcome, move past, or work out the problem at hand. He has the best answer. His understanding is unsearchable! He gives power to the weak and to Him who has no might, He increases strength. Wait for the Lord and He will give you wisdom and power (Isaiah 41). You need God whether you feel like you do or not.

Be Still

"You will not need to fight in this battle. Stand firm, hold your position, and see the salvation of the Lord on your behalf."

This is my favorite verse in the passage. It takes the pressure off of us. It is a great reminder that God lives in us and through us. The battle is not yours, it is God. When you admit that you are weak and acknowledge that you need God, He will step in. This is not an excuse to be lazy and ignore the issue. Standing firm and holding your position will require effort. Waiting on the Lord requires patience and endurance. Waiting on the Lord is hard, but He promises to give us strength in our waiting (Isaiah 41).

Trust

"Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed. Tomorrow go out against them, and the Lord will be with you."

God fighting your battle may not look like what you had hoped or imagined. It might still seem hopeless on the outside, but know that God is working. He knows what He's doing. He promises to be with you. God's presence is in His very nature; therefore, He can't not be with you. This truth should provide us with enough comfort to stare straight into the eyes of our problem with all courage. The God of angel armies is always on our side.

Praise and Worship

"The Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground, and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell down before the Lord, worshiping the Lord...Give thanks to the Lord for his steadfast love endures forever."

Notice that J and his men worshiped the Lord before the battle even began. It is important that we thank God for what He is going to do in the future. Praise him for His salvation in advance. This is what it means to have a confident hope in our Mighty Warrior.

Rejoice and Receive His Peace

"Then they returned...returning to Jerusalem with joy, for the Lord had made them rejoice over their enemies...So the realm of Jehoshaphat was quiet, for His God gave Him rest all around."

After the Lord steps in, fights your battle, and delivers you from your enemies, thank Him. Even if the answer to your problems was not what you would have wanted, praise Him. He works everything for your good. The way He fights the battle will not always look good in your eyes, but rest in the fact that God does everything out of love. He is good all the time. Be still and know that He is God. Receive the peace that He so freely gives to those who patiently wait for Him to work.

I would love to leave you with words to a song that has lifted me above my recent circumstances. Remember these truths when you deal with suffering, heartbreak, death, sickness, and depression:

All things work for our good

Though sometimes we don't

See how they could

Struggles that break our hearts in two

Sometimes blind us to the truth

Our Father knows what's best for us

His ways are not our own

So when your pathway grows dim

And you just don't see him,

Remember your never alone

God is too wise to be mistaken

God is too good to be unkind

So when you don't understand

When don't see his plan

When you can't trace his hand

Trust His Heart

He sees the master plan

He holds the future in his hand,

So don't live as those who have no hope,

ALL our hope is found in him.

We see the present clearly

He sees the first and last

And like a tapestry He's weaving you and me,

To someday be just like him