WHAT TO DO WITH FEAR

• DAY 301
• FAITH FILE: JEHOSHAPHAT
• SCRIPTURES: 2 CHRONICLES 20:1-3

It happened after this that the people of Moab with the people of Ammon, and others with them besides the Ammonites, came to battle against Jehoshaphat. Then some came and told Jehoshaphat, saying, “A great multitude is coming against you from beyond the sea, from Syria; and they are in Hazazon Tamar” (which is En Gedi). And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah.

A great multitude, have you wondered how many people that is in reality? I did a Google search and I found out that it’s about 10,000 people based according to Jewish tradition. Now add “great” to that number and terror will grip anybody. That was the number of people that came to war against Jehoshaphat.

War would mean that if you lose, everything that you know is gone. If you survive you may lose your home, country, family, and freedom. Jehoshaphat was afraid. In this situation, he set himself and commanded the nation to seek the Lord in prayer and fasting.

You cannot underestimate the power of prayer and fasting to comfort your heart when you are afraid. We have talked about prayer so much in this devotional because it has to sink in that it is the most effective way to handle your fears. Because where else are you going to get help? You can’t get any lasting solution to a spirit from doctors, drugs, people’s advice, therapy, or your wisdom.

Spirit Not Symptom

All these things help with symptoms but they don’t handle a spirit. They don’t eliminate fear which is the root. Neither do they still your heart with peace so that you can hear the voice of God amid your fears. So when you find yourself afraid, what should you do? Do what Jehoshaphat did.

You set yourself to seek God with that fear and say, “Father, my heart is fearful, but I bring it to you.” God can take your fearful heart and turn it into a heart of courage. He can turn a heart that is overwhelmed by anxiety, into a heart of peace. That’s why He instructs you to pray if you are anxious. That’s what you do with your fear.

May the Spirit of the Lord remind you, in your most fearful moment that the place of your strength is at the foot of the cross. In the name of Jesus. Amen.

Take a moment right now and seek God about your fears by saying a short prayer.

Shalom.