“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.” —2 Chronicles 20:12
When difficult situations arise (and they will), don’t try to dull and medicate the pain and pressures with things less than God, like shopping, food, entertainment, TV, music, alco- hol, or drugs. These things may make you feel better for a few minutes, but they’re short-lived. Instead, put your hope in the Lord.
Then pray about everything. Make that your first resort rather than your last. King Jehoshaphat is just one example we find in Scripture of some- one who went to God first. When the Moabites and the Ammonites came against the nation of Judah, Jehoshaphat cried out to the Lord for wisdom (2 Chron. 20). Before he talked to his advisors, before he called his army to action, he first laid the situation before the Lord.
When crisis hits, when you get that text with bad news, lay it before the Lord before you do anything else. Seek His guidance first and foremost, and let the Holy Spirit quiet your heart.
Make it Personal
What do you tend to do first when difficult things happen? How can you train yourself to go to the Lord first?