Thankfully, God’s Word is full of wisdom, and it provides all sorts of godly ways to deal with trouble. One particular story in the Old Testament allows us to follow along with Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, from the first moment he hears about impending trouble to the final moment of its resolve. The book of 2 Chronicles records Israel’s history during the time period between Solomon’s reign as king and the kingdom of Judah’s fall into Babylonian exile. In 2 Chronicles 20, Jehoshaphat received word that a vast army from Edom was coming to make war. Trouble with a Capital T… Here’s what he did, which you can do, too. 

1. Resolve to inquire of the Lord. Jehoshaphat’s very first move was to turn to God. Literally, as soon as the troubling message was delivered, Scripture says: “Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the Lord, and he proclaimed a fast for all of Judah” (2 Chronicles 20:3). The people came together from every town to seek God’s help, and it all started with the king’s instinctive resolve. What is your instinctive resolve? Is it turning to God? 
2. Acknowledge God’s character. Sometimes we just need to stop and remember who God is! By recalling His attributes, we can be reassured that He is able to handle our approaching (or fully arrived) trouble. As Jehoshaphat led his people in turning to God, he began by recognizing God’s character. He said, “O Lord, God of our fathers, are you not the God who is in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. Power and might are in your hand, and no one can withstand you” (2 Chronicles 20:6). Speaking or thinking about God’s faithfulness and unmatched qualities does two things—it gives God glory and honor, and it reminds us that He is able to handle anything and everything that comes our way.
3. Pre-decide to stay faithful. I love this verse so much. In the face of looming war, Jehoshaphat boldly proclaims that no matter what happens, he and his people will stand with God. He says, “If calamity comes upon us, whether the sword of judgment, or plague or famine, we will stand in your presence before this temple that bears your Name and will cry out to you in our distress, and you will hear us and save us” (2 Chronicles 20:9). Before they got into the thick of things, Jehoshaphat was pre-deciding that they would stick with their all-powerful God no matter what. When we’re sinking in trouble, perhaps overcome by emotions, it can be hard to think straight. How might it help you to pre-decide to stand in God’s faithfulness? Then, when you’re struggling to keep your head above water, you’ll already know what to do. It sounds deceptively simple, but I think this step and strategy carries deceptive power. If you’ve pre-decided to stay faithful, then you can almost go into autopilot when trouble comes. (Here’s a blog post about getting holy habits set into stone for times like this.)
4. Humble yourself and look to God. Next, Jehoshaphat explained to God their predicament. He acknowledged that they were powerless on their own and needed God’s direction. He said, “For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you” (2 Chronicles 20:12). Where are your eyes/thoughts/focus when you’re in trouble? Are you focused on the problem? Are you just replaying the moments of struggle in your mind? Choose to place your focus on God. He is the source of your strength. When you don’t know what to do, don’t panic. Turn your eyes upon the Lord! If it helps, say out loud: God, I don’t know what to do, but my eyes are on You.
5. Expect and receive the Holy Spirit’s direction. In the next several verses (2 Chronicles 20:15-17), we see the people of Judah standing before the Lord, waiting expectantly for His direction. How should they take on this huge army? The Spirit of the Lord came upon one of the Levites (who served as assistants to the priests), and He told them exactly what to do. He also reminded them to not be afraid or discouraged because the battle belonged to God. When you ask God for guidance and direction, He will provide it in His perfect timing and perfect way. Tune out the world, tune into the Holy Spirit and wait expectantly for His promptings. 
6. Offer worship, thanks and praise. Jehoshaphat led his people in responding immediately with worship. He gave thanks and praise to God before the battle had even started! The next morning, on the day of the battle, the king appointed specific men to go out at the head of the army, singing to the Lord. “As they began to sing and praise, the Lord set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated” (2 Chronicles 20:22). It’s natural to thank God once victory is in hand, but Jehoshaphat sets an example of praising God even before his significant troubles were resolved. We can step into battle singing and praising God! It might feel strange, maybe even wrong. But in offering undeterred worship, we’re resting in God’s character and deciding to praise Him no matter the circumstances. Our worship in the midst of struggle can help us surrender to Him in all phases of the battle—when we see it coming, when we’re in the middle of it, and once it has passed. God is worthy of our worship, thanks and praise at all times.

If you haven’t already, open up 2 Chronicles 20 and read verses 1-30 so you can take in the story in its entirety. As you do, ask God to imprint these strategies and truths into your heart and mind. And the next time you can tell trouble is coming, you will have a battle plan ready.