What Should I Do When the Walls are Closing In? Read 2 Chronicles 20:1-30 |
Purpose: All of us at times either have faced or will face personal crises. Circumstances like this strike at the core of our being – physical, spiritual, and emotional. The Bible is a great comfort to us any time, but especially during difficult times. This lesson provides a way to deal with our problems that is methodical, scriptural, and effective. (You may want to save this for future reference.) |
Step 1: Recall God’s Promises The first place to turn to is to the Bible. Get your attention off of your problem and on to God. Read and meditate upon God’s promises and how God has solved problems in the past. This has a vastly therapeutic effect. Examples of God's promises: |
| Deuteronomy 31:6 | Psalm 55:22 | Isaiah 26:3-4 | Romans 8:28 |
| Psalm 23:1-6 | Psalm 56:3-4 | Isaiah 40:31 | 1 Corinthians 10:13 |
| Psalm 30:4-5 | Psalm 68:19-20 | Isaiah 41:10 | Philippians 4:6-7 |
| Psalm 34:4,7,19 | Psalm 91:1-6; 11-12 | Isaiah 43:2 | Philippians 4:13,19 |
| Psalm 37:3-5,18-25 | Psalm 103:1-5 | Matthew 28:19-20 | James 1:2-5 |
| Psalm 46:1 | Proverbs 3:5-6 | John 14:27 | Revelation 21:4 |
| Read your Bible regularly, not just when you have a crisis. Memorize scripture verses. That way, when a crisis arises, you can immediately draw upon the comforting words of scripture, and you will be better equipped to deal with those difficult situations when they occur. |
Step 2: Put Your Trust in God through Prayer Confess your sins to God (1 John 1:8-9). Then, ask God to take care of the problem. Trust God to act (Proverbs 3:5-6). Ask God to take care of the problem according to God's will, not your own (1 John 5:14-15). Pray that God will be glorified in this circumstance (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). |
Step 3: Solicit Prayer Support from other Christians Other Christians can bring you much encouragement by praying with you or for you. Share your need with others, and ask for their prayers. When you are “down,” others can pray from strength and lift you up. “Plug in” with one or more small groups of Christians, for example, a Bible study or prayer group, or a fellowship group. Small groups can provide you tremendous personal support (Matthew 18:19-20; Acts 4:23-31; Galatians 6:2; James 5:13-16). |
Step 4: Believe that God Will Act Keep the faith. Remember that you have prayed. Keep on praying. Don’t give up. Feed your faith, not your doubts. Whichever one you feed will grow (Luke 18:1-5; Mark 9:23; Mark 10:27; John 14:12-14; Psalm 37:5; Hebrews 11:6; James 5:16). |
Step 5: Testify Publicly to the Results that God Provides Tell others how God answered your prayers. By this, you will encourage other people. Jesus expects you to “go public” with your testimony about his work in your life – that God may be glorified (Matthew 10:32; Mark 5:18-20; Psalm 66:16). |
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Praise God that God's word never passes away (Matthew 24:35)! We can always count on God to help us through difficult times. God's promises are true and everlasting. |
Mr. Whitney V. Myers |
Copyright 1980 Whitney V. Myers, Email: Whitney@Whitneytunes.com. This material may be reproduced for not-for-sale applications. Please include this copyright notice. 8April2018 |