What do you do when you go through a tough time? It is a natural tendency to strike out at the negative situation, and grumble and complain the whole time of the experience.
Would you have done what Paul and Silas did, while they were placed in a prison at Philippi? They had their robes tore off them, and they were beaten with rods (inflicted with many blows) and thrown into prison, (their feet fastened in stocks) (Acts 16:23-24).
Instead of grumbling, and complaining, and focusing on the negative state they were in; they began to pray and to sing hymns of praise. You ask: How could you pray, and thank God for being in a situation like that?
Paul and Silas knew the key to dealing with negative situations.
When you give praise to God, you take the focus off the negative, and place it on the positive. When we count our blessings, it takes the sting of worry, and discouragement out of our hearts.
And secondly, it helps us to focus on (not the problem) but the problem solver-God. Just as God brought us through tough times before, He will do it again. And we give thanks for the love, and faithfulness of God.
And third: Luke wanted his readers to note, as Paul and Silas were praying and singing praises to God, the other prisoners were listening. What an opportunity to be a witness for God.
Yes God is with us at the midnight hour, when all is not right. But the best thing, at all times, is that God is with us! GP
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