What to do when things go wrong
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Our daughter Kaiah began complaining about her ears a couple of months ago. “Mom, my ears feel full and plugged, and I can’t hear very well,” she said. So we made a doctor’s appointment. After she was checked out, we learned that her ears produce more wax than is typical. Even though her hygiene is good and she does her best to keep her ears clean, Kaiah’s earwax production isn’t something she can control on her own. It’s too much to handle.
So her primary physician did a procedure and extracted two big waxy globs from her left and right ear canals, and she was good as new… until several weeks later. Once again, Kaiah started complaining about her ears being plugged. Even though we had purchased an ear wax irrigation kit and she’d been using it successfully, it didn’t help.
Assuming this was another episode caused by earwax buildup, we went to see the good doc again. This time, however, we were shocked to discover Kaiah’s ears were clean as a whistle. No wax. The combined effects of her previous cleaning and the regular usage of the irrigation kit produced positive results. So why were her ears (and her nose) plugged up? Why did she sound congested and how come she was complaining of headaches?
Well, the doctor discovered that little Ms. Kaiah’s allergies were to blame and prescribed nasal spray. About a week after using the product daily, her symptoms vanished! She’s all clear now.
Although we couldn’t understand why she was having issues, after a fairly quick assessment, Kaiah’s doctor knew exactly what was going on and how to fix it—both times. Though the problem seemed complicated to us, it was simple for the physician to diagnose and correct.
This makes me think about our amazing God and how easy it is for Him to fix whatever it is that challenges us greatly. When things go wrong we often assume the worst and over-complicate things in our mind. Don’t do that. When things go haywire, when you don’t know what to do, go to the One who does. God is the source of everything, so ask Him for help and expect Him to show up in your circumstances.
Earlier today I was reading 2 Chronicles 20. In this chapter, the Moabites and Ammonites with some of the Meunites came to wage war against King Jehoshaphat and Judah. Jehoshaphat found out about the impending attack after people came and told him, “A vast army is coming against you.”
According to verse 3, when Jehoshaphat learned that a massive and strong alliance of soldiers were coming to put a hurting on Judah, he was “alarmed.” But despite his feelings, he didn’t panic. Instead, Jehoshaphat asked God what to do about the situation. He also called a fast, which was a common practice among the people of the nation of Israel. Whenever they were in mourning or urgently seeking answers from God, they would abstain from food and cry out to Him.
The Bible says the people of Judah responded from every town and according to verse 12, cried out to God, saying, “We have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.”
There it is, one of my favorite verses—2 Chronicles 20:12. I love it so much because it reminds me of what to do when things go wrong. What you do is shift your focus. You see, Judah changed their outlook. They adopted a new perspective. Rather than just freaking out over who or what was coming against them and trying to come up with a plan on their own, they ran to the One who was for them. That’s what you and I have to do.
Friend, if something is going wrong in your life right now, no matter how crazy it feels, know that God is able to alter the course of your destiny. He can change things for the better and cause situations to work out favorably. He’s allowing this test to teach you to get your eyes off the situation and focus on Him. Look to the Savior. When things go wrong, cast your cares upon the only One who can make them right. He will answer you just as He answered Jehoshaphat and all of Judah.
“There is a divine answer from Heaven that’s about to show up on your doorstep. God is informing you that a mighty deliverance is on the way! ”
God sent a word of prophecy through Jahaziel, the son of Zechariah, whose lineage was tied to the Levitical Priesthood. He said, “Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God’s.”
God also told Jehoshaphat, “You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord, who is with you, O Judah and Jerusalem! Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, for the Lord is with you.”
What an encouraging word! So the next day, just as God said, Jehoshaphat and Judah didn’t even have to lift a finger against their enemies. They worshiped and praised, and God defeated the adversary.
But that’s not where the good news ends. After the war was over, the spoils were so great, the Bible says there was “more than they could carry away.” In fact, it took them three days to get everything. Now that’s abundance and overflow! They went from not knowing how they would win the battle to not knowing how to carry away all the good stuff after they won the battle.
That’s what a divine turnaround looks like and you will experience that kind of shift if you continue trusting God. When things go wrong, remember Jehoshaphat and Judah. Tell God, I don’t know what to do, but my eyes are on You. When you look to Him, He responds. He delivers. He sets free. He heals. He renews. He restores. He fights for you. He releases showers of blessings and favor. You might not see it at the moment, but there is a circumstance-shifting season on the way.
Something good is about to happen to you and for you. I know the enemy may be attacking you, but as long as you take refuge in God, He will protect and prosper you.
To remind you of this truth, I’m stirring Psalm 31:19 NIV into your cup of inspiration, which says, “How abundant are the good things that you have stored up for those who fear you, that you bestow in the sight of all, on those who take refuge in you.”
As you drink down the contents of cup, rejoice in knowing that, because you have placed your hope in God, there is an abundance of good things in store for you. You have taken refuge in His name and He will deliver you. Believe it. Own it. Anticipate the manifestation of it.
It may not look like it now, but just as He did with Jehoshaphat and Judah, God is going to spoil the enemy’s plan and give you the spoils of war.
Although things have been going wrong and Satan has used mighty weapons against you, your weapons are mightier, and our God is greater!
Now let’s pray.
God, thank You for assuring me that, even though I see bad things happening, good things are on the way. Today I ask for Your divine help. My eyes are focused on You. As your word says in Psalm 34:1, You are my refuge and strength, a very present help in the time of trouble. By faith, I expect and receive my deliverance, and breakthrough. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
As always, thanks for reading and until next time... may today's cup of inspiration uplift, encourage, and empower you!
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