We all have them: troubles. But something inside of us tells us that we are not live in troubles, right? Right. But how are we to deal with them? Surely, there are things beyond our control. Yes, true, but some things are withon our control, and - and this is the really good news - we can get the One who controls what is outside our control involved to turn things around! Consider the following.
Paul and Silas were falsely accused, severelybeaten and innocently thrown into prison (Acts 16:22ff). They weren't criminals, they simply expressed the freedom of religion they enjoyed at the time. Some didn't like it and sought to stop them - and they did, temporarily... Paul and Silas were chained up with their feet in the stocks. Circumstrances beyond their power had limited and shut them down. It wasn't their fault; and it lay outside their power to change things. Yet what was their response to the trouble they were in? That is the crucial issue!
Instead of complaining to God and feeling sorry for themselves, they were cheerful and praised God - yes, in prison! And please remember, these were not modern prisons with colour TV, on-suite bathroom, choice of food, daily pocket money, etc; these were tough place you didn't want to end up in. It's simple: being miserable in bad circumstances makers everything even worse (even if you think it couldn't get any worse - it can, be mebing miserable!) Beign cheerful, on the other hand, does make you feel better - even if circumstances won't change - and, beyond that, this kind of praise gets the One involved who is in control of circumstances beyond our power! Paul and Silas got God Almighty involved who turned their circumstances around and brought freedom adn justice to the situation. You can call on the same God to help you - the God who can change what is beyond our control as He is above all things.
Paul and Silas were falsely accused, severelybeaten and innocently thrown into prison (Acts 16:22ff). They weren't criminals, they simply expressed the freedom of religion they enjoyed at the time. Some didn't like it and sought to stop them - and they did, temporarily... Paul and Silas were chained up with their feet in the stocks. Circumstrances beyond their power had limited and shut them down. It wasn't their fault; and it lay outside their power to change things. Yet what was their response to the trouble they were in? That is the crucial issue!
But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God, and the prisoners were listening to them; and suddenly there came a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison house were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone's chains were unfastened.
Instead of complaining to God and feeling sorry for themselves, they were cheerful and praised God - yes, in prison! And please remember, these were not modern prisons with colour TV, on-suite bathroom, choice of food, daily pocket money, etc; these were tough place you didn't want to end up in. It's simple: being miserable in bad circumstances makers everything even worse (even if you think it couldn't get any worse - it can, be mebing miserable!) Beign cheerful, on the other hand, does make you feel better - even if circumstances won't change - and, beyond that, this kind of praise gets the One involved who is in control of circumstances beyond our power! Paul and Silas got God Almighty involved who turned their circumstances around and brought freedom adn justice to the situation. You can call on the same God to help you - the God who can change what is beyond our control as He is above all things.
This afflicated man cried, and the LORD heard him and saved him out of all his troubles.
--Psalm 34:6
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