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 16:26 (NLT)
Have you ever been tempted to blame others when things go wrong? I think we all struggle with this one. For some reason, we think we’ll feel better if we point the finger at someone else.
When Paul and Silas were in prison, they took a different approach and the results were astounding. They could have blamed each other for getting thrown into jail. In hindsight, I’m sure each saw what the other could have done differently.
They also could have blamed God, but instead, they chose to sing about how good God was—not a typical reaction. They had been beaten and whipped, which meant they were bruised and bleeding, likely with open wounds and broken bones. Yet they chose to express thanks. What happened next was incredible. The ground shook, every door flew open and all chains fell off. Paul and Silas were free to go.
It’s interesting that this miracle happened after Paul and Silas chose to focus on what they were thankful for instead of the hopelessness of their situation. You see, gratitude seems to have a way of ushering in the miraculous.
I don’t know what you’re facing today, but you serve an awesome God. He has given you the power to overcome absolutely anything. He will never leave you, and His love for you is so great you will never completely comprehend it. Every day, focus on how incredible He is and on how much He loves you, and you will also be set free from what holds you.