Are you Ready to Play Ball?
“I got fired,” my friend sobbed. “I don’t know what to do. It was totally unexpected. I never thought it could happen to me!”
She was barely holding it together. This new job seemed so promising. She had been excited and hopeful for months since she was offered the position in such a prestigious company.
And just like that, two weeks into it, she was let go.
“You’re not performing like we expected,” her supervisor said.
“But it’s been less than two weeks! Give me a chance!” she begged unsuccessfully.
What do you say to someone who’s been thrown a curve ball by life?
How do you comfort someone who’s just received a punch in the gut from life and is scared?
The Bible tells us in 2 Chronicles 2:20 about king Jehoshaphat who was about to be attacked by a vast army. He was terrified and decided to pray and fast about it.
The Lord told him “Be not afraid or dismayed at this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God’s.” (Vs.15) NIV
Furthermore, He said: “You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you…” (Vs.17)
But what does it look like in real life?
I’m sure there’re many interpretations for this text, but this is what the Lord spoke to my heart
I’m sure there’re many interpretations for this text, but this is what the Lord spoke to my heart.
1.Take up your positions-
- Early in the morning they left for the Desert of Tekoa… (Vs.20)
- We take our positions by keeping our eyes on Jesus and not our circumstances, problems, or disappointments.
- We give power to what we focus on, so instead of focusing on the facts (however bad they are), we declare the Truth of God’s Word and His promises.
- We thank Him for all the times He’s defended, protected, provided, and blessed us in the past
.2.Stand firm-
- Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the Lord and praise Him for the splendor of His holiness as they went out…saying “Give thanks to the Lord, for his love endures forever.” (Vs.21)
- Faith is not passive or reactive. It does not mean we sit in a chair watching mindless TV or scrolling down social media.
- We stand firm in our faith by not falling into the victim mentality, drowning in a pity-party, or singing the “why me?’’ song.
- Instead, we bring our petitions, fears, sadness, etc. to Jesus and surrender them at His feet, trusting in His faithfulness, loving-kindness, and mercy.
3. See the deliverance the Lord will give you-
- 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. 20,21-22)
- And then we wait to see God in action.
- Sometimes sooner and sometimes later than we want, the problem is resolved, the bills are paid, the family crisis subsides.
- Eventually we look back and understand how the door that was shut in our face allowed a better one to open, how the family crisis resulted in stronger relationships or how a bad medical report triggered a healthier lifestyle with physical and emotional benefits.
My friend called me a couple of weeks later.
“Guess what?” she said. “A position opened in a company that offered twice as much as I made before because they needed someone immediately. Since I didn’t have a job, I applied and was hired. I’m so excited!”
Right before my eyes, God’s Word came to life in my friend’s life. What a privilege!
What He does for one He does for all.
I invite you to try this strategy next time you’re thrown a curve ball by life and watch God make a homerun in your honor!
