Beaten Down But Still Positive!

"So they set the crowd against them and the officials tore the clothes off Paul and Silas and ordered them to be flogged. And after inflicting many blows on them, they threw them into prison, charging the jailer to guard them safely. About midnight, Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening." - Acts of the Apostles 16:22-25

That last part of the passage doesn't quite fit with the rest, does it? How could Paul and Silas have been beaten and jailed for preaching about Jesus and yet have the joy to sing to God while in handcuffs? If it were me, I would be mad and asking God how could this be where He's led me after what I did for Him! Right after this, God made it so that both Paul and Silas escaped jail and converted one of the prison guards. But most of us never get to see the good God brings out of negative situations because we're so stuck on being mad and not seeing past the now. Paul and Silas didn't have this problem… yes, they were beaten, life is tough… they were put in jail, but at the end of the day, their faith told them that God would help them and bring something good out of their problem Therefore, why get mad? Why get pessimistic? If you really have faith in God, then through your problems, you should be singing praise to God.

God saw Paul and Silas' complete trust in Him and because of that, rescued them and allowed them to bring the faith to someone new. Why don't you apply this to your life today? Instead of being upset, have an attitude of hope and wait for His deliverance.

Today's Prayer:
Jesus, sometimes things in my life beat me up. I have arguments with people and things don't always turn out in my favor. But despite all of these things, I give You thanks because no matter how bad things seem, You have me in the palm of Your hand, with my best intentions at heart. In Your Name we pray, amen.