What To Do in the Face of Fear - Encouragement for Today - July 23, 2026

July 23, 2026

What To Do in the Face of Fear
LYSA TERKEURST

Lee en español

“Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the LORD, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah.” 2 Chronicles 20:3 (NIV)

Nothing tests our trust like fear.

The worry over what the doctor will say when he finally calls back.
The shock and pain of watching your child make detrimental choices.
The late-night pacing as you try to figure out how you’re ever going to pay those bills that keep mounting higher and higher.

We’re all going to face circumstances that stir up feelings of doubt and fear. It's what we do with those feelings that matters.

Thankfully, the life of one of my favorite kings to study, King Jehoshaphat, offers us wisdom about what to do in the face of fear. His story is found in tucked-away parts of Scripture, but what I really love is his absolute resolve to trust in the Lord.

Even though he made a questionable alliance when his son married the wicked King Ahab’s daughter, Scripture teaches us that Jehoshaphat was a good king overall who walked in the ways of King David. Rather than seeking false gods, Jehoshaphat sought after the Lord; therefore, God was with him (2 Chronicles 17:4-6).

Of course, this doesn’t mean Jehoshaphat never faced fear-inducing situations.

In 2 Chronicles 20, we find three countries banded together, forming a massive army, to attack Jehoshaphat’s much smaller country of Judah. If ever there were a time for a king to fall apart, this would have been it. But Jehoshaphat didn’t.

I am both inspired and challenged by how he chose to react to his overwhelming circumstances: “Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the LORD, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah” (2 Chronicles 20:3).

Do you see how King Jehoshaphat’s name is bookended in two realities: “alarmed” and “resolved”? He had both feelings of alarm, which were a natural human response to his threatening situation, and a supernatural resolve to inquire of the Lord. The resolve was a predetermined pattern, built over time, that emerged naturally as the feelings of alarm rose within him.

I want this for my life. I want my resolve to inquire of the Lord to be my first response, not my last resort. But to be honest with you, I think I still need some work in this area.

When I get caught off guard, stunned by threatening circumstances in the world, or unexpectedly wounded by a hurtful statement, I can literally feel my body being overrun with a flood of emotions. Based on conversations with friends of mine who have different personalities, it seems like each of us has a go-to feeling that rises up and wants to take over in threatening situations. Like anger that wants to come out swinging, fear that wants to shrink back and disappear, or confusion that wants to talk it out and restore peace quickly, just to name a few.

Though seeking the Lord doesn’t always come naturally as my first response, it is the only way to infuse supernatural strength into my resolve. The more I turn to the Lord in daily struggles, the more natural it is to return to Him in times of unexpected trouble.

Does this mean I’ll never wrestle with feelings of fear? Of course not. But I’m learning that while we sometimes feel afraid, we don’t have to live afraid. We can be alarmed and resolved at the same time. We can let our declaration mirror Jehoshaphat’s words to God in 2 Chronicles 20:12: “We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you” (NIV).

Dear Lord, thank You for reminding me that fear doesn’t have to pull me away from trusting in You. Fear can actually be the catalyst for me choosing to trust You more than ever. Today I’m choosing to fix my eyes and my hope on You. You are the God who is for me, who is with me, and who loves me without end. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

OUR FAVORITE THINGS

There’s a certain kind of exhaustion that comes from trying to hold too much together. It can look like stepping in again and again to fix what someone else left undone, replaying conversations to manage how you’re perceived, or taking on the responsibility for outcomes that were never yours to carry. And even when you know it’s not sustainable, letting go can feel surprisingly hard. But what if the struggle isn’t just about circumstances — but about something deeper underneath the need to step in? If you’re ready to explore that question with honesty and hope, Lysa TerKeurst created a five-day devotional called The Hidden Cause of Control Issues to help you do just that. Sign up for free today!

ENGAGE

Find everyday encouragement when you connect with Lysa TerKeurst here on Instagram.

FOR DEEPER STUDY

2 Chronicles 20:15, “He said: ‘Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the LORD says to you: “Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s”’” (NIV).

What is causing you to feel alarmed in your life right now? How does this verse and the example of King Jehoshaphat help encourage your heart? We’d love to hear from you today in the comments.

© 2026 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.

Proverbs 31 Ministries
P.O. Box 3189
Matthews, NC 28106
www.Proverbs31.org