And it came to pass, when David and his men were come to Ziklag on the third day, that the Amalekites had invaded the south, and Ziklag, and smitten Ziklag, and burned it with fire; And had taken the women captives, that were therein: they slew not any, either great or small, but carried them away, and went on their way.  So David and his men came to the city, and, behold, it was burned with fire; and their wives, and their sons, and their daughters, were taken captives.  Then David and the people that were with him lifted up their voice and wept, until they had no more power to weep.  And David's two wives were taken captives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite.  And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God. 1 Samuel 30:1-6

David was in big trouble!  The Amalekites had invaded. During David's absence, they had burned the city of Ziklag, taken the women and children captive and were gone.  David and those with him were overcome with grief.  They all wept until they were exhausted, physically, mentally and spiritually.  The people were so grieved they spoke of actually killing David.blaming him for the events of the day.  David's back was to the wall.

Perhaps you have been or are in a similar predicament. Is your back against the wall today?  Maybe the bills are mounting and there is no way seen to quash the outflow of resources.  Perhaps an illness is threatening, or is currently sapping your energy.  Perhaps the effect of your illness is not known, or worse.the outcome is "certain".  Might be that one or more of your children is rejecting GOD.  Perhaps they have not come to a saving faith in Jesus.  Perhaps, previously, they trusted the LORD, but now are living lifestyles that you did not teach.  The predicament could be anything.or everything.  The troubles and trials can seem so big that they seem to swallow you alive.

It can seem that in the days and times that are dark, GOD is silent.  As the silence grows other thoughts arise.  "GOD doesn't really love me", "He really doesn't care", "I'm being punished for my sins", "I did a terrible job raising my, children.it's my fault they are in trouble", "God does things for others, but I'm not good enough, it doesn't work for me", or "everyone else seems to have it together, understand the LORD and live a happy and fruitful life.everyone but me.maybe I should just forget about serving the LORD at all, this just doesn't work"!

Are you in a panic?  What about David?  What did he do?  Panic?  David may have thought all the same kind of thoughts that we do but the scripture states that David encouraged himself in the LORD his GOD.

Are you still in a panic?  You are not the only one!  Peter panicked.

And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away.  And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.  But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.  And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.  And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.  But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.  And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.  And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.  But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.  And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?  And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased.  Matthew 14:22-32

Peter panicked and did something foolish.  Peter, having already walked on the water with Jesus, took his eyes from Jesus and focused on the peril in which he was surrounded.  We tend to do the same thing. 

As the fear and panic sets in remember what the LORD undertook to redeem you.  Remember, He knew everything about you and still went to Calvary.  He is interested in you.  He is working with you to produce the fruits of the Spirit in you.  You will produce a crop of love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance.  You are His property.  He has sealed you with His Spirit.

Panic is not he answer.  Scripture tells us to rejoice in trials (temptations) and tribulations.  GOD is in control.

Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: 1 Peter 1:6-7

My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;  Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.  But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.  James 1:2-4

And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope:  Romans 5:3-4

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.  Romans 8:28

To actually always believe these scriptures might be easy to say but very hard to do at times.  So.how then do we endeavor to persevere?  What did David do?  He encouraged himself in the LORD his GOD.  What in the world does that mean?  How do you encourage yourself in the LORD your GOD?  It might seem backward, but, look away from the problems and trials and focus on who GOD is, what He does and what He promises.  Be encouraged that GOD loves you, cares about you and will never leave you.  He is there.  He knows what you are going through.  Believe it.it is true.

Follow the example of David.  David was greatly distressed by the circumstances but he concentrated on his GOD.  Read what David thought about his GOD.

Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.  Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;  Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.  The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.  He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel.  The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.  He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger forever.  He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.  For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.  As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.  Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.  For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.  As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.  For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.  But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children; To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them.  The LORD hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.  Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.  Bless ye the LORD, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure.  Bless the LORD, all his works in all places of his dominion: bless the LORD, O my soul.  Psalm 103