As a young husband, father, and youth pastor, I hit a major bump in the road. After Pam and I had spent six years working with students at a Denver church, the leadership decided to make a change. They implemented a six-month review and eventually decided to replace the youth staff. It was the biggest challenge Pam and I had encountered in our lives up to that point. The entire six months was heart rending. We experienced, to some degree, what it’s like to be up against what feels like an impossible situation.

Jehoshaphat, an Old Testament king of Judah, was once up against his own impossible situation—something beyond his experience, competency, and capacity. An alliance of three powerful foes, the Moabites, Ammonites, and some Meunites were coming to Judah to make war. In this situation, Jehoshaphat showed amazing dependence upon God. Jehoshaphat’s postures of faith can help give us a picture of how to seek God in faith and leadership as we face “impossible situations.” The postures help us experience victory in the Kingdom.

Jehoshaphat’s first posture is seen in 2 Chronicles 20:12:
“O our God, will you not judge them? 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 upon you” (NIV).

The first posture: Humbled Hearts

For many of us, when we find ourselves up against a challenge, our natural inclination is to try harder, attack those who are causing us trouble, or come up with a plan—any plan. What if we saw each challenge as an opportunity to humble ourselves and admit that our thoughts and answers are nothing compared to the answers and guidance we might receive from God?

What is challenging you beyond your abilities and resources? What do you need to pray and bring to God for His involvement and power instead of trying to handle it yourself?