Trials, Tribulation or Challenging Circumstances: How do you respond?

Everyone has experienced trials, tribulations and challenging times. It is what you do during those times that is important.

In 2 Chronicles 2:20, a great challenge faced Jehoshaphat, the fourth king of the Kingdom of Judah. A great multitude had come against him and the kingdom. The first thing Jehoshaphat did was to seek the Lord as his vital necessity (vs 3). That is our first lesson. Never let the problem distract you from the Lord and cause you to become anxious. Don’t lean to your own understanding, but instead receive God’s wisdom and encouragement. David did the same thing when he was distraught following a battle that burned his city, and stole the women and children (1 Samuel 30:3,6,8). This is a humble position before the Lord when you desire His knowledge about what you are facing, when you recognize in yourself you have no strength. You are acknowledging His ability.

As New Testament believers, Jesus told us “Whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it” (John 14:13, 14). Seeking the Lord provides an opportunity for God to be glorified as you allow Him to work!

God responded to Jehoshaphat by speaking through Jahaziel, son of Zechariah. He said, “Be not afraid or dismayed at this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God’s” (vs.15). These were encouraging words, but Jehoshaphat confirmed that they had “no might to stand against this great company that is coming against us” (vs 12). In the natural the situation looked grave! God gave further instructions; “You shall not need to fight in this battle; take your positions, stand still, and see the deliverance of the Lord Who is with you… Fear not nor be dismayed. Tomorrow go out against them, for the Lord is with you” (vs 17).

This is the second lesson: when God speaks, listen to Him, believe and trust Him! Do not allow the circumstance to steal your gaze away from the Master! Peter was successfully walking on the water in response to Jesus’ command to “Come”, but he began to sink when the storm diverted his attention (Matthew 14:22,23).

Upon hearing God’s wisdom, Jehoshaphat and all of Judah believed the Lord, and began to worship Him. The third lesson is that you will know the condition of your heart by how you respond to the Lord; or do you respond to the problem instead with fear, anxiety, or grumbling and complaining, speaking words of doubt? Your response to the instruction itself in the midst of circumstances that have not changed is key. In this instance, the enemy is still greater than Judah. The difference is that God has spoken confirming that the battle will be won because it belongs to the Lord! We are told that “greater is He Who is in you than he who is in the world” (1 John 4:4).

In trust and obedience Jehoshaphat gathers everyone and begins to position them as the Lord instructed. This is the fourth lesson: do what the Lord tells you to do! As they began to go out, perhaps the king noticed some anxious but willing servants of the Lord; or perhaps he wanted to acknowledge God one more time. So instead of falling apart and allowing human reasoning to derail them and cause doubt, Jehoshaphat once again encouraged his people to “believe in the Lord your God and you shall be established; believe His prophets (believe what God says through them) and you shall prosper” (vs 20). Then he “appointed singers to sing to the Lord and praise Him… giving thanks to the Lord for His mercy, and loving-kindness endure forever” (vs 21)! Praise came before seeing the results. Praise came based on what God said would be the outcome. Picture this scene, going into a great battle with worshipers as your first defense against the enemy!

The fifth lesson is that we should rejoice in the Lord always (Philippians 4:4) and praise the Lord at all times; “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). We can face any trial, any temptation or any difficult circumstance if we approach it acknowledging God and allowing Him to equip us for the battle.

As they began to sing and praise the Lord, something extraordinary happened. Just as He stated, “the Lord set ambushes against (the enemy) who had come against Judah and they were self-slaughtered” (amplified vs 22)! Victory! Not a single enemy had escaped and Judah did not have to lift a finger against them (vs 24,25). Instead, their battle was won by seeking and trusting God, and by obedience and praise! The same victory awaits us!