Apr 08
Today’s Truth
“For 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.”
2 Chronicles 20:12
Friend to Friend
In life, it’s often said the question is not “Will trouble come?” – but rather “When?”
Trouble typically arrives unannounced. It comes in many forms: a job loss, an unfaithful spouse, a broken friendship, etc. For my family it came in the form of a diagnosis—an autoimmune disease that decided to 
attack my then-11-year-old daughter’s thyroid gland. It sent her heart racing, her weight dropping, her body trembling, and caused a great deal of her hair to fall out. It was downright frightening!
When your own immune system decides you are the enemy, how do you fight against that?
In the second book of Chronicles, we find the nation of Judah to be up against a mighty foe as well. A vast group of armies, intent on wiping God’s chosen people off the map of civilization, was headed their way. Under the leadership of God-honoring and quick-acting King Jehoshaphat, God trumped trouble that day and Judah came out the victor.
No stranger to trouble myself, the Lord has taught me to employ King Jehoshaphat’s wise method of facing the cares and concerns that come into my own life—especially the ones that seem poised to completely undo me.
King Jehoshaphat, upon hearing the news of what seemed to be impending doom, lost no time instituting a fast and calling on the Lord in prayer. In his prayers, the king reminded the Lord of his many promises. When my sweet girl fell ill, I followed suit. In prayer, with fasting, I cried out for the Lord to heal my daughter, and I reminded him that he was, indeed, the Healer (Jehovah Rapha) and the One capable of curing all diseases (Psalm 103:3).
In response to Jehoshaphat’s imploring, the Lord then reminded him of something which I have needed to remind myself of in times of trouble: “Do not be afraid or discouraged…You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you.” (2 Chronicles 20:15b, 17a)
The “positions” that King Jehoshaphat and the people of Judah took began with them on their knees in worship. Following this, the people rose to their feet in praise to the Lord—in a VERY LOUD voice. I have decided that these two positions (or postures) will be my “go-to” act of warfare each and every time trouble finds its way to my doorstep.
Before the men of Judah could place one foot on the battlefield, the Lord had already finished the fight—having caused the approaching armies to fight and annihilate one another! My daughter’s battle, which pitted her thyroid gland against her own immune system, lasted for two long years. When she finally achieved a state of remission through medication, it only lasted for two months…because it was then that the Lord decided to step in and HEAL her completely! Her body became rid of all evidence that the disease ever existed—a highly unusual occurrence, her doctor remarked.
Let’s Pray
Thank you, Jesus, for entering our battlefields ahead of us, your children. Lord, we commit to worship and praise You in both bountiful and trying times. While our human emotion of fear is natural, it’s what we do about it that can lead us into the realm of the SUPERNATURAL.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.
Now It’s Your Turn
The next time you are faced with trouble, unleash Heaven’s power through prayer, fasting, worship and praise. Then stand back, ladies—and watch what your God will do on your behalf!
More from the Girlfriends
Click here to find out more about Lisa Morrone, PT. Lisa is a physical therapist, professor, author of six books, radio guest and event speaker who encourages people to “Get Healthy for Heaven’s Sake.” Visit Lisa’s website for more information and to sign up to receive her informative “Monday Morning Health Tips”!
Overcoming Overeating (Harvest House Publishers) is one of Lisa Morrone’s six books in her “Restoring Your Temple” health resource collection. These books are available on Amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com, or wherever books are sold.
Thank you for this message!
You’re most welcome, Cyndee! Glad you were ministered to.
What a beautiful devotion. Thank you for sharing your story. It hits home more than you could know. May God continue to speak to us through you! God bless and much success in your Christ journey. ~Mina
Thank you Mina–I love the saying that “God comforts us, not so that we can be comfortable, but so that He can be comforters.”
Amen Jesus. Such a great testament if you believe with all your heart Jesus is always there listening to us and by our side.
That He is, Irene!
Thanks for this wonderful encouragement. My daughter who is now 15 has Hashimoto’s. So I can relate. The Lord has kept her leaves in check so that she has not needed meds. I pray this remains the case. This post is such a wonderful reminded. The battle is the Lords. I am not alone. I need to remember to give Him worship and praise!!
My daughter’s faith was really solidified through that time. What Satan means for harm, God can turn for our advantage (and for our children’s).
Thank you for this devotion. It came at the perfect time for me. My son is battling cancer and has been for two years. Worship, prayer, and praise is what is getting me through. God is good!
Oh, Kim–the Lord’s arms are strong when we are weak. May He be your underpinning throughout what I pray is your son’s complete healing.
beautiful devotional & very inspiring. I remember well that time of crisis in your lives,and through it all your family never lost sight of keeping their eyes on Jesus . I had a similar experience when my daughter Allie was 20 weeks pregnant and was diagnosed with a large chest tumor.we had to wait til 6 weeks after she delivered my healthy firstborn granddaughter to find out that the tumor was not cancer. God is faithful !
Thanks, sweet friend! I remember praying for Allie during that scary time of “what if’s”. God is faithful always…and sometimes he answers our prayers in the way we want Him to.
Please pray for my dad. He loves to serve the Lord by witnessing and through music. He has been attacked with sickness that temporarily required a ventilator and feeding tube. Because of this he can’t talk (witness) he can’t play music nor sing. They at this time are trying to ween him fom the vent which would allow him to speak and eat again. Please pray through this process that his body will have peace and not panic and that he will feel the LoRd breathing His healing into his lungs.
Karen, I have just agreed with you in this prayer. May the Lord fully restore your dad, HIs servant.
Thank you so much for this devotional and reminder that God fights all our battles for us if we let him and trust in him! I love the scripture 2 Chronicles 20:15 …”Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours but God’s.”
Tina–Our battle fighter, He is!
Thank you so much for this message. I needed this today! My niece has been fighting Lupus for a long time. She has lost a kidney, both carotid glands, and 2 babies from the disease. She has had strokes, a heart attack, and brain lesions. She has been at death’s door and the doctors said she wouldn’t make it. Currently, she has broken ribs from coughing and the lesions are back in her brain. She needs surgery for acoustic neuromas on each side of her head. She has torn arteries (that have healed a bit) leading to her heart that make surgery out of the question. She is 30 years old. Please pray for her and her husband.
Susan, your niece has been through such suffering…it breaks my heart to hear of all she must endure. Jesus, we ask for your strong Presence to be this young woman’s source of strength as she walks this road. Be “holy glue” between her and her husband. Unite their hearts with yours. Amen.