What to do in difficult circumstances?
Acts 16:25-27(NLT) Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening. Suddenly, there was a massive earthquake, and the prison was shaken to its foundations. All the doors immediately flew open, and the chains of every prisoner fell off! The jailer woke up to see the prison doors wide open. He assumed the prisoners had escaped, so he drew his sword to kill himself.
In times of trouble, we see that Paul and Silas were praying and singing. They did not focus on their pain and circumstances but focused on God. They knew that God is greater than their problems.
So, in times of trouble, learn to pray and praise God for your victory.
- Pray
Even at the deepest points of our suffering and grief, God promises that He will draw near to us when we pray and ask Him for help. And when we feel like there are no words for our suffering, Scripture tells us that the Holy Spirit translates the cries of our hearts:
Romans 8:26(GNT) In the same way the Spirit also comes to help us, weak as we are. For we do not know how we ought to pray; the Spirit himself pleads with God for us in groans that words cannot express.
When we face difficult times, God invites us to bring our pain, grief, anger, and anxiety to Him in prayer.
Philippians 4:6-7(GNT) Don’t worry about anything, but in all your prayers ask God for what you need, always asking him with a thankful heart. And God’s peace, which is far beyond human understanding, will keep your hearts and minds safe in union with Christ Jesus.
2 Sing praises to God
Praising God in times of hardship and difficulty, is like a sweet-smelling aroma before God. If we can understand that no matter what we go through, God is faithful, then our hardships will lead us to praise Him more. Circumstances do not change God; God changes circumstances.
While Paul and Silas were praising and worshipping God, their chains were loosed, and those of the other prisoners who were with them. As you start praising God, may the chains of your debts and pain be loosed in the name of Jesus Christ.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18(NLT) Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
Romans 5:3-5(NLT) We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.
Praying and praising God is such a joy. Knowing that He is above all things gives us comfort, in knowing that everything is going to be okay.
Today, decide to pray and praise God during your difficulties, and wait with expectation for God’s divine intervention in your life.