What to Do When You Don't Know What to Do?

​Have you ever been in a situation where you didn’t know what to do? I have been there and so have you.
 
Millions and millions of people are there right now over the uncertainty of the deadly Coronavirus stalking the world and our nation.
 
Lately I have met with good, godly, sincere people who anxiously wonder what is happening and how it impacts the health and well-being of their families as well as the financial implications regarding their jobs, businesses and the overall national economy. Being quarantined in homes, social distancing and shut down business ratches up the sense of what do we do now.
 
Not knowing what to do when you need to know what to do can be very disconcerting, discouraging and depressing.
 
So what should we do when we don’t know what to do?
 
Take your Bible and thoroughly study II Chronicles 20. I mean really get after it. Dig deep into this inspiring passage. Jehoshaphat, King of Judah, was hemmed in and being harassed by three hate-filled, arch enemy armies. Suddenly surrounded on all sides by a massive military machine bent on his nation’s annihilation (verses 1-2), Jehoshaphat, stressed and distressed, confessed he felt powerless.
 
In a time of severe, sudden crisis, Jehoshaphat wasn’t sure what to do. And yet, the king did know what to do when he didn’t know what to do. “O our God, will you not judge them? For we are powerless before this great multitude who are coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are on Thee.”  II Chronicles 20:12
 
Jehoshaphat took his eyes off his enemies and looked to the Lord. “Our eyes are on Thee” was the king’s response to his powerless position. Fear gave way to faith (verse 3). Instead of panicking, Jehoshaphat prayed. Surrounded and somewhat terrified, Jehoshaphat knew to turn his attention to the Lord. He called all the people to fast and pray (verses 3-5, 13). The king laid out his pressing and perplexing situation before God. Then he waited with as much patience as he could muster up (verses 6-12).
 
I don’t know about you, but I love this guy. Jehoshaphat is so human. I can identify with him and his dilemma. What I admire about this king is that while under a life and death attack, his attitude and action was astounding and outstanding.  I want to learn to respond to life like he did.
 
Not knowing what to do about the enemy armies, Jehoshaphat knew to look to the One who reminded him through the prophet Jahaziel that “the battle is not yours, but God’s.” (Verse 15).
 
Sometimes you and I don’t know what to do because we think the battle belongs to us. We try to figure things out on our own and fight a fight that God wants to fight for us. 
           
The Spirit of the Lord, through Jahaziel, directed Jehoshaphat what to do when he didn’t know what to do (verses 14-22).
 

• STATION yourselves. Don’t be afraid or discouraged. You won’t have to fight. God will battle for you. Hurry to your posts and prepare to witness what God will do for you.

 

• STAND strong and tall. Don’t cower or retreat. Don’t waffle. Take your stand and stand before the Living God who is going to take a stand for you.

 

• SEE the salvation of the Lord for you. Get ready. Stay wide awake. God is going to save and deliver you. He will make a way where there seems to be no way, and you will see it with your own eyes! 

 

• SING and shout God’s praises. The people worshipped God with praise and singing. They even sent the praise singers ahead of the army to the battlefield.

 
So what happened? What needed to happen happened.
 
In response to Jehoshaphat’s faith, God routed the enemy, destroyed them, and Judah collected the spoil (all of the enemies possessions and goodies!). Jehoshaphat and Judah returned triumphantly to Jerusalem. As they rejoiced in the Lord, the surrounding nations took note and feared them and their God. Then Judah had rest (peace) on all of their borders.  
 
Life’s battles belong to the Lord and life changes when God steps in.
 
What To Do The Next Time You Don’t Know What To Do
 
 1. Turn your eyes from circumstances to Christ.
 
            “Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith…” Hebrews 12:3
 
 2. Refuse to panic. Choose to pray and praise God!
 
               “And when they began singing and praising, the Lord set ambushes and                             the sons of Amon were routed.”                                      II Chronicles 20:22
 
3. Do all you can do and trust God to do what He can do!
           
            “When the disciples had prayed, they were filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke     the word of God with boldness.”                                                            Acts 4:31
 
 4. Stand by and watch God do His thing.
             
            “And Moses said to the people, “Do not fear! Stand by and see the salvation of     the Lord that He will accomplish for you today.”                              Exodus 14:13
           
5. Reap the benefits of God working on your behalf.
 
            “And they were three days taking the spoil because there was so much.”
                                                                                                              II Chronicles 20:25
 
My friend, you may not be surrounded by three invading armies right now, but it might feel like it. Wondering what to do next is normal and valid. There are many people like you who feel overwhelmed by circumstances beyond their control. The good news is this: It is possible to OVERCOME when feeling OVERWHELMED! What God did for Jehoshaphat, He will do for you and me.
 
You and I CAN DO SOMETING when we don’t know what to do. We can focus our faith, calm our fears and look to God to show us what to do.
 
“Therefore, take up the full armor of God, that you may be able to resist in the evil day, AND HAVING DONE EVERYTHING, TO STAND FIRM.”                     Ephesians 6:13
 
A Word For Your Week: Do what you know to do when you don’t know what to do!