sometimes i want to punch people in the face.

man. life is tough in the moment. and, ya know, sometimes i really really really want to punch people in the face. but i can't. cause that would be crazy...

okay, i'm just being real here. it's human nature to let our anger get carried away. but as christians, it's definitely not okay to just go around and punch people in the face all the time. we are supposed to be the light of the world, right?! we're supposed to share Christ's love & compassion, no?! so, what are we going to do in the moment when our flesh is so carried away and we just want to punch someone in the face??

in 2 chronicles 20:1-23, we see that jehoshaphat, who we will call JT, is in a bit of a sticky situation. there are multiple people coming to wage war against him {i just sat and read this story over and over again- don't we all feel like this sometimes?! for most of us, no one is actually waging a war against us, but it sure does feel that way sometimes} & he handles it so well!! even if people aren't physically or emotionally waging a war against us, the silly devil is always out to find a way to trip us up {1 peter 5:8-9}.

Okay- so here's what he does:
1. as soon as he is alarmed, the first thing he does is resolve {to make an earnest decision, to be determined to do something} to seek the Lord.
"alarmed, JT resolved to inquire of the Lord.." vs 3a

2. he proclaims a fast
"...and he proclaimed a fast for all judah." vs 3b
this does two things: 1. it joins people together. when we are struggling, we need other people to help us, to pray with us. 2. it humbles you before God, which in turn, gives you peace {1 peter 5:6-7}

3. prayed in assembly
"then JT stood up in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem ... and said ..."
>>JT tells the Lord, and his companions, his struggles and his faith.
"if calamity comes upon us... we will stand in your presence before this temple that bears your name and will cry out to you in our distress, and you will hear us and save us. 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." vs 9&12
>>two things i love about this: 1. how much faith JT has. i mean, whoa- 2. sharing with people what you're struggling with & what you need is one of the best things you can do when you are struggling.

4. he does what the Lord asks
"do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. go out to face them tomorrow and the Lord will be with you. have faith in the Lord your God and you will be upheld; have faith in his prophets and you will be successful. as they began to sing and praise, the Lord set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated." vs 17, 20, 22

in the end, they win and they go home and praise the Lord. in verse 29, it says that all the surrounding kingdom --- when we resolve to seek after the Lord, join in praying with others, and listen & act  to what the Lord tells us, He is glorified through us. And {hopefully} no one gets smacked in the face.

{{you can see another example of a tough situation handled well in 1 samuel 23:1-14 when David relies on the Lord to guide his steps in dealing with saving a city.}}

{{linking up with oak and oats & A Harvest of Blessing & home of malones}}