Introduction
We all face challenges as we cope with these perilous times. Today’s post coaches us on how to do so. It was written by our friend Terri Brown, a seasoned prophetic intercessor, but also one who possesses the pastoral heart of Jesus, the great Shepherd. Terri and her husband, Jack, Pastor a wonderful congregation in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Her title is:
Coping with Difficult Times
Bonnie, our two-and-a-half year old granddaughter, who is usually determined to keep up with her 5 older siblings and twin brother, was in our backyard playing in the snow. She wanted something, so she started crying and complaining. Grandpa Jack started explaining that big girls talk and say what they want and don’t need to scream and cry. He continued to explain to her that babies cry to get their way. He asked, “Don’t you want to be a big girl?” She looked up at grandpa and firmly stated, “I want to be a baby.”
We all laughed, but then a little later, I was contemplating the many tumultuous situations in our world and feeling a little overwhelmed by it all. I saw that I had the same choice: either cry and complain or use my voice.
It is easy to get discouraged with what we are seeing in the newsfeed concerning our nation or other nations, or by what we are encountering closer to home. In each case, we, like Bonnie, have a choice. We can 1) Use our voices to seek the Lord, make requests, declare His purposes, release wisdom, and, when necessary, advocate for the hurting. Or…
2) In contrast, when things seem uncertain or desperate, we can choose to step into a place of avoidance, putting our heads in the sand and avoiding any responsibility to become involved. Many of us have well-worn paths to our place of avoidance. As Alicia Britt Chole states in 40 Days of Decrease, “Uncertainty is quite revealing. The unknown triggers different reactions in different hearts and exposes our souls’ defaults. Ambiguity reveals where we instinctively go to feel the illusion of security again. In response to a yet-unnamed but imminent storm, some hide, some run, some live in denial, some escape into fictional worlds, some feast, and some stake out their territory.”(1)
3) A third choice is that we can resort to inappropriately attempting to control the situation. In Mark’s gospel, Jesus brought up the topic of His death and resurrection again with His disciples, “…the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and to the scribes; and they will condemn Him to death and deliver Him to the Gentiles; and they will mock Him, and scourge Him, and spit on Him, and kill Him. And the third day He will rise again” (Mark 10:33-34 NKJV). I am sure the disciples felt great concern for Jesus, but also probably felt concerned and uncertain about their own futures.
It’s interesting to see the response of James and John in verses 35-38. First, the two brothers come to Him and say, “Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask.” Doesn’t that sound like a little child, “Mom, will you say yes to what I’m going to ask you?” I am kind of scared to ask, so I am going to try to control your answer before I do so. In the face of uncertainty, we often try to control God and others. James and John couldn’t control what was going to happen to Jesus or themselves, so they asked if they could sit “one on your right and the other on your left in your glory.” They sought as much security as they could by asking to be closest to Him when all the dust settled.
As believers, and especially as intercessors, it is vital that we acknowledge our feelings about what is occurring, but we must not step into a place of control or avoidance. When we face a difficult personal situation, we may experience great pain as we grapple with the problem and pray about it. This can be difficult, but we must do so and also acknowledge these feelings. At times, we may need to repent of wanting to control God or people. Acknowledging that we want to head down the paths of avoidance or inappropriate control may prevent us from taking these fruitless trips. We should beware of the common temptation of just wanting to be a baby, like Bonnie, and let someone else take care of it. We have the power to choose and can, by the grace of God, step up and use our voices as the Lord leads us.
The Psalmist in Psalm 131 states: “God, I’m not trying to rule the roost, I don’t want to be king of the mountain. I haven’t meddled where I have no business or fantasized grandiose plans. I’ve kept my feet on the ground, I’ve cultivated a quiet heart. Like a baby content in its mother’s arms, my soul is a baby content” (Psalm 131:2-3 MSG).
When we position ourselves in a place of trust-generated contentment, we don’t have to hear over internal chaos and turmoil. We’ve quieted our hearts, enabling us to press into the Lord and seek Him regarding our role in these tumultuous times. We shouldn’t immediately go to war, saying all the prayers we can think of, but from a place of calm trust, we must listen in order to come into agreement with what the Lord is saying about the situation.
We should all acknowledge that we are tempted to walk down these avoidance and control trails. But we should also determine that in this critical season of uncertainty, we are going to press into Jesus and trust Holy Spirit to guide us into what the Lord desires or requires.
I also find it helpful to rehearse the faithfulness of the Lord in my and in others’ lives. Rehearse His past faithfulness toward your family, church, city, and your nation. Agree with Lamentations 3:22-25 (NLT): “The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is His faithfulness; His mercies begin afresh each morning. I say to myself, The Lord is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in Him! The Lord is good to those who depend on Him, to those who search for Him.” Recite His faithfulness until you sense faith arising, then declare the Lord’s faithfulness and your trust in Him.
Next, seek the truth concerning what you are feeling overwhelmed about. You might do this by waiting on the Lord and hearing His perspective. You might research whether the report that has upset you is accurate. Talk to trusted people who might have more information. Listen to others who are praying. What are their prayer strategies?
This may not bring all the answers you desire, but you’ll be able to embrace the mystery and press into the One who knows all. Mystery is part of this walk with Jesus. When we encounter mystery, it is an ideal time to press back into Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith. Our prayers may be a simple, “I trust You, Lord. I’m not sure what You are doing in this season, but I choose to trust You. Show me how to pray.”
Whether your assignment is to pray for a nation across the globe or a person in your own family, be courageous and resolve to be bold and partner with the Lord in these strategic times.
Pray with me:
Father, You have told us that keeping our minds fixed on You brings perfect peace. (Isaiah 26:3-4). In the New Testament, You said to let Your peace rule - act as the umpire (brabevo)(2) in our hearts (Colossians 3:15). In these tumultuous times, remind us to walk in Your peace and allow it to rule our thoughts and decisions.
Wars rage, evil rulers make threats, riots and violence occur on our streets, but You are not unaware of nor perplexed by these things. Your omniscience and foreknowledge are always at play, allowing You to see the end from the beginning (Isaiah 46:10). In difficult times, we will wait upon You, find Your direction, and pray accordingly.
We will NOT fear evil reports; our hearts are fixed, steadfast, trusting always in You (Psalm 112:7). As intercessors, remind us to always operate from our position seated with You.
During this challenging season of change, we ask You to lead President Trump and his team as they deal with Russia, Iran, China, the Greenland situation, the unrest in Minnesota, and many other challenging situations they find themselves having to navigate. Continue to fan the flames of revival, causing it to break out across our land. Let this 250th anniversary of America be a year of rededicating this land to You. All of this we pray in Jesus’ name, amen.
Our decree:
We decree that during this season, we will walk in the knowledge of God, be strong, and, as He leads, take action in prayer (Daniel 11:32)!
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Today’s post was contributed by our friend Terri Brown. You can find out more about her at TerriBrown.live.
Alicia Britt Chole, 40 Days of Decrease: A Different Kind of Hunger, (Nashville, TN: W Publishing [an imprint of Thomas Nelson]), p. 44.
James Strong, The New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1990), ref. no. 1018.