Some days it feels as if the world is going come crashing down all around me. It takes all the resolve I can gather to walk into the office and face another day of issues and stress. Then the school calls with yet another concern about my child and I worry how we’ll ever get this one through the school year. I come home to fighting kids. Voices are raised as we struggle to get homework done. The pain starts to kick in from being on my ailing feet all day, but I know I have to push on through the evening’s activities. And on it continues…
What about you?
Do you feel like you’re surrounded by struggles, battling on all fronts of your life?
What if instead you were surrounded by God?
When You Feel Surrounded
In 2 Kings 6:8-17, we see the King of Aram enraged that the prophet Elisha has had knowledge of his troop’s movements and warned the King of Israel time and again to avoid falling into the Aramean’s traps. He’s so angry that he sends an army to capture Elisha. This large force with horses and chariots surround the city where Elisha is staying. (2 Kings 6:13-14)
Elisha’s servant saw the army surrounding them when he woke early that morning. He’s in a panic, unsure what to do or how they’ll escape this. He knows they are surrounded and can’t imagine how they could possible fight this one. Surely they are doomed. (2 Kings 6:15)
Elisha knows better, though. He knows that even though the enemy surrounds them and they could easily be overwhelmed by this force, God is still in control. In fact, Elisha is surrounded by even larger force of God’s heavenly army sent to protect him. (2 Kings 6:16)
He prays for God to open his servant’s eyes, so he may also see God’s army of angels. The servant looks again over the city walls and sees the hills filled with horses and chariots of fire, a force even larger and more powerful than the Arabian army. (2 Kings 6:17)
15 When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. “Oh no, my lord! What shall we do?” the servant asked.
2 Kings 6:15-17 (NIV)
16 “Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”
17 And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.
You Are Surrounded by God
You are surrounded by God, even when you don’t see him. When the battles of your life seem to be closing in and surrounding you on all sides, look up and see God by your side.
Look past the problems, pressures, and people bringing you down and see God surrounding you with his presence and protection.
Hear God whispering to you, “Do not be afraid. Open your eyes, my child, and see the great company of heaven surrounding you. Run your race with perseverance and trust that I’ll be by your side.”
“The opening of our eyes will be the silencing of our fears. In the
Matthew Henrydark we are most apt to be frightened. The clearer sight we have of the sovereignty and power of heaven the less we shall fear the calamities of this earth.”
Fight Your Battles with Praise and Thanksgiving
When I’m overwhelmed by the battles of this life and feeling surrounded by struggles, I need to turn to God and focus on him instead of the problems.
Instead of giving in to the stress and overwhelm of the problems surrounding me on all sides, I’ll stop and pray instead.
- In the parking lot before I walk into work, I’ll pray.
- In the bathroom, crying over yet another tough phone call from the school or a doctor, I’ll pray.
- In my room, taking a ‘mommy time out’ after getting too worked up over sibling fights and homework struggles, I’ll pray.
- In the evening, after a long day, I’ll pray.
- As I put the kids to bed, I’ll pray.
Pray for God to open your eyes to see him in your life, at work surrounding you and supporting you in these battles.
Praise God for who he is, reminding yourself of his power and might.
Give thanks for all the ways he is faithful and good, taking specific note of the ways you’ve seen him at work in your own life.
Fight the enemies by shifting your focus to God. Like Elisha’s servant, take heart and do not be afraid. Don’t give in to panic, but instead open your eyes to see God in your life.
How Will You Face Your Battles Today?
What enemies are surrounding you today?
How are you facing them? What is the state of your heart? Where are you turning for help?
Will you look up and see beyond those problems? Look for God’s support and all the ways he is surrounding you.
Pray over your struggles, in particular focusing your heart on praising God and giving thanks.
Prayer of Praise in the Battle
Heavenly Father, Lord God Almighty, the Creator and Perfecter of all things. I raise my voice in praise to you today. For you are all-powerful, all-knowing, ever-present. You thoughts are wider than my thoughts, you see all things from beginning to end and you know my life’s story already. You are bigger than any enemy I’m facing today. You love me and are by my side, no matter what trials I face in this life. Though I walk through the darkest valley, I will not fear for you are with me. You will protect and comfort me. You have prepared a table for me, even in the presence of my enemies. You goodness and mercy follow me all the days of my life. You are my good shepherd and that is all I need. Lord, thank you for loving me and surrounding me with your presence. Carry me through these battles. In the name of your Son Jesus Christ, I pray, Amen.
Surrounded – a 14-Day Devotional to Fight Your Battles with Praise
Are you in a stormy season? Want to learn how to put your praise into action, even when life is hard?
Take this study even deeper in the Surrounded Devotional – a 14-day study on how to fight your battles with praise.
Learn how to fight your battles by praising God through Surrounded – a 14-days of study and prayer.
- Study 2 Kings 6:8-17, 2 Chronicles 20, and Psalm 34.
- Learn how God is with you in the battle.
- Explore ways to praise God in the storm.
- Dive deep into why praising God is your most powerful weapon.
- Develop your own battle plan of praise.
Surrounded: a 14-Day Devotional to Fight Your Battles with Praise is available in both digital and printed booklet forms. Plus, you get a bonus set of printable prayer and Scripture cards.
Click here to get your copy of the Surrounded Devotional today!
Go Deeper with One of Our Devotional Studies:
Prepare Your Heart – Lenten Devotional
Surrounded Devotional
The Prayer Toolbox
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Deborah J Genn says
Thank you. I really needed this today.
Maria says
Oh my this was right on time. I so needed this. May God bless you!
Elizabeth says
I am going through this battle for over two years and it seems to be getting worst people using this evil against me don’t know what kind of witchcraft they are using but these are the things that are affecting me in my head, stomach, right leg and even in my vagina but despite my trial I believe God is in control no matter what the situation I believe he still do miracle, he still delivered and I will never stop praising and worshipping in him.