What To Do When You Don't Know What To Do
Dear Friends,
I've recently had another intense period of migraines which was a real struggle to get through. I find that when I'm not feeling well physically, the whole of my being also suffers. I became quite low having to deal with the pain which was constant for a few days, then lifted for a day or two, only to then return. When it's like that I also find my mind is affected, I don't think clearly, everything gets blown out of proportion, I become frustrated with the time that is wasted when I have to stay in bed and not able to function on a "normal" level (whatever that may be). Then too there is the spiritual side of it, it's tough when I believe that there are things that God has called me to do, which have to put to one side at times like these, when what I really want to do is just get on with them.
It really felt as though it was more than just physical, that I was also facing a spiritual battle and I became battle weary. I wonder too if you are facing a battle right now, not necessarily ill health, although it may be, perhaps it's to do with relationships, or a battle for the soul of a loved one, or caring for an elderly relative,or work related, or your reputation has been maligned, or an unfulfilled dream, or guilt over something you did or was done to you in the past, or an addiction etc.. Whatever it is, it's leaving you battle weary, struggling to keep going, to go from one day to the next, feeling as though there is no release, and you just don't know what to do.
God gave me some encouragement during this time and I want to pass it on to you that you too may be encouraged. One morning in my quiet time with him I was reading 2 Chronicles 20. King Jehoshaphat of Judah was facing war with the surrounding nations and he was afraid, in his fear he turned to God and prayed, “O Lord, God of our ancestors, you alone are the God who is in heaven. You are ruler of all the kingdoms of the earth. You are powerful and mighty; no one can stand against you!...O our God, won’t you stop them? We are powerless against this mighty army that is about to attack us. We do not know what to do, but we are looking to you for help.” v6 and 12 (NLT) One of the men of Judah was given this word from God: "Do not be afraid! Don’t be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, but God’s. 16 Tomorrow, march out against them. You will find them coming up through the ascent of Ziz at the end of the valley that opens into the wilderness of Jeruel. 17 But you will not even need to fight. Take your positions; then stand still and watch the Lord’s victory. He is with you, O people of Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid or discouraged. Go out against them tomorrow, for the Lord is with you!" The response of the King and the people was to worship God.
Then "Early the next morning the army of Judah went out into the wilderness of Tekoa. On the way Jehoshaphat stopped and said, 'Listen to me, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Believe in the Lord your God, and you will be able to stand firm. Believe in his prophets, and you will succeed.' After consulting the people, the king appointed singers to walk ahead of the army, singing to the Lord and praising him for his holy splendour. This is what they sang: 'Give thanks to the Lord; faithful love endures forever!' At the very moment they began to sing and give praise, the Lord caused the armies of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir to start fighting among themselves." v20-22
There is so much in this account, but here are some of the things God showed me:
1. When facing any battle, when I don't know what to do, when I'm too weak to do anything, recognise that God is strong and powerful, look to him for help and keep my eyes on him.
2. God encourages me not to be afraid, not to be discouraged, because this battle I'm in is not mine, but his, therefore, his is the victory, I can experience victory in him, I don't need to keep fighting this battle on my own, in my own feeble strength.
3. The position I take is to "stand still". I am commanded to stand firm in the Lord, by exercising my faith in him, believing in his word, that he will do what he has promised to do, standing firm knowing that he is right there with me, I do not face my battle alone. In Exodus you can read the account of when Moses led God's people out of slavery in Egypt, however, the Egyptians pursue them and the Israelites are caught between a rock and a hard place (in other words between the Egyptians and the Red Sea) this is what Moses tells them: “Don’t be afraid. Just stand still and watch the Lord rescue you today. The Egyptians you see today will never be seen again. 14 The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.” Exodus 14:13-14 (NLT) You may like to read the whole chapter to see exactly what God did for them. There are also many references to standing firm in the New Testament.
4. Worshipping God, giving him my thanks and praise can open the way for God to do something powerful and to work a miracle in the battle. It was "At the very moment they began to sing and praise" that God provided them with the victory. I have to admit that I struggled with this one. If I'm honest, singing and praising is the last thing I felt like doing! I don't even know where to begin when I feel like this! But we are called to do this and in Hebrews 13:15 it says "Therefore, let us offer through Jesus a continual sacrifice of praise to God, proclaiming our allegiance to his name." (NLT) By praising God I'm professing that he is Lord of my life, that I am a loyal and devoted follower of my King. I'm thankful that God reminded me of the praise and worship CDs I have at home, I can play these and sing along with these, I don't need to make up my own words of praise, these songs can be just as meaningful and just as powerful, and I do find that once I listen and sing, a change does happen in my heart, and I am enabled to sing and give praise to God.
To Think About:
Has there been a time in the past when you have witnessed God provide you with a victory in the middle of a battle?
If you feel like you're in a battle today is there one of the four points above that God is telling you to apply to your situation? Or is there something else God has revealed to you in 2 Chronicles 20?
How can you help someone you know is facing and struggling with a battle?
Vicki
I've recently had another intense period of migraines which was a real struggle to get through. I find that when I'm not feeling well physically, the whole of my being also suffers. I became quite low having to deal with the pain which was constant for a few days, then lifted for a day or two, only to then return. When it's like that I also find my mind is affected, I don't think clearly, everything gets blown out of proportion, I become frustrated with the time that is wasted when I have to stay in bed and not able to function on a "normal" level (whatever that may be). Then too there is the spiritual side of it, it's tough when I believe that there are things that God has called me to do, which have to put to one side at times like these, when what I really want to do is just get on with them.
It really felt as though it was more than just physical, that I was also facing a spiritual battle and I became battle weary. I wonder too if you are facing a battle right now, not necessarily ill health, although it may be, perhaps it's to do with relationships, or a battle for the soul of a loved one, or caring for an elderly relative,or work related, or your reputation has been maligned, or an unfulfilled dream, or guilt over something you did or was done to you in the past, or an addiction etc.. Whatever it is, it's leaving you battle weary, struggling to keep going, to go from one day to the next, feeling as though there is no release, and you just don't know what to do.
God gave me some encouragement during this time and I want to pass it on to you that you too may be encouraged. One morning in my quiet time with him I was reading 2 Chronicles 20. King Jehoshaphat of Judah was facing war with the surrounding nations and he was afraid, in his fear he turned to God and prayed, “O Lord, God of our ancestors, you alone are the God who is in heaven. You are ruler of all the kingdoms of the earth. You are powerful and mighty; no one can stand against you!...O our God, won’t you stop them? We are powerless against this mighty army that is about to attack us. We do not know what to do, but we are looking to you for help.” v6 and 12 (NLT) One of the men of Judah was given this word from God: "Do not be afraid! Don’t be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, but God’s. 16 Tomorrow, march out against them. You will find them coming up through the ascent of Ziz at the end of the valley that opens into the wilderness of Jeruel. 17 But you will not even need to fight. Take your positions; then stand still and watch the Lord’s victory. He is with you, O people of Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid or discouraged. Go out against them tomorrow, for the Lord is with you!" The response of the King and the people was to worship God.
Then "Early the next morning the army of Judah went out into the wilderness of Tekoa. On the way Jehoshaphat stopped and said, 'Listen to me, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Believe in the Lord your God, and you will be able to stand firm. Believe in his prophets, and you will succeed.' After consulting the people, the king appointed singers to walk ahead of the army, singing to the Lord and praising him for his holy splendour. This is what they sang: 'Give thanks to the Lord; faithful love endures forever!' At the very moment they began to sing and give praise, the Lord caused the armies of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir to start fighting among themselves." v20-22
There is so much in this account, but here are some of the things God showed me:
1. When facing any battle, when I don't know what to do, when I'm too weak to do anything, recognise that God is strong and powerful, look to him for help and keep my eyes on him.
2. God encourages me not to be afraid, not to be discouraged, because this battle I'm in is not mine, but his, therefore, his is the victory, I can experience victory in him, I don't need to keep fighting this battle on my own, in my own feeble strength.
3. The position I take is to "stand still". I am commanded to stand firm in the Lord, by exercising my faith in him, believing in his word, that he will do what he has promised to do, standing firm knowing that he is right there with me, I do not face my battle alone. In Exodus you can read the account of when Moses led God's people out of slavery in Egypt, however, the Egyptians pursue them and the Israelites are caught between a rock and a hard place (in other words between the Egyptians and the Red Sea) this is what Moses tells them: “Don’t be afraid. Just stand still and watch the Lord rescue you today. The Egyptians you see today will never be seen again. 14 The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.” Exodus 14:13-14 (NLT) You may like to read the whole chapter to see exactly what God did for them. There are also many references to standing firm in the New Testament.
4. Worshipping God, giving him my thanks and praise can open the way for God to do something powerful and to work a miracle in the battle. It was "At the very moment they began to sing and praise" that God provided them with the victory. I have to admit that I struggled with this one. If I'm honest, singing and praising is the last thing I felt like doing! I don't even know where to begin when I feel like this! But we are called to do this and in Hebrews 13:15 it says "Therefore, let us offer through Jesus a continual sacrifice of praise to God, proclaiming our allegiance to his name." (NLT) By praising God I'm professing that he is Lord of my life, that I am a loyal and devoted follower of my King. I'm thankful that God reminded me of the praise and worship CDs I have at home, I can play these and sing along with these, I don't need to make up my own words of praise, these songs can be just as meaningful and just as powerful, and I do find that once I listen and sing, a change does happen in my heart, and I am enabled to sing and give praise to God.
To Think About:
Has there been a time in the past when you have witnessed God provide you with a victory in the middle of a battle?
If you feel like you're in a battle today is there one of the four points above that God is telling you to apply to your situation? Or is there something else God has revealed to you in 2 Chronicles 20?
How can you help someone you know is facing and struggling with a battle?
Vicki
what an awesome scripture and explanation, thank you so much! i was at the bottom of the barrel when i got up this morning...but not any more!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad this encouraged you. Thank you for your comment.
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