three things to do when you are overwhelmed…

here in 2 chronicles 20, jehoshaphat gives us a model of some things you do when you feel overwhelmed.

1. remind yourself of who GOD is.

2. remind yourself of what HE has done in the past.

you recall the times when GOD has helped you. you remember the miracles that HE’s already done in your life and the way HE’s helped you.

verse 7 (nlt), did you not drive out those who lived in this land when your people arrived?

jehoshaphat is going all the way back to moses and joshua. he’s saying, “didn't you give us this land? didn’t you do miracles that got us here in the first place?” he recalls all the ways that GOD has worked in the past and he’s saying, “i know who you are and i know what you’ve done in the past.”

3. ask GOD for help now.

look at what he says in verse 12a (nlt), o GOD, won’t YOU stop them.

earlier, in verse 9, he mentions three kinds of situations – tragedies, physical needs and material needs. he says, “none of this is too hard for YOU. YOU’ve helped us in the past, so do it again!”

his prayer is actually built around three questions: are you not? did you not? will you not?
“are YOU not GOD? YOU’re in charge.” yes, YOU’re in charge and YOU’re big enough to handle it.
“did YOU not help us in the past?” yes. YOU did help us in the past.
“will YOU not do it again?” yes, YOU’ll do it again.

no matter what the situation is remind yourself first who GOD is, remind yourself what HE’s done, ask GOD to do it again and once you’ve done that now you’re ready to talk about your problem.

just a thought from the front porch…