It seems that I am posting some of my favourite Scriptures this week.. might as well keep it going.
As I may have mentioned in a previous post, I have been working my way through the Book of Acts. This morning’s reading came from Acts 16…. but before the Scripture, let me ask you something…
What do you do when you’re in a jam?
What do you do when you’re having a bad day?
What do you do when nothing seems to be going your way?
Do you swear? Do you drink? Do you get mad and yell at everyone around you?
In Acts 16, Paul and Silas found themselves in a tight spot. Specifically, a jail cell.
They ended up there because Paul had commanded a spirit to come out of a girl, who was following them around.
After realizing that “their moneymaker” was no longer able to make money by predicting people’s future, the girls parents had told the authorities in charge that Paul and Sails were up to no good, and telling the Romans that they were to follow rules and regulations that they really weren't talking about. (Fake News perhaps)
After sustaining a beating, Paul and Silas were thrown into prison.
One would think that they would be upset about this.. after all, they really hadn't done anything wrong, they were just speaking the Truth about Jesus.
this brings me back to my original question.. what do you do when you're in a jam? Or, in this case, what would you do if you happened to be Paul and Silas? Would you be complaining about the situation you’re in?
Would you be calling your lawyer trying to get out?
If Paul and Silas did this, we're not told about it.
What we are told is this: Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening.” (Acts 16:25, NLT2)
That’s it. They didn’t worked up over being stuck in jail. They didn't cause a scene..(that would come later…)
They simply prayed and sang songs.
The take away— for me at least— is the next time I end up in a position I don’t want to be in is to Praise the Lord.
How might your situation change if, instead of getting mad— or even— you just took some time to sing and pray and leave it in the Lord’s hands?
Give it a try today and see how the Lord changes your perspective, as you Praise Him.
its as the song says:
Turn you 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.
May it be so, Lord.
Post Script-
The afternoon after I wrote this, I ended up in the hospital again, with the possibility of another infection.
As I was in the hospital, this verse was in my mind.
I can be honest with you when I say it works.
Instead of getting mad, upset and angry at everyone around you, you can actually do what this verse tells you to do: pray and sing a song to the Lord.
It's amazing how doing this will change your mood as well. Give it a try. It works for me, and I’m sure it will work for you.
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