“What’s Your Prison Cell?”

“They were severely beaten, and then they were thrown into prison. The jailer was ordered to make sure they didn’t escape. So the jailer put them into the inner dungeon and clamped their feet in the stocks. 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!” Acts 16:23-26 (NLT)

Could You Sing In Prison?

I am thankful to be in a place in my life, where I find myself singing hymns and praising God not in just the good times, but mostly in tough times. Everytime I read about Paul, it blows my mind. It truly amazes me at how he and Silas sang hymns to God while in a prison cell. I found myself thinking this week about this. Could I do this? Could I pray if I were placed in such a place as this?

Then it hit me. Everybody has a “prison cell.” Mine and yours might not be a literal prison but what we feel in our suffering is so strong. The enemy doesn’t want us to pray, praise Him, or find joy. He wants us to fear and doubt.

The Way I Think About God

So the way I think about God now is very different. When I am in a place I don’t want to be, I think about who He is, what He is capable of, and the things my eyes have seen Him do. My all time favorite is to see Him work in my waiting. Paul had faith and he chose to sing. Although I wasn’t blessed with a beautiful voice, it doesn’t stop me from singing.

Praising God in my suffering is the first thing I have learned to do over the last six years. I have seen it work. I remember like it was yesterday, the first time I understood this and the impact it made on me. I sang, “He Is Sovereign Over Us.” It is a moment that sends chills from head to toe when I think back and relive the feeling I felt the first time I did this.

“The LORD has made everything for his own purposes, even the wicked for a day of disaster.” Proverbs 16:4 (NLT)

Go Ahead!

So whatever your “prison cell” is, remember God is in authority so go ahead and praise Him. When you feel like your life is spinning out of control, sing and give thanks. Let Him be your strength. The way we think about God should be different as we grow in our relationship with Him.

“And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” Revelation 21:5 (ESV)

Counting My Blessings,

Susan Browder

You may be interested in this post also:

https://www.treadingwatertiljesuscomes.com/2017/08/04/open-prison-doors/ by Freda Reynolds from August 4, 2017.