Like many of you, I have experienced that stage in life when my parents were aging and my brothers and I took on the responsibility of caring for them—role reversal, if you will. My Mom’s life did not end the way I had planned. Instead of living with me after Daddy died, and traveling with me, and doing fun things together in her last years, as I had imagined, she was confined to a wheelchair with dementia, in a home where she received 24/7 care. And I simply didn’t like it.

My prayer for months was, “Lord, her quality of life is so poor; her memory doesn’t work well; just take her on home to Heaven with you.” And then, God rather abruptly reminded me that I wasn’t in charge of the number of her days; he was. I was not the one to judge her quality of life; he was. I was not the one to determine whether her latter days were worthwhile and useful; he was.

We are living in that “just a little while” that Jesus referred to in John 16—that little while between his first coming and his second. And what sometimes seems long and intolerable to us takes on a different perspective when we live in light of eternity instead of constantly focusing on the “little whiles” of our present lives.

David wrote in Psalm in Psalm 39:4:

Show me, O Lord, my life's end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting is my life.

And Moses prayed:

Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom (Psalm 90:12).

When Mom passed, God pulled back the curtains of Heaven and gave me a glimpse of how her life had been a blessing in that place where I thought her life had lost meaning. So many people told my brothers and me stories of how Mom had blessed them, just by being who she was right there in that place. The “little while” which seemed so long to me was part of God’s plan for using my Mom in a different place and a different way than I had planned.

Whatever your “little while” is looking like right now—for you or for someone you love—I want to encourage you to not to lose sight of the end of the story. “Little whiles” really don’t last forever and as Jesus told his disciples, “Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.”

Do you have forever eyes? Forever eyes give us the ability to look beyond what’s happening all around us and see what the future looks like. I think one reason people have always been fascinated with fortune-tellers is because we have a natural curiosity about what’s in store for us. We want to know what the future holds.

Well, if you are a Christ-follower, if you’ve been born from above through faith in Jesus Christ, you certainly don’t need a fortune-teller to advise you of what’s in store for you, because Jesus has left us with very clear information. In John 16 Jesus explained to his disciples that he would be leaving them soon, after his death, burial and resurrection, but in just a little while their grief at his departure would turn to joy because he promised to come back.

In John 14 he gives them words of comfort, as he encouraged them not to let their hearts be troubled. He said he was going to prepare a place for them, “And,” he said, “if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am” (John 14:3). That was his promise to them and it is his promise to us. In a little while, as measured by eternal standards, Jesus is coming back to take us to be with him. We just have to learn how to navigate this “little while” in between.

I admit, it’s not easy to look through forever eyes some days. I mean, life just swallows you up at times, and the cares and concerns of everyday life seem to come over you like waves from a tsunami, don’t they? I know—I’ve been there often, but lately I’ve been focusing my mind on the fact that Jesus says “in a little while” my joy will be complete because I’ll be with him.

You probably know the familiar old song we’ve sung for years: “Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in his wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim, In the light of his glory and grace.” It’s truly a simple thing to do—not always easy, but simple. Just turn your eyes on Jesus. Think about his love for you; think about what he’s done for you. Remember that someday you will see him face to face and your faith will turn to sight!

Hang in there, because in just a little while your joy will be full again. Jesus endured the cross and its shame for you and me; let’s be faithful to endure this “little while” in victory and peace as good soldiers of Jesus.

How many times as parents have we said to our children, “In just a little while”? They want something now and we keep advising them that they’ll have to wait “a little while,” and of course that never seems to satisfy them. “In a little while” sounds like forever to them.

Jesus gave us an admonition also. In one of his last conversations with his disciples, which we find recorded in John 16, Jesus said, “In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me.”

This totally confused the disciples, and they questioned among themselves what Jesus meant. Knowing their confusion, Jesus went on to say to them: “A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born, she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world. So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy” (John 16:21-23).

We are living today in this “little while” that Jesus referred to. It’s the time between when Jesus first came to earth and then after his death, burial and resurrection, returned to the Father, and the time he has promised to come again and we will join him in his righteous kingdom. And this “little while” is exactly that in light of eternity. It’s a blink of the eye compared to endless time when we will be with Jesus. But oh my, it seems long to us sometimes, doesn’t it?

What is burdening you down right now? What is sapping your joy and your strength? What is giving you that run-away feeling, causing you discouragement and grief? I want to remind you that in just a little while this little time will end and if you are a Christ-follower and you’ve been born into God’s family by faith in Jesus Christ, you will again rejoice and no one can take away that joy—in just a little while.

So, focus your eyes on eternity, don’t let the enemy of your soul beat you down, because it’s just a little while until we will see Jesus and we will rejoice again.

Does life seem just too hard to endure sometimes? Let’s face it, we live in a sin-cursed world and both in our personal lives and in our society, we see trouble of all kinds. I find myself sometimes just sighing and shaking my head and wondering what’s going to happen next. Can it possibly get worse? Life is just hard for so many people.

But I’m encouraged by what Jesus told his disciples on the night before he died. Things looked pretty bad to them, too, you know. The man they had committed their lives to was not bringing about the political change that they expected. They thought he would overthrow Rome, they would have their country back to themselves, Jesus would be King and of course, they would be his right-hand men. Listen to what Jesus told them, from John 16:16-19:

Jesus went on to say, “In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me.” At this, some of his disciples said to one another, “What does he mean by saying, ‘In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me,’ and ‘Because I am going to the Father’?” They kept asking, “What does he mean by ‘a little while’? We don’t understand what he is saying.” Jesus saw that they wanted to ask him about this, so he said to them, “Are you asking one another what I meant when I said, ‘In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me’?

Well, they just didn’t get it. They wanted Jesus to move on their timetable, which was NOW, and Jesus was saying “in a little while.” To them, that was not acceptable.

As I thought about this, I realized how much I am like those disciples. I so often just don’t get it! Why are things going from bad to worse? Why are so many people I know going through such deep waters? Why—no doubt the most frequent question that bombards Heaven.

But Jesus said, “In a little while.” To us, “not now” seems like eternity. But God does not measure time as we do, and in the light of eternity, we are living in “a little while,” and it won’t last forever. This phrase—in a little while—has been resonating in my head for days, and it so encourages me.

The Bible often reinforces this idea that we are to bloom where we are planted. When the Apostle Paul said we should learn to be content no matter what our circumstances (Philippians 4:11), he was saying “Bloom where you are planted.” When Jesus said not to worry about tomorrow because tomorrow would take care of itself (Matthew 6:34), he was saying “Bloom where you are planted.” In writing to the Corinthian Christians, Paul said, “Nevertheless, each person should live as a believer in whatever situation the Lord has assigned to them, just as God has called them” (1 Corinthians 7:17). He was admonishing those new believers to bloom where they were planted.

Recently I had an opportunity to talk to a senior citizen, Betty, in her late 80’s, who is blooming where she is planted. Betty is a widow and a mom of three grown children and lots of grandchildren. She is a Jesus-lover from way back, and at this stage in her life, she is finding creative ways to reach out to others with the love of Jesus.

Betty’s husband died after a very long illness where she was his main caregiver. So she spent many years simply taking care of his needs. Now that she lives alone and is still driving, she has found a way to continue to share the love of Jesus with others. She goes to the grocery store every day. She said, “That way I don’t have heavy bags to carry if I just get a few things each day. And then, I just go up and down the aisles of the store, to see who God puts in my path that day.”

Betty uses her daily trips to the grocery store as a way to meet people, to offer encouragement, to pray for people, and to let them know that Jesus loves them. Almost every day she has an opportunity to speak to someone—mostly strangers—and simply offer a moment of caring and concern. She has story after story of the people she has met in this way, and how blessed she is to have this ministry.

Betty didn’t complain about the effects of growing older, or the fact that she was alone now, or the aches and pains that occur as you age. She is just blooming where she is, bringing joy and a ray of hope to many people who just happen to shop for groceries where she does.

What does it mean to “bloom where you are planted”? Let’s just break that down word by word. It begins with the word “bloom” which is a verb—an action word—and it implies that you have to be intentional about this. Blooming means producing something beautiful. So, the first word—bloom—is a directive, something you must do.

For those of us who are Christ-followers, the Bible says we are in the process of being conformed to the image of Jesus Christ. In other words, if you have made that decision to put your trust in Christ and have been born from above through the forgiveness of your sins and the acceptance of his free gift of righteousness, you have the privilege to become more and more like Jesus. To think like him, talk like him, act like him, have his attitudes, his compassion, his love. And this transformation is possible because we have the Spirit of Christ living within us—that’s how we know we have been born from above.

So, we are empowered to bloom because of the Holy Spirit within us, but the truth is, we must cooperate with the Spirit. We must be intentional about “blooming.” Throughout the New Testament, believers are admonished to do their part in this blooming process—in this transformation that should be taking place within us. For instance, Paul wrote to the Ephesians, “I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received” (Ephesians 4:1). And to the Christians in Colossae he said, “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him” (Colossians 2:6).

You and I must be willing to bloom and that means we must nourish our lives with the bread of life, with God’s Word, with fellowship and Bible teaching—all the things th...

What is your impossibility? What are you up against that has you totally defeated? The story about Jehoshaphat, the king of Judah, found in 2 Chronicles 20, is wonderful because it gives some important principles to follow when we don’t know what to do. Do you really want to let God take control? If so, follow Jehoshaphat's plan and begin by:

Reciting out loud who God is.

Remembering what he has done for you.

Recalling his promises to you.

Restating the problem, spelling it out.

Releasing it to God's solution.

Rejoicing that he has already heard and answered.

The seventh R - Rest

Now, there's one more R that is the result of following this formula.

"And the kingdom of Jehoshaphat was at peace, for his God had given him rest on every side." (2 Chronicles 20:30).

Are you in need of some rest? Are you tired of trying to fight your own battles? Are you weary of losing them? Maybe it's time you followed Jehoshaphat's example and release the problem to God and let him fight the battle for you. You do have to show up; you do have to obey; you do have to march to the battlefield. But you don't have to fight. It's God's fight, not yours. But first you must let go and give him control.

I want you to know that I practice these seven R's frequently, and when I do, I always find it gives me guidance and strength. It's a great way to endure in the midst of a difficult situation. But mostly, it's a great way to show God that you trust him.

(Click here to download the Seven R's reminder card.)

(Click here to download the message for the entire week.)

If you’re up against a brick wall right now, there are some important principles from 2 Chronicles 20 to give you direction. We’re looking at seven R’s from Jehoshaphat’s prayer. The first was recite who God is, then, remember what he has done, third, recall his promise, then fourth, restate the problem to God.

The fifth R - Release the problem to God.

As soon as Jehoshaphat lays out the problem to the Lord, he releases it to him.

"We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you” (2 Chronicles 20:12b).

He admits his total inability to solve the problem. He doesn't pretend to have any answers. But he simply says, "Lord, here it is. It's your problem, not mine."

That's what Jesus meant when he invited us to exchange our heavy burden for his light burden. Just dump them at his feet in recognition of our own inability to do anything about them. That is releasing the problem to God's care. It is evidence that we trust him.

The sixth R - Rejoice in God's salvation.

After his prayer, a prophet rose up and said, "Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's... Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you" (2 Chronicles 20:13b-17).

That word of encouragement did not come until Jehoshaphat had released the problem to God. When you and I keep holding on, complaining and worrying and trying to fix things ourselves, we hold back God's plan of deliverance. He's waiting to see your act of faith, which must come before the deliverance.

The next day, as they sat out to face this impossible enemy, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the Lord and to praise him for the splendor of his holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying: "Give thanks to the Lord, for his love endures forever.”

They were praising God for the victory even before it was accomplished. And when they reached the battlefield, all they found were dead bodies lying on the ground; the enemies became confused and killed each other. Jehoshaphat’s army didn't even have to fight. They had to show up; they had to obey God; they had to face the enemy; they had to claim the victory in advance. But once they got there, the fight was over.

(Click here to download the Seven R's reminder card.)

The third R -  Recall God's promises.

Notice that next Jehoshaphat recalls God's promises to the children of Israel. He says:

"If calamity comes upon us...we will stand in your presence before this temple that bears your Name and will cry out to you in our distress, and you will hear us and save us" (2 Chronicles 20:9).

The Bible has promises there just for you, did you know that? Have you learned to turn to God's Word and ask for a promise when you face an impossible situation?

I remember when I first started this ministry on one station in the Chicago area in 1984. As it began to grow, I was frightened; I knew how inadequate and inexperienced I was. And I really wanted to back out. But I couldn't deny that God had opened the doors in a miraculous way.

So, I sat down with my Bible and asked God to confirm his calling with a promise. From Isaiah 50 God gave me this promise:

"The Sovereign Lord has given me an instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. . .  Because the Sovereign Lord helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore have I set my face like flint, and I know I will not be put to shame" (Isaiah 50: 4a, 7b).

Many times, I've gone back to that promise and it has sustained me and strengthened me time and time again. Do you need a promise from God right now? You’ll find it in his Word.

The fourth R – Re-state the problem to God.

Now, Jehoshaphat restates his problem. He prays:

"But now here are men from Ammon, Moab and Mount Seir, whose territory you would not allow Israel to invade when they came from Egypt; so they turned away from them and did not destroy them. See how they are repaying us by coming to drive us out of the possession you gave us as an inheritance. O our God, will you not judge them? For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us" (2 Chronicles 20:10-12a).

The sequence is extremely important. You restate the problem after you have recited who God is, remembered what he has done and recalled his promises to you. Then you're ready to focus on the problem because you're then God-centered instead of self-centered.

(Click here to download the Seven R's reminder card.)

What do you do when you don’t know what to do? In 2 Chronicles 20 where Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, had to fight a vast enemy army and from all outward appearances, his army was going to be soundly defeated.

When Jehoshaphat realized he didn’t know what to do, he called all the people together and prayed for God’s help. From his prayer I want to point out seven R's that I hope you'll remember, because this shows you what to do when you don’t know what to do.

The first R - Recite who God is

Jehoshaphat prayed:

"You are the God who is in heaven. You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. Power and might are in your hand and no one can withstand you” (2 Chronicles 20:6).

Jehoshaphat's first move was to remind himself and his people of God and his power. And it has to be our first move, too. We must have an in-depth knowledge of the nature of God. That means we must get to know God. Are you able to recite the nature and character of God? Is it firmly established in your heart and mind? When there are no answers, you must begin by reciting who God is.

The second R - Remember God's great works

Jehoshaphat’s prayer continues:

"Did you not drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel and give it forever to the descendants of Abraham your friend?” (2 Chronicles 20:7).

Isn't it amazing how your memory goes on you when you're in a crisis or when you're discouraged? It takes an act of your will to remember what you should remember. But it's important at these times that you purposely remember God's past miracles in your life, his faithfulness to you in days gone by, his deeds of old, as Jehoshaphat did. That's important to remember when you don’t know what to do.

(Click here to download the Seven R's reminder card.)

Quiero mostrarte de la Palabra de Dios qué hacer cuando no sabes qué hacer. Todos tenemos esos momentos en nuestras vidas cuando estamos contra esa pared de ladrillos y no tenemos idea de cómo lidiar con eso. Bueno, esos son los momentos en que necesitamos saber qué hacer, ¡cuando no sabemos qué hacer!

¿Recuerdas la historia que se encuentra en 2 Crónicas 20, donde Josafat se enfrentaba a una guerra con un grupo de enemigos que sin duda podrían borrarlo del mapa? Era un rey piadoso de Judá, y cuando se dio cuenta de que este vasto ejército marchaba hacia él, se alarmó, ¡se atemorizó, se preocupó! ¿Quién no lo estaría? Pero tan pronto como vio su situación, "resolvió consultar al Señor y proclamó ayuno para todo Judá".

Observa cómo respondió a una crisis: resolvió consultar al Señor. ¿Qué es lo primero que haces cuando te enfrentas a un enemigo abrumador de algún tipo? Podría ser un enemigo de las relaciones o un enemigo financiero o un enemigo del desempleo o un enemigo de la salud; vienen en todos los tipos y tamaños. Lo más probable es que tu primera reacción emocional sea alarmarte; eso es de esperarse. Pero, ¿qué te hace hacer esa alarma?

A menudo, lo primero que hago es planificar mi pelea. Cualquiera que sea el problema, empiezo a pensar cómo puedo ganar esta batalla. Puedo hacer esto o aquello; Puedo hablar con esta persona o con aquella; Puedo tirar de esta cuerda o de otra. ¡Seguramente hay algo que puedo hacer para arreglar esta situación y arreglarla rápido! Así que empiezo a elaborar mi plan de batalla.

Josafat sabía más. Recordó primero "consultar al Señor". ¿Cuál es tu misión imposible hoy, tu persona imposible, tu montaña demasiado alta para escalar? ¿Ya le has pedido al Señor que te guíe? ¿O estás luchando, trabajando y angustiándote para idear tu propio plan de batalla para poder resolver ese problema?

Simplemente detente donde estás y consulta al Señor. Eso significa decirle que confías en él, que crees que es más inteligente que tú y que admites que tus ideas generalmente empeoran las cosas en lugar de resolverlas. Entonces, en lugar de pelear tu batalla, vas a preguntarle al Señor qué hacer. Ese es el primer paso importante.