This summer was... interesting. I don't want to frame it as bad, because there was a lot of good to it - and even the bad parts had good angles.
It started with my surgery, which fixed a problem, yet, created another one. They gave me a whole bunch of a certain medication without my permission, and it messed me up for the next couple of months. This included exacerbating my intrusive thoughts, which I wasn't diagnosed with till three months later.
It's hard to explain the pain and distress that one with intrusive thoughts goes through. They captivate your mind, make you feel an enormous amount of guilt, and relentlessly oppress your spirit.
At one point, the thoughts were coming so powerfully and continuously that I felt like I couldn't do anything except for trying to block them. It was hard to even think about pouring out praise or thankfulness, because I didn't even feel like I had anything to pour out besides screams.
This week though, we'll learn about how Paul and Silas praised God in the storm, in captivity, and through oppression.
As a Jesus-lover, I believe that God allows us to experience oppression and captivity for a purpose.
Paul and Silas were going through cities sharing about Jesus. In one city, Paul commanded a demon to come out of a slave, which made her masters angry. The masters falsely reported accusations about Paul and Silas to the city’s authority, causing them to be beaten and put in prison. That night, they praised God and prayed while the other prisoners listened. During that time, an earthquake shook the prison doors open and the chains free. The guard thought that everyone had escaped; however, Paul and Silas showed him that they were all still there. At that moment, the guard believed in God, and asked them how he could be saved. The missionaries went to the guard’s home, where they were taken care of by him and his family while they told them about Jesus and baptized them. Paul and Silas were set free the next day.
Three ways to praise God amidst hardships are: One, find spiritual support from others while also being there for them. Paul AND Silas were praying and worshipping God. We need others who are going through hard times, so we can encourage each other to praise God through storms. Two, remember that they create opportunities to share our faith in God. When Paul and Silas were praising and praying, it says that others were listening. This might have been the only time these people would’ve heard about Jesus. Seeing a joyful spirit in someone that shouldn’t seem to have one, can lead people to Jesus. Three, keep focused on our Heavenly mission. Even when Paul and Silas could’ve escaped, they instead shared Jesus with someone. The reason for some storms are to bring others to Jesus.
How not to praise God in storms: Continuously complain – What a different atmosphere Paul and Silas would’ve created for themselves and those around them if they had spent the night complaining. Let fear, anxiety, and anger overtake you – Try combating fear and anger by praying and praising before these emotions can take hold of how you think. Only praise God and pray when you see a way out – Paul and Silas had a praise and worship session even when the outcome seemed dim.
God’s Guidance:
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV) – “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
Acts 16:16-21 (NLT) – “One day as we were going down to the place of prayer, we met a slave girl who had a spirit that enabled her to tell the future. She earned a lot of money for her masters by telling fortunes. She followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, “These men are servants of the Most High God, and they have come to tell you how to be saved.” This went on day after day until Paul got so exasperated that he turned and said to the demon within her, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And instantly it left her. Her masters’ hopes of wealth were now shattered, so they grabbed Paul and Silas and dragged them before the authorities at the marketplace. “The whole city is in an uproar because of these Jews!” they shouted to the city officials. “They are teaching customs that are illegal for us Romans to practice.””
Acts 16:23 (NLT) – “They were severely beaten, and then they were thrown into prison. The jailer was ordered to make sure they didn’t escape.”
Acts 16:25-26 (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!”
Acts 16:29-30 (NLT) – “The jailer called for lights and ran to the dungeon and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. Then he brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?””
Acts 16:32-33 (NLT) – “And they shared the word of the Lord with him and with all who lived in his household. Even at that hour of the night, the jailer cared for them and washed their wounds. Then he and everyone in his household were immediately baptized.”
Acts 16:35 (NLT) – “The next morning the city officials sent the police to tell the jailer, “Let those men go!””
Application:
1. Read Acts 16:16-40 this week, that’s four verses each day
2. Turn on a praise and worship song as soon as feel fear, anxiety, or anger start to enter your mind
3. Share about your captivity and/or oppression to others, while also listening to any storm in their life – encourage each other to stay focused on Jesus and His mission for us
Strength Point:
God can use our times of captivity and/or oppression to bring you and others closer to Him.
Reflection Question:
What do you do when experiencing oppression or captivity?
Prayer Prompt:
Hi Jesus! Thank You for being with me in times of captivity and oppression. You know what it feels like to be bound, beaten, mocked, wrongly accused, and sentenced to death – and You went through it all to save us, to save me. I’m sorry for letting these times steal my joy, my love for You and others, and __. I want to be more like Paul and Silas, who praised You amidst fear, pain, and injustice. Teach me to trust You in these times, for I know You are moving in them and making them into a powerful testimony. Help me to show who You are and how trustworthy You are by the way I react to the storms in my life. Even at the lowest point, I pray that You would strengthen and prompt my spirit to praise You. Thank You that in praising You, my soul is revitalized. You are the Sustainer of my spirit! I love You no matter what! In Jesus’ Name, I pray, amen.
A Prayer to Pray over Others:
Hi Jesus! Thank You for being with us in times of captivity and oppression. You know what it feels like to be bound, beaten, mocked, wrongly accused, and sentenced to death – and You went through it all to save us, to save my friend. Help them to not let these times steal their joy, their love, or their hope. Create a desire in my friend to want to be like Paul and Silas, who praised You amidst fear, pain, and injustice. Teach them to trust You in these times by reminding them that You are moving and making those situations into a powerful testimony. Help my friend to show who You are and how trustworthy You are by the way they react to the storms in their life. Even at the lowest point, I pray that You would strengthen and prompt their spirit to praise You. Thank You that in praising You, our souls are revitalized. You are the Sustainer of our spirits! I love You, Lord, no matter what! In Your Name, Jesus, I pray, amen.
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