7 Ways to handle difficult challenges in our lives

Many times trouble comes to our lives when we are un prepared. This may create panic in us while we look for ways to resolve the problem. Some people may become paralyzed with fear while others look for a scapegoat to blame for their misfortune.

David’s reaction when attacked by the Amalekites as reported in 1 Samuel chapter 30 reveals the best way to handle difficult challenges. David and his men in this particular incidence were not home when the unprecedented attack happened. They had gone to fight with the Philistines who turned them back because they did not trust David who had previously fought with Israel against them.

David was in exile at this time and lived with his men in the city of Ziklag, a Philistine territory, which the Philistine king Achish had bestowed on David and his men because David had found favor with him (1 Samuel 27: 5-7). David’s exile had been forced by King Saul’s threat on his life because of Saul’s insecurities.

They arrived back in Ziklag on the third day after being rejected by the Philistines to a scary scenario. The Amalekites had raided Ziglag, burnt it down and taken captive the women and anyone else they found there. “David and his men came to the city, and there it was, burned with fire; and their wives, their sons, and their daughters had been taken captive” 1 Samuel 30: 3. So what do you do caught up in such a situation?

1) Express your emotions
It was a distressing moment and seemingly a hopeless situation. David and his men wept together “until they had no more power to weep” but the situation turned to be more distressing for David because “ the people spoke of stoning him” 1 Samuel 30: 5- 6. The men caught up in grief looked for a scapegoat for their misery instead of working together for a solution. Avoid looking for someone to blame or criticize for your predicament. It is useless to do so.

2) Find strength in the Lord
In the midst of all these David “strengthened himself in the Lord, his God” 1 Samuel 30: 6. David recognized that the Lord is our shepherd and a very pleasant help in times of need. Instead of focusing on who to blame or express his anger towards, David found his strength in the Lord. So instead of blaming others, recognize that nothing gets the Lord by surprise. Reach out to him in your weakness and He will strengthen you.

3) Enquire of the Lord
Consult the Lord on what to do before acting. The next thing that David did was to enquire of the Lord whether to pursue his enemies and the consequences of doing so (1 Samuel 30:7). The Lord answered David and said, “pursue for you shall surely overtake them and without fail recover all”1 Samuel 30:8. Do not be in rush to revenge but wait on the Lord and He will direct your path. Once you receive your answer, act as instructed.

Read more: http://www.bukisa.com/articles/373610_6-ways-to-handle-unprepared-attacks#ixzz15CHE6cpO