When Trouble Comes
What do you do when trouble comes?
Trouble has a way of showing up without an invitation. It can leave us afraid, overwhelmed, confused, and wondering what we’re going to do next.
In 2 Chronicles 20, King Jehoshaphat faced an overwhelming enemy and an impossible situation. But instead of relying on his own strength, he sought the Lord. Instead of focusing on the size of the enemy, he focused on the greatness of God. And instead of rushing ahead, he learned to stand still and wait on God.
In this week’s ScriptureLinks Daily Dose of Inspiration, we’ll ask three important questions:
1. When trouble comes, who do you turn to?
2. When trouble comes, what do you focus on?
3. When trouble comes, do you wait on God?
The answer to trouble isn’t always another plan, another resource, or another person.
Sometimes the answer is simply to remember who God is.
When we don’t know what to do, we can still look to the One who does.
“For the battle is not yours, but God’s.” — 2 Chronicles 20:15 KJV
If you’re facing trouble today, this message is for you.
Key Takeaways
- Trouble often shows up uninvited in our lives, leaving us feeling afraid, overwhelmed, and confused.
- When facing trouble, we must learn to follow King Jehoshaphat's example in 2 Chronicles 20 by seeking the Lord instead of relying solely on our own strength.
- Shifting our focus from the size of our problems to the greatness of God changes our perspective during difficult seasons.
- Instead of rushing ahead with our own plans when facing trouble, we are called to stand still and wait on God.
- The ultimate reminder when we do not know what to do is that the battle belongs to God, not us.
When Trouble Comes, Who Do You Turn To?
Jehoshaphat was facing an enemy he couldn’t defeat on his own.
His response is found in 2 Chronicles 20:3:
“And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the LORD…”
Fear came first—but seeking God came next.
The question isn’t whether trouble will come.
The question is where we’ll turn when it does.
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Point 1 — Who Do You Turn To?
Jehoshaphat didn’t begin by assembling an army.
He began by seeking the Lord.
2 Chronicles 20:4
“And Judah gathered themselves together, to ask help of the LORD…”
Trouble reveals where our confidence really is.
When everything is going well, it’s easy to say we trust God.
But when the situation becomes bigger than our ability to control it, our response reveals where we’re placing our trust.
When trouble comes, turn toward God—not away from Him.
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Point 2 — What Do You Focus On?
Jehoshaphat acknowledged the enemy, but he didn’t allow the enemy to become bigger than God.
Look at his prayer in 2 Chronicles 20:12:
“…neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon thee.”
What a powerful statement.
“We don’t know what to do—but our eyes are upon You.”
You may not know what to do.
You may not know how the situation will work out.
You may not know what tomorrow holds.
But you can still decide where you will look.
Don’t let the size of your problem determine the size of your faith.
Keep your eyes on God.
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Point 3 — Do You Wait On God?
God’s answer to Judah was remarkable.
2 Chronicles 20:15 says:
“…Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God’s.”
And then came the instruction:
“Stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD…”
Sometimes God tells us to move.
Sometimes God tells us to act.
But sometimes God tells us:
Stand still.
Waiting isn’t doing nothing.
Waiting on God means trusting Him enough not to run ahead of Him.
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7. The Big Takeaway
When trouble comes:
Turn to God.
Focus on God.
Wait on God.
You may not know what to do.
But you can know who does.
And you may not be able to fight the battle yourself.
But you can trust the God who fights for His people.
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8. Application Questions
- When trouble comes into your life, what is your first response?
- Is your first instinct to worry, take control, seek someone else—or seek God?
- What situation are you currently facing that feels bigger than you?
- What are you focusing on right now: the problem or the God who is bigger than the problem?
- What does “our eyes are upon thee” mean in your current situation?
- Is there an area where God may be asking you to stop striving and wait on Him?
- What would it look like for you to trust God with the outcome?
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9. Short Prayer
Heavenly Father,
When trouble comes, help us to turn to You.
When fear comes, help us to focus our eyes on You.
When we don’t know what to do, help us to trust You enough to wait on You.
Remind us that we don’t have to fight every battle in our own strength. Give us faith to stand still, courage to trust You, and patience to wait for Your direction.
Help us remember that the battle belongs to You.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
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10. Key Verse — KJV
“For the battle is not yours, but God’s.”
— 2 Chronicles 20:15 KJV
Key Thought:
You may be facing the battle, but you don’t have to face it alone.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do when facing trouble?
When facing trouble, follow the example in 2 Chronicles 20 by turning to God, focusing on His greatness instead of your problems, and waiting patiently on Him.
What Bible verse helps when dealing with overwhelming problems?
2 Chronicles 20:15 offers great comfort by reminding us, 'For the battle is not yours, but God’s.'
How can I stop feeling overwhelmed when life gets hard?
Instead of focusing on the size of the enemy or your circumstances, intentionally fix your eyes on the greatness and power of God.
