Stepping Through A Storm

How do you feel about what you are facing? Do you feel equipped for what is required of you?

Sometimes life can abruptly change, turning turbulent, threatening our peace and tranquility? Life can be going along just fine and then out of nowhere, a storm pops up.

A job loss, a medical test, a spouse leaving, a child rebelling, a friend betraying……all are “storms” that can feel very threatening. Sometimes instead of one big storm, there can be many smaller squalls that hit, leaving us weary from repetitive struggles that never seem to end. Whether financial challenges, strained relationships, reoccurring fears, disappointing love-life, or even the bumpy transition into becoming an adult, storms big and small are the norm of life.

But what is the best way to respond to such challenges? Where is the manual to provide a step by step process that can help us know how to navigate through? If you are like me, I am not at my best with knee-jerk responses.

King Jehoshaphat, the king of Judah in 2 Chronicles 20:1-30, teaches us practical steps when faced with a storm or season that feels threatening. I think his story gives insight into some of the best responses when feeling ill-equipped for what you are facing in life.

1. Resolve to inquire of the Lord– When a vast army came to make war against Jehoshaphat, he responded immediately to the threat. Verse 3-4 reads, “Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the LORD, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah. The people of Judah came together to seek help from the LORD; indeed they came from every town in Judah to seek him.” I love how he led the nation to turn first and foremost to the Lord. They did not seek help from another nation or try to figure out for themselves what best to do. They immediately ran to God for wisdom and help. They turned to Him for answers, admitting their need for the Lord.
2. Remember who God is and what He has already done– In verses 6-9, Jehoshaphat stands before the people and prays, reminding them the attributes and promises of their God. He rehearsed what they already knew of God from what He had said and done before them during their history as a nation. Jehoshaphat not only reminded the people, but God Himself what He had said He would do on their behalf if needed.
3. Acknowledge the circumstances- Here Jehoshaphat lays out the circumstances in verses 10-11, identifying the threat and difficulty they’re facing. The king highlights the injustice being suffered. In essence, he is “telling on” what has been done to them.
4. Look to God with expectancy- At this point in verse 12-13, the King admits their utter inability to save themselves or determine what should be done. But he ends with their expectancy of Him to intervene and provide. They were looking to God to defend and uphold His chosen people.
5. Fight against fear and doubt- Now it is the Lord’s turn to respond. In verses 14-17, God tells them not to be afraid or discouraged. He reminds them the battle is not theirs but the Lord’s. He instructs them with what to do as He strengthens them with hope and encouragement, seeking to build their faith in Him. He comforts His people with the assurance that He will take care of them. He does expect them to face their enemy, their threat, but He reminds them that He will be with them.
6. Worship and praise the LORD- King Jehoshaphat bowed his face to the ground, and all the people fell down in worship before the Lord in verses18-19. Then they praised the LORD with a very loud voice, singing of their thanks. Notice this worship and praise was done before the battle even began. They believed God’s promises and praised Him before they were delivered. They thanked Him on pure faith while they were still in need!

I won’t tell you how the story ends but I will say it will encourage your faith to read it for yourself. I believe it is helpful in strengthening our resolve to persevere when we read about God helping His people through unforeseen crises. We learn how to respond to storms that confront us, even when those storms catch us off-guard or last for awhile. It is a real, practical process that we can implement for ourselves as we plug in our circumstances to these principles King Jehoshaphat models for us.

Take these suggestions and write in your own details on paper or in your prayer journal. Use Scripture verses that pertain to your specifics regarding your storm. Do this daily until your are able to stand firm in faith through your storm or until you see the delivering hand of God. This will help you refrain from getting stuck in negative emotions as you journey through this season. You can prevail, just like Jehoshaphat, and enjoy the peace and rest of God once again!