Breaking Chains

“The crowd joined in attacking them, and the magistrates tore the garments off them and gave orders to beat them with rods. And when they had inflicted many blows upon them, they threw them into prison, ordering the jailer to keep them safely. Having received this order, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks. About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone's bonds were unfastened.” - Acts 16: 22-26

In speaking with a good friend recently I was encouraged and reminded of the power of praise. He reminded me about Paul and Silas who were beaten and thrown in prison unjustly. They had every reason to be angry, to curse authority for their injustice and to carry on with the grumbling and complaining that engulfed their environment from prisoners around them. What did they do instead? They sang praises to God. Who in their right mind sings praises to God during times of calamity and confusion? Those who truly trust in Him and who know how big, mighty and great He is!

Our natural tendency during trials is to suffocate in them. We suffocate our thoughts, emotions, and potential by our issues, making them bigger than God. How can He draw close to us and do His work when we’re too busy swimming in our own self pity? The truth is that God cares about our trials, no matter how big or small they may appear. By praising Him with all our heart, mind and strength we acknowledge that Christ is bigger than our problems and that the purpose of our trials is not to get past them as quickly and comfortably as possible, but to trust in the Lord and praise Him through anything. He truly deserves it. Praising God leads to broken chains that hold us back from receiving his peace, joy and rest. God already knows the outcome and that it will work out for your good. He planned out your life and trials before you even stepped on the scene. More importantly, He’s already saved you from the biggest problem of them all if you’re a believer. He’s broken the chain of death and sin over your life. That alone demands praise and a contrite heart. So give God the glory and praise He truly deserves. Praise Him through worship and through the way you live your life, how you serve others and how you carry yourself at work. Praise Him with all your might and soul, and watch how He gloriously breaks the chains that have been holding you back.

<3, yolee

(Thanks for the reminder, Josh D.C.) :-)