Devotional Thought

Paul and Silas were preaching the gospel when they were arrested and thrown into prison. Despite their dire situation, they chose to pray and sing hymns instead of complaining and becoming despondent. This may seem counterintuitive to some, but it highlights the wisdom of winning a spiritual battle.

When faced with challenging circumstances, it’s essential to take actions that contradict the situation. We shouldn’t allow the enemy to dictate our mood or control our feelings. No matter what happens, we should take the opposite action and choose joy over despair.

It’s natural to feel depressed during difficult times, but those who know the wisdom of winning maintain their joy in the face of affliction. We mustn’t allow oppression to turn into depression, as our victory is assured as long as our joy remains intact. Even if we are barren, we can still sing and rejoice in God as He calls us to do so.

Prayer and praise are powerful tools in moving heaven. We present our needs to God when we pray, while praise presents a rejoicing heart. Praise says that even if God hasn’t answered our prayers the way we wanted, we will still celebrate Him because He is worthy, regardless of our circumstances. When we combine prayer and praise, the walls of our metaphorical prison shake and angels rise in response.

The lesson from Paul and Silas is that we must always maintain our joy and trust in God, even in the darkest times. By taking the opposite action to what we feel, we can break down the walls of our prisons and experience the freedom that comes with spiritual victory.

Prayer Starter

Lord, I thank you, because you are always in control; I shall not submit to the enemy’s oppression. I praise you in Jesus’ name.

Let’s Talk About It

How do you navigate through your challenging season?