Read (from the New Living Translation)

¹² O our God, won’t you stop them? We are powerless against this mighty army that is about to attack us. We do not know what to do, but we are looking to you for help.”

2 Chronicles 20:12

Go Deep

Carlos from the Carlos & Joy Show shares how this verse turned into a prayer for him and his wife.

“I. CAN’T. EVEN.”

If you’ve ever said this phrase, or felt it to be true, you are not alone – And you wouldn’t be entirely incorrect.

It’s no secret that our lives seem to be getting more busy and day after day our world seems to be spinning out of control. Thankfully, as Christians, we know who is ALWAYS in control and we call Him “Father.”

In 2 Chronicles, Jehoshaphat and the people of Judah were in a terrible position. They were being attacked by an overwhelming enemy and felt powerless to defend themselves. Does this sound familiar? Being overwhelmed by something and feeling helpless?

I’ve experienced similar situations where I’ve felt that nothing could be done from a human perspective.
Just this year, my wife and I have navigated our first year of marriage, leaving family and friends to move across the country to a new community, a new church home, new jobs, and the loss of a new job, as well as the birth of our brand new baby boy.

While most of these events were blessings and we trusted God in them, at times it did feel like it was too much – that we couldn’t stomach one more massive change or another course correction – we were overwhelmed by life. Just like Jehoshaphat, we cried out to God with a simple prayer saying, “LORD, We do not know what to do” (2 Chronicles 20:12).

We believe that our God hears us and we trust that He cares. He is our present help in times of trouble and like Jehoshaphat, we look to God for hope and mercy.

This faith was a picture of the strength that comes from life in Christ and a testimony to our friends, family, and others. This simple prayer of “LORD, we do not know what to do” but trusting that He does, encouraged the people of Judah and our prayers can do the same for the people in our lives.

Notes from the Beyond Suffering Bible

When You Feel Overwhelmed – Jehoshaphat and the people of Judah were in a terrible position. They were being attacked by an overwhelming enemy and felt powerless to defend themselves. At times, we experience similar situations; we feel that nothing can be done from a human perspective. Jehoshaphat cried out, “We do not know what to do”; but actually he did—he looked to God for hope and mercy. His prayer encouraged his people. Our prayers can do the same.

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