Don’t Panic!

“We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on You” (2 Chronicles 20:12b, NIV).

Don’t panic! I told myself, but for a moment, I did.

My husband, Jeff, has been burdened with one health problem after another for almost ten years. As he told me his decision to go on disability, my mind swirled around all the possible struggles heading our way.

Should I teach full-time? It would never match his corporate salary. Would we need to sell things to pay the bills? Could we? Catching my breath, I remembered. This reaction was natural. Now I had a choice.

“We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on You,” I whispered a fretful prayer.

Are you struggling with panic? When you get unexpected news, does your mind run in ten directions, anticipating calamity? It’s challenging not to react in fear when life throws you curveballs.

King Jehoshaphat was surrounded by enemies. The Moabites, Ammonites, and Meunites had teamed up to attack his nation. He felt overwhelmed by circumstances out of his control. After the initial bad news, he wisely turned to the Lord.

When Jehoshaphat called out to God, the result was powerful!

-5 minutes is up!-

God responded to Jehoshaphat’s prayer. 

He told the king not to fear. This battle was God’s to fight. In response to Jehoshaphat’s desperate prayer, he experienced God’s presence in the battle. God turned the enemies against each other. 

Instead of fighting, the men of Judah worshipped God and then carried off plunder! They named the place where this catastrophe was avoided the Valley of Praise. All of the surrounding nations saw what happened and found new respect for God.

I look up from my Bible story, thinking about my family’s future. I offer up a cry for help, “Lord, we don’t know what to do about Jeff’s disability decision, but our eyes are on You!” Surprisingly, peace fills my lungs as I take a deep breath. My fingers unclench as I release control. My mind remembers what is true. The Lord is with us!

I realize that this “crisis” is a new opportunity to trust God. Maybe the people in my life will discover His power and love through our new chapter.

When you feel like problems are surrounding you hopelessly, panic is a normal first response. What you do next is your choice. Will you dwell on the potential disasters ahead, or will you cry out to the One who fights our battles gloriously?

Call out to God. “I don’t know what to do, Jesus, but my eyes are on You!”

Remind yourself about God’s promises and the times He has already helped you. Feel fresh courage rise in your heart as you fix your eyes on Jesus.

Go forward into the valley, singing songs of praise. Expect God to use your worst days for His best purposes. He wastes nothing! 

Lord, thank You for fighting for us. When we cry out to You, You hear and rescue us. You do more than get us through the crises. You use them to teach us about Your power and love. You are teaching us to look for You in every battle of life.