WHAT TO DO WHEN EVERYTHING IS GOING WRONG

Message from Esther's Friends, Sunday, March 30, 2025

Psalm 37:24 Though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the LORD upholds his hand.

Psalm 25:2 O my God, in you I trust; let me not be put to shame; let not my enemies exult over me.

Psalm 37:25 I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging for bread.

Isaiah 46:4 Even to your old age I am he, and to gray hairs I will carry you. I have made, and I will bear; I will carry and will save.

• Announcing the title: WHAT TO DO WHEN EVERYTHING IS GOING WRONG:

Psalm 34:19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all. 20 He keeps all his bones; not one of them is broken.

In a Comedy, the question isn't whether the righteous one will make it through, but how.

But sometimes life seems to play tricks on us that turn our attention away from GOD, and from HIS GOOD plan for us.

So let's talk about a similar situation in 1 Samuel, where David had likewise lost everything. What was his approach, and how did he get through it?

• Read 1 Samuel 30 — here are a few points I'd like to cover:

1. Acknowledge the damage, and weep:

1 Samuel 30:4 Then David and the people who were with him raised their voices and wept until they had no more strength to weep.

According to research from the Helsana platform:

Crying helps against stress: tears reduce stress hormones, lower the pulse, and normalize breathing. Crying also releases endorphins and oxytocin. These two hormones improve mood and induce well-being. They are also called "happiness hormones," which can help you see the same problem from a better perspective — much like a good night's sleep can.

John 11:35 Jesus wept.

Knowing when to cry is a sign of emotional intelligence, which can also indicate a form of empathy, especially when it comes to the suffering of others. Acknowledging the pain is a very important step toward healing.

For only the sick go to the doctor.

When Jesus heard this, he said to them, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners." (Mark 2:17)

THE BIBLE SAYS TO REJOICE WITH THOSE WHO REJOICE AND WEEP WITH THOSE WHO WEEP (Romans 12:15). THIS IS PART OF OUR CALLING AS COMFORTERS SENT BY GOD INTO A BROKEN WORLD FULL OF BROKENHEARTED PEOPLE.

2. Don't let the poison of anguish wrap around you — instead, trust GOD with a plan, relying on GOD's wisdom and resources

1 Samuel 30:6 And David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because all the people were bitter in soul, each for his sons and daughters. But David strengthened himself in the LORD his God. 7 And David said to Abiathar the priest, the son of Ahimelech, "Bring me the ephod." So Abiathar brought the ephod to David. 8 And David inquired of the LORD, "Shall I pursue after this band? Shall I overtake them?" He answered him, "Pursue, for you shall surely overtake and shall surely rescue."

Here's another perspective, with JESUS CHRIST and His first 12 DISCIPLES:

Luke 22:44 And being in agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground. 45 And when he rose from prayer, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping for sorrow, 46 and he said to them, "Why are you sleeping? Rise and pray that you may not enter into temptation."

Sorrow in hard times is like lactic acid in our muscles when we are tired — it's very human to feel bad after a loss. But staying in anguish, or worse, identifying yourself with the loss, can keep you from recovering in time what is about to be lost, or what remains.

Let's remember Joshua: THE LORD encourages him to take initiative, to have dominion for Adam, and to conquer the world for CHRIST for us believers. In this partnership, we are not passive.

Hebrews 10:37-39 "Yet a little while, and the coming one will come and will not delay; 38 but my righteous one shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him." 39 But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.

The apostle Paul says:

Ephesians 5:15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

THE WILL OF THE LORD IS FOUND WITH THE LORD, AT HIS FEET;

JESUS SAID OF MARY TO MARTHA:

41 But the Lord answered her, "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, 42 but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her." (Luke 10:41-42)

Jeremiah 33:3 Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.

Daniel 11:32b, in one translation, says:

…but the people who know their God shall stand firm and take action.

Proverbs 3:5-6

5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.

6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

THE SECRET OF OUR VICTORY IS FOUND WITH OUR LORD, THE ONE WHO SEES IN SECRET. Read Matthew 6:6.

3. Let's not forget to show the character of CHRIST on our road to victory;

Psalm 37:25 I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging for bread. 26 He is ever lending generously, and his children become a blessing.

Despite his feelings and emotional struggles, David knew how to care not only for his enemy's slave, but for the people of his own household. This act of leadership cemented his position as a leader in Israel, even before his kingship, and marked the house of Israel for generations to come;

2 Samuel 5:1 Then all the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and said, "Behold, we are your bone and flesh. 2 In times past, when Saul was king over us, it was you who led out and brought in Israel. And the LORD said to you, 'You shall be shepherd of my people Israel, and you shall be prince over Israel.'"

Often, the greatest challenges before us stand right in front of our greatest victories — such as David facing Ziklag, or OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST facing Golgotha.

But our attitude in the face of these challenges will make all the difference;

Joshua 1:7 Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go. 8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.

THE BIBLE SAYS IN Hebrews 12:1-4:

1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. 4 In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.

Here's a challenge for you. If someone else were to read your biography, and tell others about your challenges the way we did tonight for David, what would you want them to read next? A story of divine success, or of human defeat? THE LORD, WHO IS THE AUTHOR OF HUMANITY'S STORY, GIVES YOU A CHOICE RIGHT NOW: WHERE WOULD YOU LIKE TO END UP? THE DECISION IS YOURS TO MAKE TONIGHT.

📎 A PDF handout was attached to this teaching on the old site: "Message des Ami(es) d'Esther dimanche le 30 mars 2025.pdf." The original download link could not be recovered automatically — please re-upload the file from the dashboard.